Year: 1864

cohtasned what purports.to oe an A'u'Ies'
of the Democratic State Central Com
mittee to the People Of Indiana, signed by
j. j. Bingham. Chairman.


As this document is Of an extraordinary
character. deem it my duty to warm tho
people against the consequences which il
seems intended to produce. To prevent
any charge of misconstruction on my
part. here quote it in the exact words as
it appeared in the Sentinel:


ADDRESS.


In view Of the excitement Of the public
mind. arising from the perilous condition
of the country, and especially from the
late call of the President for 500 900 men
to be drafted on the 9th of September
next. if not before voluntarily enlisted in
to the military service of the United
States, the Democratic State Central
Committee. expressing as they believe the
opinions and purposes of the Dem ocracy
of the State, have deemed it proper
publicly to declare


Fnst--That while lit is the well considered
and inhexible purpose of the Democratic
party of this State. acting in concert with
all patriotic citizens who respect the
purity Of the ballot and desire the public
good to maintain by force, if need be and
at all hazards. the right of the people to
free and fair elections, we condemn any
attempt at resistance of the laws. before
constitutional remedies are exhausted, and
earnestly advise all men to abide patiently
the action Of the chosen representatives of
the Democratic party at Chicago. on the
29th of August. looking forward to the
coming election for peaceful and
constitutional redress of grievances more
etfectual than violence.


Second-In times of public peril like
the present, and in view of what are
believed to be well founded apprehensions
of attempts on the part Of those in
authority to interfere hy military power
with the freedom Of elections. patriotism
and prudence alike demand that the
constitutional right Of the people to keep
and bear arms "a necessary means Of
defense to free State. should not be
violated nor abandoned; and it is the ri ght
aud duty of all good citizens to cooperate
in open lawful organiz atoms for the
protection of the freedom Of elections, and
for the preservation of peace and constitu
tional order and the rights of the people
within the State, as well as for its defence
against invasion, and we especially
recommend to the people in oil their
counties. townships and election precincts
thorough organization for these ends.


Third manifest inequalities exist
in the assignments of quotas to the
different States, under the late call for
800 900 men. which have created the
belief that there has been an unfair
discrimination in favor of certain Eastern
States to the pre- ju lice of Indiana and
other States, this committee has assumed
the duty of ascertaining by application to
Governor Norton. Aaintant General
Noble, Provost Marshal Baker or other
proper authorities. the grounds of such
inequalities. and whether or not they are
in accordance with law and can BE-
lemedcd Bv order of the Committee.


j. J. BINGHAM, Chairman.


The second clause declares that, in
view Of what are believed to be well
founded apprehensions of attempts by
those in authority to interfere with the
freedom Of elections, recommends a
thorough military organization OF the peo-
PIE in all the counties. towns and election
precincts, and sdvises all TO exercise their
right in keeping and bearing
arms.


The assumption that there is well
founded apprehension that those in
authority in this State will interfere by
military power with the freedom of
elections is absolutely and wickedly false.
There is not one fact upon which such an
apprehension can be based; not a cir
cumstances can be referred to in the
political or military history of the State
during the existence of this war, justifying
or suggesting the charge. 1t is true that
tnis charge has been made before, but
always without an element Of truth, for
the simple purpose of exciting and goad-
ing the people into illegal. disloyal and
dangerous organizations, and demonstra-
tions against Federal and State authority


So far as my administration is con-
cernel. | can safely defy the authors OF
this documen. to point to single act
giving color to this wicked and infamous
charge, or to show single instance in
which | have failed to exercise the
Executive power for the protection Of
persons and property. and social and civil
rights. without regard to parties or
poIt,cG While serving as the Governor
of Indiana, | have endeavored to act for
the whole people and not for party. and
shall so continue. regardless of all assaults
or aspersions; at the same time | shall
not hesitate to vindic..te Legitimate
authority. no difference under what pre-
tence or by what method it may be
assailed. SO far as the approaching
elections are concerned. they shall. to the
extent Of the power vested in me. be open
and free. and every legitimate voter be
protected in the unrestrained and deliberate
exercise of the elective franchise. This is
my purpose. nor has there ever been any
reason to doubt it. and cannot. under
the pretence that am about to violate my
duty, tolerate the formation of any
dangerous or illegal military or
CARNATIONS, the true purpose If which is
to resist the State and Tsleral authority,
overawe the people. control the elections.
and thus accomplish the very thing against
which it is hypocri,ically pretended they