Year: 1862

st;tution and most alarming acts of usurpation of
power, which should receive the stern rebuke Of
every lover Of his country and of every man vino
prizes the security and blessings OF life liberty and
property.


l3 That liberty of speech anu Of the press are
guaranteed 10 the people by the Constitution. and
none but usurper would deprive them of these
rights: they are inestimable to the citizen and
formidable to tyraats only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu-
nate troubles. TO muzzle the press and stife free
discussion, exercises Of despotic power against
which freedom revolts aud which can not be tole-
rated without converting freemen into slaves.


IL. That the seizure Of Slidell and Mason, on
board n neutral vessel, on the high seas, was
either in accordance with international law and
so legal; or else in violation OF such law, and so


illegal. If the former. we lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under a
threat; if the latter, il was the daty of the Ad-
mnstration at once To have disavowed the act of
their officer and instead of incarceratng the cap
tives I'm Fort Warren. TO have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, as far as prac-
tcable, in the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event. the action
of the Administration was vacillating land cow
ardy, and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.


Is. That the action of the Republican party,
manifested in the partisan character Of all ap-
pointments of the Administration 10 civil Office.
and, in holding party cauc1ses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpressing
upon the Legislative action of that body the peculiar
dogmas OF that party have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms and par
ty organizations. upon the altar of their country"
are but so many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope to dupe the unwary into Their
support; and we warn all loyal persons, as they
love their country, not to be deceived thereby.


10. That the disclosures made by the investi-
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the armv and navy
departments, duplicating the heads of those de
partments in connivance at, if not an actual
participation in a system of corruption, and iE
which cur brave soldiers have been delrauded of
their proper supplies, and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy, demands a thorough in.
vestigation into all our expenditures, both State
and National, and that a speedy and marked ex
ample be made of all such "birds of prey," who,
taking advantage of the necessities of our con
try. have fed and fattened upon public plumber.


ResofDed. That the meritorious conduct of the
Indiana troops in every battle field where victory
has perched upon the national banner, has filled
the people of this State with the highest graft
tude to her gallant SONS, and that we send our
best wishes 20 officers and men, dispersed through
out the country and the heartfelt greetings of
every Democrat for their further brillan, achieve
ments in the coming contests for the maintenance
of the Constitution and the Union.