Year: 1861

ture of Southern society, both social and
political, and forming to them one great
element of their wealth, regarded by them
as indispensable to the growth and develop
ment of the country, and sensitive to all
attacks from every quarter there can only


be permanent peace and tranquility between
the two great sections of the country when


we of the Free States are ready to stop this
discussion OF the abstract question of NOR
ais connected with this institution, and look
upon it only as political question, and as
it stands connected with our interests as q
nation. Compromises of political differ
ences may do much, but that which is most


needed at this time, is restoration of the
sentiments of kindly feeling between the
North and the South, that so strikingly
characterized the early history of our Re-
public, and then we may hope that an hon
est and faithful discharge of all our consti-
tutional obligations toward each other, will
result in healing the present breach, and
insure to us, as nation, brilliant future.
1t gives me great pleasure to say that
Indiana as a State, has hitherto
faithfully kept the bond of Union


with all her sister States Her record is un-
stained by any act of bad faith. She has
never attempted, directly or indirectly, to
evade or avoid any of the requirements of
the Federal Constitution, and no man can
doubt but if the same could be said of
every other State, instead of discord, peace
and harmony would reign throughout our
borders. Let us then take pride in main
tanning the high position we have thus far
occupied as conservative, union loving
State, and while we throw our weight into
the scale in favor of any practical mode of
settling the present trouble, let'us also en-
deayor to aid in that more permanent and
lasting settlement that must flow from n
restoration of amity and cordiality among
all our people, North and South. Then, as
you have met in legislative capacity, you
should place Indiana in this controversy
where she rightfully belongs, as conserva-
tive, law-abiding, and union State. Show
to the people of this confederacy that In
diana will maintain the Constitutional
rights of every State in this Union-that
she will extend to the South all rights in the
territories belonging to this Government
that she would claim for herself-that
she will look to the Constitution and the
laws to determine rights of property, and
not permit any moral question to interDose
to affect that determination, and that all
property recognized by the Constitution and
laws shall be alike protected. This position,
although it may not affect the action of the
extreme Southern States, yet it may do
much to bring about a convention of the
border free and slave States. And regard
ing, as I do, these States to be conservative,
and in favor of maintaining the Union as it
is, it would be well for the peace of this
country, if they could meet in convention
and consult together in regard to the pres
ent unhappy differences existing between
the North and the South. They might by
their conservative action induce the extrem-
lists of the North and South to pause and re-
fleet upon the consequences which must ne
cessarily result from their fanatical course,
and if by their action, this much could be
gained, there would then be hope that by
union of the conservative elements of the
country, these unhappy differences might be
satisfactorily settled, and the best govern
ment under heaven, saved from the horrors
of disunion and civil war.


- 81 s;sasr,. A A. HAMMOND.