YOL. 49.
AMERICAN VOLUNTEER.
PUBLISHED EVERT THURSDAY MORNING BY
JOHN BRATTON. .
T.EKMS
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iroportion.
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fWwiL
OUR DOT.
Our Union, the gift of our fathers!
In wrath roars tho tempest above I
Tho darker and nearer our danger,
. -Tho warmer and closer our love.
Though stricken, it never shall perish-; ■
It bends, hut not breaks to the blast;
Toes rush out in fury to rend it/. . .
Hut wo will ho trim to tho last.,
(Our Union, ordained of Jehovah—■ ■
Man-sets not tho liatasido !
.As well etcavo tho welkin asunder,
.As the one mighty system divide*
•Tim grand-Mississippi sounds over,.
From pine down to palm, tho decree-;
'Tho spindle, tho corn, and the cotton,
Ons pawn shout, Union, to time!
:Our Union, tho lightning of battle
First kindled tho Same of; its shrine 1
Thu blood and tho tears of our people
Have inadu'it forever divine.
In battle we then will'dcfcnd it! *
'Will light till tho triumph is-wonS
Till the States form the realm' of the .Union
As the sky forms,thtrrealm of tho suin'
3£imllanwuo;
"MV CAPTURE AND ESCAf E.”
A STOKV or THE WAR,
Iji tlio ranks of my regiment, I arrived in
'Washington, in Juno, 1861, and was soon
after sent out to the sacred, soil of Virginia.
■Our regiment was'sent to tlie advance of the
federal lines, and portions were sent, out on
picket duty. When it came to my turn to
advance near the enemy’s, linos, I felt some
apprehension fur my safety, and though.
was a soldier I imiso frankly cunfdgs'l feared
-.the rifles of the. Confederate sharp shooters.
Near whore unr'pickets were stationed; was
.a little, ~(dd fashioned log house that looked
* 1 (-.liticvinj-. rtnli- oitfiii made.
nee feel sail,\Mieu stated in some hook or
..corner of the bushes, watohing«tlie enemy.—
How that old log house made, my heart, pal
pitate, and drew-from mo deep and heavy
sighs. Not that I had lost one particle of
nry patriotism, or felt any the leas brave and
willing to light for my country.; but it would
bring .to. my mind pictures of borne, and ot
.the many pleasant scenes T had passed with
sister amt brothers and others around the
family board! I noticed that the house was
occupied, and fair forms flitted in and out,
nud one in particular that drew my attention.
1 became deeply Interested in the inmates of
that house—and, ns I thought tho matter
Aver., if seemed as if I could not restrain my
.curiosity, but I must .visit it.. Standing as it
did between two hostile armies,what could
indues Us inmates to remain with destruc
tion,visible all around them.
It was a beautiful afternoon in the latter
part of Juno, that I was again on picket dutj*
an tho vicinity of the Jog house. I was.de
(torminod that day ; to satisfy my curiosity
and visit the house.. Leaving my compan
ions, I stole across a field of two, watching
•with a vaigilant eye every bush and fence to
■prevent surprise. As. I approached the house
. I heard a plaintive, song, so sweetly that I
wept, though I felt ashamed of myself as a
soldier for my .weakness. I* drew close up
.beside the house, and in a crouching position
I silently listened. The song ceased, a
.heavy, hasty step sounded oh the floor.
Father, what is the matter ?” I beard a
(voice exclaim, that was mingled with ah agi
tated and mournful quiver.
... My dear daughter, you nt.d your mother
.depart at onee. You must go to Washington,
and from thence yon can find your way to
Massachusetts, where your uncle lives. Tell
him that I, his brother, implore him to pro
tect you until I can reach you. Our country*
is torn and distracted, and utter ruin seems
.to hang over it. Oh, God, when will this
■and i”
“ And you George,” I believe this was the
voice of bis wife, “ where are you going?”
•“ Where am I’going ?" ho gasped. “ God
“only knows!”
“Why? What on earth do you mean”—
fairly soreamed.his wife.
' “ 1 mean this,” said he more calmly ; “ i
am going into the Confederate army,, not
from my own free will but from compulsion
to save iny proporty from confiscation, to save
a homo for you and Jenny.”
“Oh father, do not join the. Confederate
army, but light for the old Stars and Stripes,
nml for t.bo country you have so long loved,"
And Jenof .caugljji'bpv father about the neck,
■and kissed him.
I could get but a single gin nee at her face,
Amt how lovely she looked, pleading for her
■Country and her father’s honor, 'fho n)Otl|cr
was standing beside and the groat, tears
'flowed'down her cheeks and dropping on his
ihead.
“ Gome dear father, lot us go North ; Un
vflo David is a good man, and'wo can live in
‘safety there.”
The father sat listening to the pleadings of
yds daughter, and these were joined by the
■wife with such stirring pathos that he yielded
and consented to leave immediately for Wash
ington, and join the Federal army.
“ You have decided me ; I will go,” he ox
'claimod, and the terror that agitated him a
Ihomout before had entirely fled.
“ Bless you, father 1” exclaimed Jenny, ns
she drew hack an. old hoard that was against
the wall, oyer the mantlepieoo, and from its
secret hiding place drew out a small, beauti
“'l Star Spangled Banner.
I'horq, my father, under the folds of that
hog you must fight, if you will go to war,
hut not beneath Palmetto, the Pelican,
n , 10 , serpent; and she throw it around his
.shoulders, while his stalwart form braced up,
; und his eyes brightened as ho pressed the
otary Banner to his bosom.
'.. h i ' v I loved that girl, as she stood there
r “ujkity of her pride, gazing on
r lather. I could have fought a regiment
reuols at that moment, or as many more
iLTii * mvo * u ‘ en brought against me.—
* hoop ready to marry pt that moment I
would have made that girl my wife at least
a dozen times. .But my thoughts upon that
subject were of short duration, for just as the
father was about to make preparations to
start from his homo, in stepped four rebel
soldiers,, under the command of a Corporal.
“ Well, sir, wo have called for you,” said
the Corporal, “ and I don’t think wo came
too soon ; and ho snatched the flag from off
the shoulders of the man and throw it on the
floor and stamped upon it. That’s the way
wo will sot our heels on the necks of the
Yankee invaders.
How my blood foamed ; it didn’t boil, hut
raved.throngh my veins ns if it would, hurst
them. Suddenly Jenny sprang forward, and
pushed the Corporal back with such force
that ho almost fell upon the floor, and then
snatched up the flag and flaunted it in his
face; .
“As under its folds tyranny, was driven
from the land, so shall traitors he driven out
or hung; and if I were a man I would pun
ish you for the insult you offered this dear
flag of mine.”
j'l didn’t come here to fight the women,”
said the ’ Corporal doggedly.. “ Conic, Mr.
Davis, you have been diraftod and must go to
the army.”
”1 will not fight against my will,” ex
claimed the man, exhibiting some signs of
resistance, ■
” But you shall. Seize him, men
The rebels sprang forward and caught Da
vis, but being ti strong man, he hurled them
from him: Again they set upon him with
more success and were proceeding to bind
him. 1 could stand it no longer. I rushed
to the door, screaming :
“ Como on boys ; wo have them now 1”
I dashed into the house, and just at that
moment down wont one of the rebels, lev
elled, to the floor, by a chair in the hands of
Jenny.- Again the chair whirled in the *air,
and came down on the head of the Corporal.'
The rebels were.frightened and fled'from the
bouse; but seeing ,1 was alone returned to
the combat. Davis was still bound, and
could afford no assistance. The fight was
unequal, and I was overpowered and taken
prisoner; Davis and myself were marched
off to the enemy’s camp, while Jenny and
her mother were.left alone in the house.
For two days I was a prisoner in the' ene
my's camp, nosr Fairfax Court House.—
What had become of Davis I know not,
and what become of mo I cared npt, now’
that I had lost the bravo girl I bad learned
to love. The day had passed gloomily away,
and night was come again. I was seated in
a : sort of brush tent, witha guard pacing tip
and down in front of it, paying more atten
tion to mo than necessary. While lost in
happy thoughts of home and Jenny, I heard'
a rustling noise beside me, and a delicate
hand was laid oh my arm.
'“Fellow me, quickly, and I will save
you”’ she wisporod in my oar, and placed -
her hand over my mouth.
Sho then withdrew, and ! .snako Jiko,
oraw.lcti ou t. -of thu um tu it or .'Ucr, Ouu
tiously we moved along until-we oaino to.the
guard. . ■
“ Who comes there?” came quickly; and
We dropped down upon our faces.
The Guard passed on, and wo crawled fir
ward, stopping to listen.’ The guard was re
turning, arid we lay,still until he had again
passed, and then we -pushed forward more
rapidly. -
“ Wc are now. -beyond the camp, hut we
have the pickets to pass , yet. My father is
waiting for us just yonder,” said she, turn
ing a little to the left.
“ You are a brave girl,” I ventured to say,
and there is no knowing what else-I might
have said, but she placed her finger on my
mouth, with a genteel “ Hush !”
Secreted in the bushes was her father,
who firmly grasped my hand a's wo joined
him. Jenny then placed a, musket'in my
hands, And I could see by the dim light that
\er father was provided with one, and the
hrava and fearless girl carried one, though
I must confess, rather awkwardly. I was ah
curiosity and anxiety to know how the little
frail creature, could accomplish'so much.
“lam afraid we ay ill have to fight the
pickets,” said her father,; “but it’s life or
death, and if we can scare them We are cafe.' 1
In perfect silence we approached the local
ity of the picket guard and thought we had
eluded their vigilance, When a quick and
frightened challenge burst upon us. This
was followed almost instantly by a flash and
a bullet whizzed close to my head,
“ Charge on them, hoys,” shouted Davis
as he fired, and I quickly sent a bullet in the
direction of the. rebel pickets. I saw Jen
ny’s musket come to her shoulder, and as it
was discharged she reeled and would have
fallen to the ground, but I caught her, and
in a moment she recovered from the shock.
We heard'the-', enemy’s pickets retreating
in alarm, and making the most of their con
fusion we dashed forward toward tlib Fede
ral lines, some half a.mile distant.
I had made my escape, but not through
ray own stratagem or skill, but by the con
stant work and energy of a young and bravo
girl, whoso patriotic heart would not forsake
her honored' and beloved government, nnd
whoso determination rescued her father
from thejnvnd of tho oppressor.
The muskets she provided us with were
secreted in her father's house. She had
loaded them, and at night eluded tho vigi
lance of tho enemy’s guard, and deposited
them where she delivered them to us. She
bid us a touching farewell, and in company
with her , mother, proceeded to Massachu
setts.
Her father enlisted in the Federal army
and now, side by side, we are fighting to de
liver his homo from the hands of the op
pressor, while I look forward with pleasure
to the day when I. shall be awarded the hand
of Miss Jenny ns a reward lor my effort to
save her father.
Absalom’s Swoan.—The London Morning
Star announces the astonishing fact that Ma
jor Ponpezula has found, at Eucharist, the
original sword of Absalom, the son of Da
vid, who was suspended by his own hair. A
Ilobrow and a Latin inscription are cited as
proving the identity of this remarkable
weapon, which is very handsomely wrought,
and which is said to have in the course of
centuries, travelled from Palestine to Pnlln
chia; having, at Jerusalem cogue into the
nossossion of Titus, thonoo into that of a
Janissary, and finally, through the interme
diary of a Greek monk, into the hands of the
Wtillaohian Major. Upon this the Courrikr
ties Elals Unis remarks, that we shall soon
bo in possession of tho club with which Cain
slow Abel, and of the knife with which
Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son.
0”Tho condemned Sioux Indians, en
gaged in the into massacre in Minnesota,
wore secretly rcaiovod to Davenport, lowa,
on the 2lst inst., where they will be confined
at hard labor in conformity with orders from
Washington, Tho Minnesota people did not
mean they should leave the State alive, and
are much excited by tho event.
Death of the Rebel Gen. Van Dorn.
[Before going to press Inst week we had a
rumor of the assassination of Gen. Earl Tan
Dorn of the rebel army ; but having been so
often deceived by false rumors in army intel
ligence, wo omitted it until something more
reliable should bo received. It is now placed
beyond all doubt. The following is one of
the many versions of the tragic event:]
The Killing of Van Dorn by Dr.
Peters,
[Correspondence of the Richmond Enquirer.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, May 12. — A gen
tleman just from Spring Hill, in Maury
county, gives mo some particulars in regard
to the death of Van Dorn. I'ho facts are
singularly tragic, and in time of peacew’ould
create a national furore. The crowded con
dition of the great war canvass, however,
will distract the public eye from a quiet do
mestic melo-drama.
.Since taking up jhis quarters at Spring
Hill, Van Dorn has been upon terms of crim
inal. intimacy with Mrs. Dr. Peters. She
was a Miss MeKissick—young, handsome
and intelligent. Her family is one of the.
highest respectability and , considerable,
wealth. , IlerAjjfeband has been one of the
most esteeiqecWmtiv.cns—an .amiable man, a
member Of the State Senate .and ti heavy
planter. A'brother, Major Peters, is Chief
Quartermaster to Gen. Polk. The pair have
been married (second marriage on the part
of the gentleman) for about live years.
On the day of the occurence, Dr. Peters
called upon Van Dorn and obtained a pass to
go to Nashv'lle. Van Dorn gave it readily,
doubtless feeling glad' to get rid of a, disa
greeable and dangerous incumbrance. They
werce alone together in an upper room, and
it is supposed that Peters shot from back of'
Tan Dorn’s head, which was split in twain
by the bullet. '.- The report was not heard,
however, and Peters mounted Ills horse, rode
away, crossed tho lines with the pass previ
ously obtained, and- entered Nashville. Ho
lias been, I-learn, received with marks of
distinguished welcome.
The body of Van Dorn was coffined and
sent off for.lnterment; Mrs. Peters has re
turned to iler own family.
Those are fac'ts, hard and dry. Euniors
of the conduct.of Van Dorn, not only in this
one instance; but in others near Columbia
liavo been prevalent for Some time. Without
doubt he has acted very badly. My infor
mant tells me he has degraded the cause and
disgusted every one by his inattention to his
duties and his constant devotion to tho ladies,
and that to tho.-exolnsion of all else. Wine
and women have ruined him, as they have
ruined many another brilliant.,but reckless
men. That Van Dorn was a man of daring
genius '-.there can bo.no doubt. Being hand :
some/ with dark, dashing eyes, a magnificent
mustache, -a surperb rider., showy .address,
quita-ivitUi,! un.i .'iMiieruJ, lie was also a 111:1 n
ot* .sagacious -foresight,., keen, .intelligent, .hut
was.wbboly and .thoroughly unreliable.- lie
always,sacrificed bis.businessto bis pleasure.
He was never tit his post when he ought to
bo. Ho was either tied to a woman’s,,apron
string or heated with wine. . ;
Buead M-aklno,— ln order to have good
bread, there are three things very essential
—trend flour, good risings, and a careful hand.
Jt T »w, if ray lady friends will comply with the
following-directions, 1 - Twill guarantee them
ns good bread, as was ever broken by mortal.
The day of hop yeast has gone by. It is-not
used by the country folks at the presentday,
only by here and there a family. Hero is
my way of making broad;
Wafer Jiisinifs. —Take a quart pitcher and,
a spoon—scald them thoroughly—fill the
pitcher half full of boiling water from the
teakettle, which has boon drawn fresh from
the fountain. Let the water cool to the tem
perature ot good hot dishwater ; stir in flour
sufficient to make them as thick as pancake
batter; add one-fourth ofateaspoonful of salt
and as much soda; cover them closely, set
them where.they will keep quite warm;.stir
occasionally. They will rise in five or six
hours.
ItaUed it. —Take some of the bread
dough when light, knead a piece of butter
as large ns an -egg into dough enough to fill
a long tin mould into small biscuits —let them
rise again ; bake for twenty minutes.
Indian Bread. —Take two quarts of Indian
meal, pour on boiling water enough to make
the meal quite wet ; when cool, and a quart
of flour, half a pint of risings, a little salt,
and half a cupful of molasses. Mix alto
gether, put into largo basins and let it rise;
bake for three hours with a slow firo.
Johnny Cake. —A Johnny cake, to ho eat
en with meat, should bo made as follows
One teaoupful of sweet milk, one of butter
milk, a little salt and a Tittlo soda; stir in
meal enough to; make a soft batter ; hake for
forty minutes.— Mrs. Gall.
O* Brigadier-General Hascall, command
ing tho Department of Indiana, has been re
lieved of his command. This was the petty
tyrant who issued “ Order No. 9.” Tho dis
grace of removal is hut a small part of his
deserts. Among his performances wee an
imperative order to tho editor of the South
Bend Forum to “ retract” a certain article
commenting on his order. He is out of that
business, just now, it scorns.
BSS“ A yankee boy had a whole Dutch
cheese set before him bv a waggish friend,
who, however, gave him*no knife. ‘This is
a funny cheese, Uncle Joe ; but whore shall
I cut it?’ ‘Oh,’ said the grinning friehd,
‘ cut it where you like,’ ‘Very well, said
the yankee, cooly putting it under his arm,
‘ I’ll cut it at homo.’
Js@f*That was a very pretty conceit of a
romantic husband and father whose nnmo
was Bose, who named bis. daughter ‘Wild,’
so that she grow up under Ibo appellation
‘ Wild Bose.’ But the romance of the name
was sadly spoiled in a few years, for sho
married a man by the name of ‘ Bull.’
O' What strange creatures girls are.—
Offer one of them good wages to work for
you, and, ton chances to one, if the * old wo
man can spare any of her girls’ —but just
propose matrimony, and see if thoy don’t
jump at tho chance of working a lifetime for
victuals and clothes.
A box was sent from Providence, re
cently, with the following address :—‘John
McPherson, squire, kumpinnry C, aokund re
giment rode linn pri-vatenrs, Washington, d,
eo. Knmp kloss tu tho Wrappanok, an ukwy
break.’
Do one thing at a time—that’s tho
rule—when you have done slandering your
neighbors then begin to say your proyors.
O' The fellow who took offence has not
yot returned.
“OUR COUNTRY—MAY IT ALWAYS BE RIGHT—BUT RIGHT OR WRONG OUR COUNTRY."
CARLISLE, PA., THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 1863.
We are indebted to the Indianapolis Senti
. ?i cl, of the 21st ultimo, for full proceedings
of the immense mass meeting of the Demo
crats of Indiana, on Thursday of last week.
The UaUincl says, that it was tho most nu
merous assemblage of ,the people over held in
Indiana to take counsel together upon the
condition of the country. The crowd was va
riously estimated:at from fifty to seventy-fivo
thousand, and they all voters.
The demonstration gavO'evulence that the fire
of liberty yet burned in the hearts of tho pen-,
pie. It was not an assemblage to advance
schemes, to nominate candidates for
public position, or tin,-qirplhote the personal
interests of men. The only object was to
preserve constitutional liberty and maintain
the free Government which"was won by. tho
valor and framed by the wisdom of a' patri
otic ancestry. - /;
But it was with feelings of sorrow, humilia
tion, and degradation, (coiitnmcs tho SeiUi
nel,) that wo witnessed tlis scenes of yester
day. The -people were hot permitted to
peaceably assemble, discuss the policy and
nets of the party in power.and petition for a
redress of grievances. Tbs representatives,
tho servants of the people-i-the office-holders
whose feed is drawn from-tfio public treasury'
—attempted to overawe arid prevent * freo
expression of those whom They represented.
What apology can bo offered for such an ex
hibition in what has been regarded ns a free
Government—a Government which derives it
just powers from the consent of the govern
ed f
, The military commandant had taken alarm,
■ or had thohght that, some precautionary
means was necessary, and early in the loom
ing Hie troops at the various camps were
placed on duty,. A regiment of infantry
in full marching order whs posted in the
Governor’s Circle; and two pieces of artillery
wore placed to sweep the streets leading to it.
A twelve-pounder’ was-placed opposite the
Headquarters so as to rake Virginia avenue,
and a .company of soldiers stacked arms
at (he point where that thoroughfare de
bouches Into Washington street. Another
stacked arms at-tho junction south
of Delaware and Washington streets, It is
needllbss to say thnt no peretfn was suffered to
pass these points without especial permission.
A'seetion of a battery with'an infantry sup
port was placed at the Art) ( fiial, east of the
city, and two guns were placed ranging on
the speakers’ stand, at the‘State House; sup
ported by a' squadron of ’yfej'-lry, concealed,
by' the VmilcluVg. 1 : , - - -y., , -
.At an vary (uuvr the ot l.\ie State
House Square,! where the Was Creeled,
was densely packed with an* anxious crowd,-
and the. streets- leading to . iif( wore also
thronged. The meeting was called to order
by Tims. Dowling, Esq., of Vigo, n member
I of the State Central Committee, by .nominat
ing for President'the Honorable Dan’l W.
V'liorboes, of Vigo.
Mr. Vobrhees, on taking the stand, waS re
ceived with loud and long continued cheers.
Ho said that he would.return his thanks fui
the honor done him in selecting him to pre
side oyer such, a vast assemblage, when the
business organization was completed. ■
Mr; I Lend ricks then moveef the appoint- ,
ment 'of a committee of three from each Con
gressional District, to prepare resolutions for
the Convention, which /vas adopted by accla
mation, After the permanent organization
had been- effected, Mr. Voorhces addressed
the Convention ns follows' :.
My Democratic Fellow-citizens of the State of
Indiana; '
For the distinguished honor which you
have just conferred upon me in calling me to
accent this elevated .position, I return to you
my sincere aud heartfelt thanks. At such a
tine and under such circumstances ns those
which surround this hour, to he called upon
to preside over , such an assemblage as the
one before me, is an honor to be-remembbred
to the latest hour of life, and to be treasured
up as one of the highest, proudest distinctions
ever conferred by my fellow-citizens. From
a grateful heart, a heart often deeply touched
by the-kindness of my countrymen, I thank
you.
Wo meet to-day in accordance with the
timo-honoyed custom of political parties since
the foundation'of this Government. There is
nothing new in this assembly. Wo meet as
our fathers met before us j wo meet for the
high and holy purposes of'taking part in the
discussion of those matters! which relate to
the welfare ofaGovernmentjformed and created
do not created, and govornedty the people. Wo
recohizo the fact that anything has occurred or
can oeburr to divorce the people of Indiana
from An interest in public affairs. Wo do not
admit that the Democratic party is in any
manner ostracised from a participation in
matters of government. ‘
Holding the Constitution .of my country in
mV : hand, I declare that tips is a lawful as
semble, lawful in purpose and lawful in act.
In this great document I read that it is
an inalienable right of the people peaceably
to assembly and ask for a redress of grievance.
No sadder grievances ever befel the children
of mon than those which afflict the people of
the. United States at this time. Confusion
and disorder darken the sky ; the very earth
is laden, with the sorrow of our people ; the
voice of woe and lamentation goes up from
every portion of our distracted country ; the
angel of death has spread his wings on
the blast, and there hasbeort no sacred blood
sprinkled upon the door posts of our homes to
stay the hand of the destroyer. It is in such
a time, my countrymen, that wo moot accord-,
ing to the plain precepts of the Constitution,
to ask the Administration to redress those
grievances which bear so heavily upon us,
and return speedily to the policy inaugurat
ed by. the fathers of our Government—that
policy which made us a happy, united and fra
ternal people.
Such being our objects, who shall toll
us wo shall not meet? Whore is the power
that shall interfere with, or prevent us from
peaceably existing our plain constitutional
rights? J, for onej plant myself upon the
Constitution of my country ; it is the rock on
which I built the church of my political
faith, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
Having thus peaceably assembled, accord
ing to liui plain precepts of the Constitution,
we rro met, however, at the threshold by an
issue which wo cannot avoid—an issue which
it is out of our power to ignore for a single
moment. We are mot with a plain, palpable
and audacious denial ut the liberty of speech.
And when thus met what shall wo do? What
shall wo say? I turn again to the Conslitu-
plitiral.
The Democracy of Indiana in
Council,
IMMENSE OUTPOURING ,OF THE PEOPLE,
SPEECH OF HON.. D. W. VOORHEES.
tion—to the rock on -which the Temple of
Liberty is built—and oak, what does'. that
Constitution say ? What it says, you, fellow
citizens, and I are willing to do. .It ia
the rule of our conduct, and wo know no
other. It ia a safe guide in all cases; it
leads us over no uncertain grounds ; it has
been hied'. The Constitution ia all we want;
wo will have it as it ia, without any additions
or subtractions. When lam met with a'de
nial of the right of tree speech, I will conic
to the Constitution and ask what it says. It
says that Congress, which is the only legisla
tive power known to the Government, shall
pass no law abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press. Thus saith the book. , Let
that be true, though all the world be a liar.
If the Congress of the United States cannot,
under the Constitution, pass any law inter
fering with the freedom of speech, can any
body else do it? No. This is the house of my
refuge. Hither we will come for safety, wo
will lay hold of the very horns of the altar,
and in the name of American liberty, and
with a.firm reliance upon a just God, bid de
fiance to our persecutors.
I ask that this book may speak again in
pur favor. It says that the Constitution and
laws of the United States- which shall be
made in pursuance thereof, are the supremo
law of the land. There is, there can be no
higher law than the supreme law. . You can
not go above it. You can not escape this
conclusion. One of the perilous evils that
now,unhappily beset us as a nation consists
simply in this fact, that years ago a parly
arose in the country proclaimingto the World
a higher law than the Constitution. I tell
you that in my judgment lie who proclaims
that doctrine, and in the next breath swears
to sustain the Constitution, is perjured in the
sight of God and man. The Constitution is
the supreme law. It provides for the main
tenance of these great rights of freedom—free
speech—a free press—and who shall take
them away from us f ,
Yet, niy follow citizens, in the fade of this
fact, we nave been told, here in Indiana, not
merely that public discussion was in general
terms prohibited, but we have been told what
particular measures of public policy we shall
not discuss. lam not going to descend into
particulars upon this point, but I will tell
you this, that the Democratic party will dis
cuss the tax bill and the. revenue policy ;
(for you have the money to pay it will dis
cuss the confiscation act, and the President’s
emancipation policy. These measures effect
the best'interests of the white man, and
peace and 'Security of the Government for
generations to come. : To discuss.thcip is our
undeniable right. I plant my feet upon the
Constitution, and solemnly, declare, in behalf
of myself and the Democratic party, that we
will never surrender to:any power on earth
the right ,to d iscuss all these measures, which
bear so'Cearfully upon our dearest interests.
We will discuss the President’s eonipensated
emancipation policy. Wo will discuss the
right of this Government to put its hand into
the pocket.of the laboring white,man fur the
purpose of freeing the nogroi AYo will dis
cuss the conscript not,. Aye will discuss the
policy of every law. that is now or may here
after,bo placed upon:the statue book. Those
of them that are, iri bur judgment, wrong, wo
will ask to be repealed. AVe will -tost their
constitutionality in the courts, in short, wo
will do all that our fathers have’dono to as
sert our manhood and freedom ; to demon
strate to the world that we are not the degen
erate sons of glorious sires! If we are to give J
up these privileges at the bidding of a despot,
let us hide the face of the Goddess of Liberty
in a funeral veil; deceive the world no.longer
with the semblance of freedom, but accept at
once the name of despotism and wear the
collar of slaves. . ' ■ :
Do wo propose, ns Democrats, to do any
thing wrong ? Do we love our country the
loss that wo intend to assort the heaven
given right of free discussion ? No, ns for me,
so help me God, it is because I love my
country more. AVhat is your country and
mine.?. I have no country outside of the pro
visions of the written law. Mr. Lincoln and
his Cabinet constitute" not my Government.
There are merely public servants, to be hold
responsible for their acts by an intelligent,
an honest and a patriotic people. Am, I, in
making these declarations, preaching to you
doctrines subversive of the principles and
precepts of the fathers ? Let me ask you in
all candor, docs it not seem wonderful that I
may at this very moment bo talking myself
into a prison by uttering these ancient sonti
timents of liberty ? It sometimes seems to mo
as if .a favored dream had come upon this
country, and as if, after a while, we should
wako up and find that wo had simply boon
plagued with a hideous and oppressive night
mare. But wp look around us to-day and the
sun is shining, the air is blowing, all is real,
and yet in the midst of all this reality, and in
the noon of the nineteenth century, we are
assaulted with this most terrible, pernicious,
and destructive horesy-mthis denial of the
right of a people of a free government to con
trol and manage that government for them
selves.
What does tbo Democratic party propose to
do j It purposes, by the help of God, to pre
serve this Constitution. The Constitution
pjado our Union, without it the Union would
never have had an existence. It brought
your States together ; it, and it alone, hold
them together for more than eighty years,
and it alone.:can bring them together again.
It is the on'ly power that can restore the
Union. We are constantly told thatitisincum-
bent upon us to do everything in our power
to restore the Union. We. are ready and
willing—yea, we are anxious to do any
thing and everything but what is wrong,
and a wrong can never restore the Union,
The right, however, can, and that wo propose
to d 0.,. The Democratic party will take its
stand upon the eternal, immutable, ever-liv
ing principles of right and of constitutional
liberty—to do right by truth and justice, and
leave to a’righteous God to shape the conse
quences in the future. If this Union is over
to bo restored, it will bo done by doing right
—by preserving the Constitution, the bond
that made it. This is my only hopo for my
country. I follow it ns tlio children of Isriiel
followed the pillar of cloud by day and of fire
by night. It, and it u 1 0130, will lead us
through this wilderness of war, and blood,
and desolation, and if it is preserved, the
time will come when thesky will clear away,
and in a brighter, better and happier land,
wo will look back upon this scene with proud
patisfaclien, ns wo reflect that wo did not bow
the knoo in live hour of trial to base tyranny
and lawless usmpation.
In the meantime, what do wo expect ? Do
wo look for case and comfort? Do yop,
to day, expect me to tell you of an easy way
to a haven of safety, whore there troubles
and dangers shall no more beset and afflict
us ? If you do, I cannot gratify you. You
are not to roposo on ilowory bods of ease
while others in times past fought to win the
prize of freedom and sailed through bloody
seas. Wo may suffer. Some of us may
languish in prison and in chains, wo may
feet the iron festering in our flesh,. because
can afford all this ; but we can not afford to
wo assert our rights ns freemen. We
live one day or one hour beneath a sense of
personal abasement and disgrace. A man.
cnn die, and bis memory be crowned with
the benedictions of mankind, evergreens may
grow about his tomb, and the lips of genera
tions to come may bless him. A man can
die in a cause like this without grief or sorrow;
but to prolong life,at the expense of liberty
and self respect, is what a proud race cannot
and will never do.
There has never been a time in my experi
ence when it was so easy to determine what
was right and what was wrong. The mark
is broad and plain between the two principles.
The path of duty is plain before us. The
voice of past ages comes to us appealingly in,
this crisis. The ages in which generous,
high-sonlol men have suffered and bled for
the maintenance of their unalienable rights,
implore us in this hour of trial not to falter
on .the plain, bright, and shining pathway of
constitutional liberty because wo hear'the
clanking of chains. , ■ 1
As I remarked before, it is not, my purpose
on this occasion to discuss in detail any na
tional policy measures merely, but to allude
to these few plain , and general principles
which it was due to myself due to my coun
try, and due to the gallant and glorious De
mocracy of tho State of Indiana, should
i bo uttered in your hearing.
One man there would have been in our
midst to-day an invited and an honored guest,
one whom you all expected to see and bear
upon this occasion, but that ho has fallen, a
little sooner, perhaps, than the rest of us, a
victim to tho base usurpation which has taken |
the place of popular rights and ofthe Consti
tution. I should feel that I was guilty of in
juries to a gallant,a bold and constitution loving
citizen of America, did Tfail hero to utter it
the name of the Democracy of Indiana,
my solemn protest against the tyranny which
places Clement L. Vallandigham within tho
walls of a prison.
. My countrymen; Our proceedings here
to-day will, I trust, ho characterized by pru
dence, firmness and justice. Prudence con
sists, in time like these, in a hold adherence
to’ truth and right. I invoke upon this
mooting tho spirit of good for odr own State,
the spirit of peace for our people, the spirit of
union for all tho States'of America ; . and I
trust in.my heart'.of hearts that the result of
your deliberations will, conduce to the pros
perity and glory of tho whole people.
lion. 11. T. Merrick, of Illinois, followed
Mr. Voorhoes in an eloquent and powerful
speech,which was received with vociferous
applause by the immense throng that listen
ed to it. 'lion. Joseph E. McDonald, of Indian
apolis, and the Hon. Thomas A. Uendricks,
also addressed !
The Committee on Resolutions, hy their
chairman, reported the following, - which
were adopted amid intense enthusiasm ■:
E.EHOLUTION?.
Wutvanui, It was declared by oar fathers,
> that to secure certain inalienable rights,
. among winch are “life, liberty hnd the pur
■ suit of happiness," “ Governments are insti
(tuted among men, deriving their just powers
from the consent.of the governed and
Whereas, in obedience to this principle in
the Gonstiution of the United States, “ to es
tablish justice and secure the blessings of lib
erty to ourselves and our posterity," they di
vided the powers of the Government into
three departments, Legislative, Executive
and Judicial,.and declared that all legislative
power'therein granted should be vested in a
'Congress of the United States; and.
Whereas, Legislation is “law making"
power, and law is a rule of action by which
men shall bo governed; and.
Whereas, The people of Indiana in. their
ConsKtution reaffimed such division of gover
mental power, and “ to the end that justice
bo established, public order maintained, and
liberty perpetuated,” they declare that “ all
power is inherent in the people,” and “ the'
military shall be kept in strict subordination
to the civil power and
Whereas, The Constitution of the United
States provides that “ Congress shall make,
no law * * abridging the freedom of
speeoh, or of the press, or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble and to petition
the Government lor a redress of grievances
and
Whereas, In accordance with this declared
right and long-established usage, we have
this day assembled, respectfully and earnest
ly, as-become freemen, to present our views
to those in authority ; therefore,
1. Jtcsolved, That the people are the
source of all political power; that officers
provided by the fundamental and statue law,
are their servants to carry out their will as
expressed in those laws ; and that when any
one of said servants assumes to act without
the previous sanction of such authority, he
censes to he the servant of the people, and is
striving to become their master by making
his more behest a law unto them.
2. That it is the duty of every good citizen
to obey the Constitution of the United States
and of this State, and laws passed in accord
ance therewith, whilst they remain in force;
but it is their right—not a mere privilege but
a right, to temperately, candidly and freely
discuss, not only the laws, but the acts of
those of their servants who may have passed,
or may bo in the administration of fboae
laws,
3. This is the necessary result of the fact
that the people are the source of all power.
They must freely discuss, that they may
properly determine whether a law is a bad
one and ought to be changed, or whether it is
right, but wrested from its meaning and
wrongfully administered by those in authori
ty, mid therefore snob unfaithful servants
should bo legally sot aside.
4. Whilst constitutional guarantees, among
others, the right of free discussion; of
appeal to the Courts, as against unconstitu
tional laws and illegal acts ; of resort to the
legislative, power to abrogate bad laws; of re
moval of obnoxious officials through an un
trampled, uncorruptod ballot-box, remain in
violate, it is tbo duty of the citizen to
aid those who are rightfully in authority in
all lawful proceedings ; but, if these righto
are sot at naught by their official servants, the
people may assert their inherent sovereignty
and resume the powers thus being: abused,
5. To uphold tbeso great and inalienable
principles.of liberty, one general rule should
govern those who frame laws, those who are
intrusted with their administration, and the
groat body of the people, being those upon
whom they operate : namely, tbo golden
rule of right.
6. The violation of this rule by disobedience
to poperly enacted laws should be punished-;
its disregard by the flagrant assumption of
unauthorized power and performances of un
justifiable acta by the servants of tbo people
should meet with their ste m rebuke.
7. In view of these great truths, we hereby
proclaim our fixed and irrevocable oopdemnay
tion of every attempt to make laws by Exe
cutive authority alone, or by more orders
of those representing the military, the subor
dinate arm of the Government. And we in
dignantly denounce the result of such flagrant
usurpations ns the not of military tyranny, to
wit : the arrest of citizens of Indiana and our
sister_ States that are in obedience to- the
Constitution,
_ 8. That the day has arrived when our offi
| cial servants are setting themselves up above
their employers the people, and have two
wars upon their hands—one against the
rebels of the South—tho other against the
Constitution, and those who attempt to up
hold it in the North. In the first named, the
Democracy have poured oilt their blood and
treasure at the call.of the Administration ; in
the sec md, they nro upon the side of the Con
stitution, and are being persecuted by illegal
arrests and imprisonment for .opinion’s sake
even “ unto strange pities*’ and loathsome
bastiles.
9 ; Martial law is no law bat the will of the
military officer proclaiming it, within the
limits in which he has a sufficient force
to maintain absolute power. In a State
or district of country where the public enemy
has no footing', the people are not in rebellion,
nor an armed insurrection prevailing, there is
no legal authority in any military officer, high
or, low; to substitute his will for theoivil;iaw3
and tho operations of the three co-ordinate
departments of the government.
■lO. That the attempt to suspend civil rights
—among them the right to make inquiry as to -
tbe'eause of arrests and imprisonment, by the
writ of habeas corpus —in territory loyal
to .the Government, is such an act of usurpa
tions ns demands and receives our merited
condemnation.
11. That the Democratic party of Indiana,
are now, as they ever have been, attached to
the Constitution and the Union, and are
willing to make almost any sacrifice to main
tain the former and preserve the latter. Wo
hold that there can be no treason in submis
sion to tho Constitution and the laws made pur
suant thereunto, until they are constitutional
ly repealed, or j udicially declared void.; and a
people who do this and cannot, or, dare
not maintain and exercise the right of advo- .
eating the repeal of bad laws and the change
of a policy which they believe 'to be wrong,-.
are slaves ; and if tlie idea of .treason and
slavery is right, wo are resolved neither
to Ik traitors .or slaves. We "will submit
to every law passed pursuant to the Consti
tution as long as all constitutional means of;
redress are left open to our free exercise, in
cluding free ballots, free speech, free press,
and an untramraeled judiciary % and wo pro- .
nounoo every effort to take away from tbs
people these means of redress, by military
orders and arrest, or otherwise, $ flagrant
outrage against tho rights of a free pebple.
12. We denounce the members of tho Legis
lature who, by tho abandonment of tbeit seats
and failure to discharge the plain duties im
posed upon them, were guilty of ii violation of
their oaths, and we fear will bring discredit
upon tho State ; and we declare that the Gov
ernor can cloax himself from complicity
in that crime only by talcing steps to prevent
repudiation,
IS. That the Arrest of Hon. Clement 1,
Vallandighnm, of Ohio, for no other reason
but for tile : exercise of his ' right of free disr
cession, has been received by the Democracy,
of Indiana with feelings of just disapproba
tion, as another evidence' that the first'and
most sacred right of the citizen has been
stricken down in hie person; and we send to
that gallant tribune of the people the sympa
thy of his Democratic friends in Indiana, who
though assailed at homo by kindred oppres
sion, are yet prepared to stand firm by him
in his defence of the sacred right of constitu
tional freedom. ,
14. That we hereby reaffirm and endorse
the resolutions adopted by the'. Democratic
State Convention which assembled in this
city on the 30th day of July, 1862.
The Convention, remarks the Sentinel, baa
assembled and adjourned,’ Its history is
written. Citizens from all parts of the* State
have bad the opportunity to witness ah exer
cise of arbitrary power. ’ Indiana to day' .is
as completely under military rule .as France,
Russia or Austria. A'.large portion of the
people are willingly bowing their necks to.
receive the yoke of despotism. But: the men
who on the 20th inst;, and daily, are justify
ing and applauding the assumptions of pow
er, will yet feel the iron tread -of a despotism
which will not only deprive them of personal
and constitutional liberty, but will consume
thoir substance like a conker.
The Convention and proceedings have thoir
lessons for all. Never before was a more
glorious spectacle witnessed than the vast
assemblage of freemen called, together to ex
ercise their constitutional rights. They met
together to peaceably petition thoir Repre
sentatives fur a redress of grievances. But
there was a dark shadow to the scene. Ei
ther the exhibition of military power was an
evidence that the liberties of the people have
departed, or else the men and the party which,
instigated and justified such proceedings will "
become the by-wonk and reproach of every
good and true and patriotic citizen. The is-,
sue is upon the country, and the men of prop- •
erty who have let the tiger loose may yct feol
his claws—niay learn that “ curses, like chick
ens, often come home to roost.” The rule
of violence Ims no respect for persons. To
day its vengeance may be directed to one side,
to-morrow it may turn upon its friends of
yesterday. There is no class of people in
this country who, ever learning, are not by
their own judgment able to comprehend 'a
knowledge of the truth. Experience may yet
toaoh them their folly.
Widows’ upon a time, runs
an Oriental story, a young and lovely women
was called upon to mourn the death' of her, #
lord. As she loved him in life with all the
fervor of adoration, her grief at his' decease
was inconsolable. She filled the dir with
plaints ; declared faerself.the most .wretchod
of women ; and in the intensity of hW grief
made a vow that she wonld wed no'new lord.
till the stream that ran by-her bower should
reverse its course. A few weeks' lifter, she
was engaged very busily dammidg. dp the
stream.
BC7" Those ‘ coffee-mill’ guns—'one' hun
dred, or more in number,-ordered by the
President—we are told, have ployed to bo of
i)o practical value to the . army of the Poto
mac, and are now laid np in ft storehouse in
Washington.
' O” “ Ma, if you will give me ah apple, I
will be good,”
“ No, my child—you must nbli be good' for
pay—you ought to be good for nothing."
ID“ A young Jiuok'ster tfotiiftn' ate fifty
Oranges one qftor another, at Columbus, Ohio,
l.hjo other day, on a wager, Ehe reijoived S3’.
[C?* Most young fe)Jowa, when whiskey is
at hand make rye mouths.- •
C 7” The romantic lover hunts a wildfire
and vows that it is a star.'
NO. 51