USA > Indiana > The soldier of Indiana in the war for the union, Vol. I > Part 54
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"And whereas, The authors and movers in this rebellion have seized by violence various forts and arsenals belonging to the United States, and otherwise plundered the Govern- ment of large amounts of money and valuable property ;
"And whereas, Fort Sumter, a fortress belonging to the United States, the exclusive possession and jurisdiction over which was vested in the General Government by the Con- stitution of the United States, has been beseiged by a large army, and assaulted by a destructive cannonade, and reduced to submission, and the National flag hauled down in dishonor;
"And whereas, The President of the United States, in the exercise of the power vested in him by the Federal Constitu- tion, has called upon the several States remaining true to their allegiance to aid him in the enforcement of the laws, the recovery of the National property, and the maintenance of the rightful authority of the United States:
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" Now, therefore, I, Oliver P. Morton, Governor of the State of Indiana, call upon loyal and patriotic men of this State, to the number of six regiments, to organize themselves into military companies, and forthwith report the same to the Adjutant General in order that they may be speedily mus- tered into the service of the United States.
"The details of the organization are set forth in the in- structions of the Adjutant General, herewith published.
"OLIVER P. MORTON, Governor.
" By LEWIS WALLACE, Adjutant General.
" Indianapolis, April 16, 1861."
On the day of the issuing of this proclamation, recruiting immediately commenced at Indianapolis, and within one week not only the six regiments called for reported for duty, but forty additional companies were tendered, but could not be received, because the quota of the State was full. The six regiments consisted of the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh Indiana volunteers, all of which were mustered into the service of the United States on the 25th day of April, 1861, for the period of three months.
On the 15th of April the President issued his proclamation calling upon the Congress of the United States to meet in special session, on the 4th day of July then next ensuing, and on the 19th day of April Governor Morton issued his pro- clamation, requiring the General Assembly of the State to meet in special session on the 24th day of the same month.
The Legislature met at the time appointed, and on the first day of the session the following resolutions were adopted by the Senate without opposition, viz:
"Resolved, That Indiana is a unit in sustaining the Gov- ernment, in enforcing the laws, maintaining the Union of the States, and protecting the honor of the American flag, and to that end the Legislature will vote all the men and money necessary.
"And be it further resolved, That the Governor of the State be and he is hereby requested to hold and retain all the vol- unteers now in Camp Morton not included in the six regi- ments, until otherwise ordered by the Legislature."
The Senate was also organized on the same day by the
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election of Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Principal Door- keeper, and Assistant Door-keeper by unanimous votes of the Senate, the persons elected being selected equally from the two great political parties of the State.
In the House of Representatives, Hon. Cyrus M. Allen, Speaker of the House, presented the resignation of himself, and the Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Door-keeper. The House then proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and, thereupon, Hon. Horace Heffren, who had been the Democratic candi- date for the office of Speaker of the House at the preceding regular session of the General Assembly, addressed the House as follows:
" Mr. CLERK: Scarcely four months since you and I met in this hall as members of two opposing political parties. At that time the honorable gentleman from Knox (Mr. Allen) was selected as a candidate for Speaker of this House by one of those political parties, and I was selected as the can- didate of the other political party. Times have changed. The Union that you and I love, and we all love, the Star Spangled Banner which my hands, and the hands of my gray haired friend here, assisted in raising over the dome of this building, is in danger. Union and harmony and concession should now be our motto. Our coming together now falls upon a time when our country is menaced with danger, and when our homes and our firesides should be protected. It is, therefore, that on this occasion I take great pleasure in having the privilege of nominating for Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Cyrus M. Allen, of the county of Knox."
The vote was thereupon taken, and Mr. Allen, having received all the votes cast, was declared unanimously elected Speaker of the House. A Clerk, Assistant Clerk and Door- keeper were also elected by unanimous votes, thereby com- pleting the organization of the House.
On the next day, April 25th, Governor Morton delivered to the two Houses of the General Assembly, in joint conven- tion met, the following message:
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GOVERNOR MORTON'S MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives:
You have been summoned together under circumstances of the most grave and important character. Our country is placed in a condition hitherto unknown in her history, and one which all patriots and lovers of liberty throughout the world had fondly hoped would never occur. Civil war, that has ever been the bane of Republics, has been inaugurated by certain rebellious States, which, unmindful of their con- stitutional obligations, and regarding not our common history, blood, interests and institutions, are seeking to dismember the Nation and overthrow the Federal Government, so wisely, and as we had believed, permanently established by our fathers.
The origin of this most wicked rebellion dates back more than thirty years. It is well known that distinguished South- ern statesmen, as early as 1829, cherished the dream of a vast Southern Slaveholding Confederacy, comprehending the con- quest of Cuba, Mexico and Central America. The deter- mination was then formed to break our Republic into pieces by any available pretext. The first one seized upon by South Carolina, was the tariff question; and had not the Nation had for its Executive a man greatly distinguished for patriotism, courage and decision of character, wide spreading and dis- astrous consequences might have followed. By prompt and energetic action, the rebellion was crushed out for a time, to be revived, as subsequent events have shown, on new pretenses and in another form.
The election of a President of the United States through the forms of the Constitution, entertaining opinions obnox- ious to certain States of the Confederacy, is boldly published to the world as just cause for the dissolution of the Union, and bringing on if necessary for that purpose all the horrors of a bloody revolution. It would be an insult to your intelli- gence to argue that the admission of this pretence as a justi- fication would be clearly fatal to all republican government; that popular institutions can only be sustained by submission to the will of the people as expressed through the forms of the Constitution, trusting to the peaceful remedy of the bal. lot-box for the redress of grievances. And the wickedness
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of this pretence is greatly aggravated by the reflection that it is utterly hypocritical, that it was only put forward in fur- therance of schemes entertained for years, and supported by notoriously false assumptions of fact and logic.
When we read the history of the late Democratic conven- tion at Charleston by the light of subsequent events, can we fail to see that the scheme of secession and dismemberment of the Republic was then completely formed, and that the disruption of that convention was one of the steps towards its consummation? If confirmation of this opinion were needed, it will be found in the fact that certain traitorous members of Mr. Buchanan's Cabinet were systematically engaged, for many months before the late Presidential elec- tion, in placing the arms and defences of the Nation in a position to be readily seized by the seceding States.
Secession was at first argued as a right springing from the Constitution itself, but as the movement gained strength, the flimsy pretext was abandoned, and ceased to be a subject of discussion, and what in an hour of weakness was claimed by feeble argument, is now boldly asserted by military power.
The North, conscious of her strength and the rectitude of her intentions, has hitherto remained quiet, making no pre- parations whatever for a conflict of arms. Her forbearance has been construed into cowardice, and her efforts to keep the peace have but provoked increased insolence and aggression. The secession movement has from the beginning been an act of war. Ordinances of secession have been immediately followed and sometimes preceded by the violent seizure and plunder of National property, and the forcible expulsion of the agents and officers of the Federal Government. From the very first, and at every step in its progress, it has been dis- tinguished by acts of hostility and outrage, alike injurious to the Nation and insulting to the people of the loyal States.
The secessionists were profoundly convinced that the co- operation of the Border Slave States could not be procured without a conflict of arms between them and the Federal Government, and hence have labored assiduously to place the Governmentin a position that a collision could not be avoided, except by the most abject submission and humiliation. The
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intention to force a conflict has been most apparent, and delay was suffered only that they might complete their preparations, and when at last their preparations were complete, and wearied by the long forbearance of the Government, they inaugurated hostilities by assaulting and reducing Fort Sumter.
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The place where Fort Sumter is situated had been regu- larly ceded by the State of South Carolina to the Federal Government, and by an express provision of the Constitution was under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States. It was unfinished, and held by a garrison of less than one hundred men, and while in this condition was invested by a large army, cutting off all approach to it by land or sea. The stock of provisions was almost exhausted, and the immediate prospect was presented to the feeble garrison of starvation or yielding up into the hands of an avowed enemy a fortress of the United States. At this juncture, the Federal Gov- ernment, which had waited long, perhaps too long, declared its determination to send provisions to the garrision. Before this attempt could be made, and before a single sail of the fleet was scen off the harbor, a powerful cannonade was opened upon Sumter, which resulted in its destruction and surrender.
Every day brings us intelligence of new outrage and assault. Throughout the rebellious States is heard the note of prepa- ration for an extensive and aggressive campaign. The National capital is menaced, and every avenue of approach for Fed- eral troops and provisions is attempted to be cut off. The free navigation of the Mississippi river, the great artery of commerce of the Northwest, is obstructed; and the usurping government of the rebellious States has issued a proclama- tion inviting the freebooters of all the world to prey upon our National commerce.
We have passed from the field of argument to the solemn fact of war, which exists by the act of the seceding States. The issue is forced upon us, and must be accepted. Every man must take his position upon the one side or upon the other. In time of war there is no ground upon which a third party can stand. It is the imperative duty of all men to
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rally to the support of the Government, and to expend in its behalf, if need be, their fortunes and their blood. Upon the preservation of this Government depends our prosperity and greatness as a nation; our liberty and happiness as individ- uals. We should approach the contest not as politicians, nor as ambitious partizans, but as patriots, who cast aside every selfish consideration when danger threatens their country. The voice of party should be hushed, and the bitterness that may have sprung out of political contests be at once forgiven and forgotten. Let us rise above these paltry considerations, and inaugurate the era when there shall be but one party, and that for our country. The struggle is one into which we enter with the deepest reluctance. We are bound to the people of the seceding States by the dearest ties of blood and institutions. They are our brothers and our fellow coun- trymen. But if they regard not these tender relations, how can we? If they wage war upon us and put themselves in the attitude of public enemies, they must assume all the responsibilities incident to that position. But while I deplore deeply the character of the contest in which we are engaged, nevertheless we should meet it as men.
To our sister State of Kentucky we turn with hope and affection. She has grown rich and prosperous in the Repub- lic; could she do more if she were out of it? It would be a sad day that would sever the bond which binds these States together, and place us in separate and hostile nations. I appeal to her by the ties of common kindred and history; by our community of interest; by the sacred obligations that bind us to maintain the Constitution inviolate, to adhere to the Union, and stand fast by that flag in defence of which she has so often shed her best blood. I pray her to examine her past history and perceive how the tide of her prosperity has flowed on unbroken, and ever increasing, until her limits are filled with material wealth, and her people are respected, elevated and happy; and then inquire if all this is not the result of that Union she is called upon to break, and of that government she is invited to dishonor and overthrow. To ask Kentucky to secede is to ask her to commit foul dishonor and suicide. I trust that the good sense and patriotism of
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her people will not suffer her to be dragged by the current of events, which has been cunningly invented for that purpose, into the vortex of disunion, nor permit her to be artfully in- veigled into an armed neutrality between the rebellious States and the Federal Government. Such a position would be anomalous and fatal to the peace and perpetuity of the Union. There is no ground in the Constitution midway between a rebellious State and the Federal Government upon which she can stand, holding both in check, and restraining the Govern- ment from the enforcement of the laws and the exercise of its constituted authority. Such an attitude is at once uncon- stitutional and hostile. At a time like this, if she is not for the Government, aiding and maintaining it by the observance of all her constitutional obligations, she is against it. If the voice of her people can be heard, I fear not the result. Seces- sion can only triumph, as it has triumphed in other States, by stifling the voice of the people and by the bold usurpation, by demagogues and traitors, of the powers which rightfully belong to them alone. And I might here remark, it is quite manifest that the schemes of the authors and managers of the rebellion extend far beyond the dissolution of the Union, and embrace the destruction of the democratic principle of government, and the substitution of an aristocracy in its stead. In the seceding States the control of public affairs has been withdrawn substantially from the people, and every proposition to submit to their consideration, measures of the most vital importance, has been contemptuously overruled; and we are in truth called upon to fight not only for the Union, but for the principles upon which our State and National Governments are founded.
If the rebellious States hope to profit by dissension in the North, they have erred egregiously, and have wholly failed to comprehend our people. Our divisions were merely political, and not fundamental; and party lines faded instantly from sight when the intelligence went abroad that war was being waged against the nation. When the sound of the first gun reverberated through the land, the people of the North arose as one man, and declared that the Government must be sus- tained, and the honor of our flag preserved inviolate at what-
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ever cost. The events of the last ten days are pregnant with instruction and moral grandeur. They present the action of a people who have suffered much and waited long; who were slow to take offence and incredulous of treason and danger ; but who, when the dread appeal to arms was made, and the issue could no longer be avoided with honor or safety, promptly abandoned the peaceful pursuits of life, and devoted them- selves to the service of their country. I trust that the force of this lesson may not be lost upon our erring brethren of the South, and that they will at once perceive they have inaugu- rated a contest from which they cannot emerge with honor and profit.
On the 15th day of the present month, the President of the United States issued his proclamation calling upon the loyal States to furnish 75,000 men for the protection of the Gov- ernment, the suppression of rebellion and the enforcement of the laws. Subsequently, the quota to be furnished by Indiana was fixed at six regiments, of seven hundred and seventy men each. In obedience to this call, I issued my proclamation, calling for volunteers, and in less than eight days more than twelve thousand men have tendered their ser- vices, and the contest among the companies has been earnest and exciting as to which shall secure a place within the quota. This response has been most gratifying and extraordinary, and furnishes indubitable evidence of the patriotism of In- diana, and her entire devotion to the Union. Without dis- tinction of party, conditon or occupation, men have rallied around the National standard, and in every part of the State may be heard the sound of martial music, and witnessed the mustering of companies into the field. In view of this re- markable response made to the proclamation on the 20th instant, I tendered to the President for the service of the United States six additional regiments; but telegraphic and postal communication having been cut off with Washington, no answer has been received up to this time. A camp was formed in the neighborhood of this city for the reception of the troops, and Major Wood, of the United States army, has been busily engaged for several days in mustering them into the service. There are in camp - companies, being an
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GOVERNOR MORTON'S MESSAGE.
excess of the number called for by the President, and in addi- tion to that, every company largely exceeds, and in some instances more than doubles the number that can be finally received into the company. Some companies came by mis- takes unavoidably occurring in the office of the Adjutant General, and others without marching orders. They will be retained in camp, and provided with quarters and subsistence, awaiting the action of the Legislature. I cannot refrain from here expressing the opinion that has been uttered by many who have visited the camp, that finer material for a gallant army was never assembled.
The report of the Adjutant General, Lewis Wallace, is herewith transmitted, and I beg leave in this manner to ten- der him my hearty thanks for his able and efficient services in that department.
In view of all the facts, it becomes the imperative duty of Indiana to make suitable preparations for the contest by pro- viding ample supplies of men and money to ensure the pro- tection of the State and General Government in the prose- cution of the war to a speedy and successful termination. I therefore recommend that one million of dollars be appropri- ated for the purchase of arms and munition of war, and for the organization of such portion of the Militia as may be deemed necessary for the emergency. That a militia system be devised and enacted, looking chiefly to volunteers, which shall insure the greatest protection to the State, and unity and efficiency of the force to be employed. That a law be enacted defining and punishing treason against the State. That a law be enacted suspending the collection of debts against those who may be actually employed in the military service of the State or the United States. That suitable pro- vision be made by the issue of the bonds of the State or otherwise for raising the money herein recommended to be appropriated. And that all necessary and proper legislation be had to protect the business, property and citizens of the State, under the circumstances in which they are placed.
O. P. MORTON, Governor.
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On the 26th day of April, 1861, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the House of Representatives:
" WHEREAS, Treason, as defined by the Constitution of the United States, prevails to an alarming extent in several of the States of the Union;
"And whereas, In view of this fact, it has become the duty of the President of the United States to call upon the mili- tary power of the country to quell the insurrectionary and rebellious proceedings in the said States, and to enforce the laws and preserve the Union from disruption; therefore,
"1. Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That to suppress such insurrections, to enforce the laws of the General Government, and restore peace and good order to the country, the entire resources of the State are hereby tendered.
"2. Resolved, That we call upon all good citizens, irre- spective of party, to rally in solid phalanx to the rescue of their common country, pledging their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honors to redeem it from the danger in which it has been placed by the hands of traitors.
"3. Resolved, That in our neighbors of Kentucky and other border States, whose loyalty to the Union has been and is unshaken, we have the utmost confidence, and assure them of our faith in their patriotism.
"4. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these resolutions forthwith to the President of the United States and to the Governors of all the States."
On the 6th day of May, 1861, the General Assembly passed an act appropriating the sum of one hundred thousand dol- lars ($100,000,) to the Governor's contingent fund for the purpose of paying the expenses of calling out and sustaining the militia under the requisition of the President of the United States.
On the 9th day of the same month an act was passed en- titled "An act to define certain felonies, and to provide for the punishment of persons guilty thereof." By this act it was provided that any person or persons, belonging to or residing within this State, or under the protection of its laws, who shall take or accept a commission or commissions from
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PUNISHMENT FOR ABETTING TREASON.
any person or persons, State or States, or other enemies of this State or of the United States, for the purpose of joining or commanding any army or band of men hostile to or in rebellion against this State or the United States, or who shall knowingly and wilfully aid or assist any enemies in open war or persons in rebellion against this State or the United States by joining their armies or by enlisting or procuring or per- suading others to enlist for that purpose, or by furnishing such enemies or persons in rebellion with arms or ammunition or provisions, or any other articles for their aid or comfort, or by shipping, sending or carrying to such enemies or rebels, or their agents, any arms, ammunition or provisions or other articles for their aid or comfort, or by carrying on any traitor- ous correspondence with them, or shall form or be in anywise concerned in forming any combination or plot or conspiracy for betraying this State or the United States, or the armed forces of either, into the hands or power of any foreign enemy, or of any organized or pretended government engaged in resisting the laws or authority of the Government of the United States of America, or shall give or send any intelli- gence to any such enemies or pretended government, or their forces, for that purpose, every person so offending shall, upon conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the State Prison for a term not less than two nor more than twenty-one years, and be fined a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars.
By the second section of the same act it is provided that every person who shall within this State build, construct, alter, fit out, or. aid or assist in building, constructing or fitting out any vessel or boat for the purpose of making war or pri- vateering or other purpose, to be used in the service of any person or parties whatsoever, to make war on the United States of America, or to resist by force the execution of the United States, or for the purpose of privateering under the authority of any organized or pretended government, shall, upon conviction thereof, be imprisoned in the State Prison for a term not less than two nor more than twenty-one years, and be fined in a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars. .
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