Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-01-16

occasion Of the AnniUersaryo Of the Battle of Nelc
Orleans, deirered IN The Hal Of The House Of Rep
sresentatires, Indianapolis, lie 6A Of January,
1915
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
Many of you will doubtless remember, that we met
together in this Hall, one year ago. 1t was here the
democracy of the State assembled on that OCCASION
II here braced on arnor, and unfurled the
broad banner, under which rallied for one OF the
most memorable political contests IN the history of
the country The year has rolled around, and we
have returned a.ain,-but under what different cir
cumsiancesl Then, the busy notes OF preparation
rupied thoughts and the doubts and fears incident
TO important struggle, could not but flour minds
with uncaslness and apprehension. Now, all the
clouds that lowered hopes scattered away
and glorious victory has rewarded our exertons. We
have, indeed, abundant cause for joyful congratua-
tfon.
There were many circumstances connected with the
late contest, of which we may be justly proud We
went forth TO the battle, with principles broadly
inscribed upon banners Placing trust in the
honesty and intelligence Of the people, it was our
chief care, that the objects we were conending for
should be thoroughly discussed and clearly manifest
ed. Upon those principles, alone, did we rely. We
called tc our assistance no adveDtiticus aid but Sc
iectng for our standard bearer, man, only known
fcf his pure life, and his able and consistent mainte
of those principles, appealed to country
men to sustain him upon those grounds alone. Our
victory is, therefore, triumph of principles secured
fT honest means, and such, II the more Ealua-
be- and more likely to be permanent.
Let recur, Tor moment, to those principles
They the great conservatives of cur republican
institutions and honestly believe, upon their
cessful maintenance depends tie continued welfare
and prosperity of the country They consist briefly, II
The maintenance ef The popular SOrereigai, and Of
equality of legal rights and prireges amongst al The
people These objects are sufficiently secured by our
present constitution provided, the provisions of that
instrument are strictly adhered to, We are, there
fore, strict constructioniss. We look, firstly, TO the
safeguards of the constitutions and secondly to the
laws of natural equity and justice for tests, by which
TO form our judgment of public measures.
There is this difference IN the position of the dem
Gratis In this country and Of those In other parts OF
the world, that while the latter striving wrest
their natural rights from the oppressors who hold them
IL sublecton the former endeaYorng to preserve
these they have already acquired. We are, there
fore; always on the defensive. When the necessity
for resistance ceases have longer occasion for
party organization. But such has been the
case. There has always been party IN the country,
formidable from It's talents lis wealth, and its
ber, who would render that instrument merely dead
letter, by exercising powers not granted by It, by
forced constructions, violating its meaning and the In
tentionS of its authors Such is the IN reference
to the various questions upon which the two great
parties have been divided.
No man find any direct power in the constitu-
ton either charter bank, portion of the
people for the purpose of giving bounty TO another,
to collect money, under any pretence whatever from
the public with view of distributing it out again to
the people, the States gift. All these powers
attempted to be carried into operation by consruc-
tons. We oppose them; and one reason for our OPP
position is that is dangerous to permit the exercise
of this kind of constructive powers. If 1t is done
for purpose, 1t will be for others, and the barrier
once 5roken through, would be altogether useless.
Each set OF men who might happen to be temporarily
in power, would always find plausible reasons, for
sill 1TIO SuTta any fhav
might have IN view; oppose these measures, also,
because they are, themselves ust, unequal and
oppressive IN their operation and 1t is of the
strongest imaginable proofs of the wisdom and fore
thought of those who framed that admirable instru-
meni, that all the assumptions OF power, and ali the
obnoxious measures, have contended against,
party will be found on strict examination, to be un-
Constitutional
There is obvious distinction between principle
and measure, and yet they continually confound-
ed, especially by opponents. A principle, I'M
derstand to be fundamental rule sentiment oPin-
ion 4 political principle in lis usual application, is
not only fixed rule, but having relation to
the structure, mode of government, in the
nifty where Is entertained Mere trulsms or abstract
theories having such relation car never form the
basis OF permanent party organization. There are
three primary modes Of government known In the civ
ihzed world. The despotic, where one man has un-
limited authority the arisocratc, where the powers
well the fayors of government, are chiefly
Conferred upon the higher, more wealthy, bet
ter classes, as they are tefmed,-and the demo-
cratic, where all are equal, and al are entitled
to the privileges. The last was, unques-
tlonabiy, the plan upon which our government was
organized; but there are, ungnestlonabiy, many
persons In the country who would prefer the second
If they do not directly advocate such plan they dc
SO indirectly, by supporting measures which would
practically change democratic system, into 81
the arisocratlc character This difference of sentt
ment was the true cause Of the origin of our party d
visions, and the antogonstical principles which pre-
vail in the couy must seyeray be referable to these
two modes of government. There never has been
there be any other, while this radical differ
of sentiment exists, of sufficient interest
portance to keep the vast of the people con
stanty divided ard arrayed in two great Aossle par
ties.
These principles were, during the late canvass
thoroughly discussed in relation to the varicts Issues
which were presented before the public. We have
been successful The people, In the majesty of thei
power have decided that democracy shall still con
tinue predominant in the government. We must not
however, for moment, imagine, that our labors arr
at an end. We have had experience enough TO dem
onsrate, that '.the price of liberty is eternal vigI
lance" If we would preserve those democratic In
situations, which have rendered our country pros
porous and happy, must be ever watclful. Th
arms of truth are irresistible but they must be KEEP
bright by constant The great Creator has, al
things, placed the means of happiness within on
reach but imposed upon US the necessity of usn!
their, if would enjoy their benefits. The tenden
cy which has ever existed in man to enslaye his fel
lows is as active In this country as In any other, ant
Is the more dangerous, because always insidious i
its first movements 1t progresses, step by step, an
by stealth, aud gradual encroachments until it accu
niuates sufficient power to cast aside the mask,
strike down the remains of liberty by open force
We may be told, that there is no danger,-tha
arern rely without foundation