Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-11-27
Political Mysierirs Of indianapolis.
CHAPTER XIV.
Causes Of the Difficulty between Col
Pepper and Ourselves.

Early in December last, 1911, now nearly year
ago, we were favored by call from Col. Pepper, for
the purpose, he said. Of friendly conversation in
relation to certain alleged causes of disPleasure to-
wards u.s. the part of the Morrisons and their po-
htical coadutors copartners, styling themselves
Cass-men par erceLsnce. lie observed, by way OF
introduction that he had 10 doubt that through the
medium Of proper understanding and explanation
all difficulties could be reconciled, between them and
US.
We admitted that it was highly probable such
might be the result; and at any rate, we were glad
to have an opportunity for friendly discussion of
the subject with him.
After some further preliminary observations of no
moment at this time, Colonel Pepper proceeded to
urge upon the proPriety Of placing the name Of
Gen. CAss at The head If paper the democratic
candidate for The Presidency tn 1913. As the first
inducement for do SO, he said it in contem
paon to start another democratic paper here the ne
cessity for which would be oJriated by making
the nomination suggested by him.
We at once observed to him, that if this was in
tended as a threat, We should totally disregard it
that we should never be driren into movement of
this kind but, if he had reasons to offer in favor Of
his proposition, we were ready to listen and pay ali
due regard to them. He disclaimed any design Of
cOercion his part, and proceeded to give his
sons in favor of the nomination of Gen Cess al that
early day. These were of a sectional char
acter. And he expressed his opinion, that if the
nomination could be made as he proposed it would
scttle the question of the Succession fer this
State was concerned, least Col. P. then gave his
reasons why zee should lead off in this matter. He
evidently regarded our attitude with military eye.
We occupied, he observed, central and commanding
position and could exercise controlling influence.
He thought this influence should be exercised at cnce
in nominating Gen. Cass for the Presidency In 1913
He had doubt, he said, if this done, that all
the other democratic papers in the State would oOp
suit that the people would agree to it in popular
meetings, and the great object of the succession be
consummated without the slightest difficulty.
We quietly listened to The Colonel, while he reier-
ated his arguments in dozen different shapes, and
then frankly and plainly told him could accede
to his proposition let the consequences to person.
ally, be what they might We told him that though
we would support Gen. Cass as the democratic NOM
inee, with as much alacrity as we would any other
man, thought his (Col P.'s) proposition preusa-
trs, iHerpedisnt and uyustifabc for several reasons
In the first place we stated that our views of the
widely different from those entertained and expressed
by him. We did not think it right to attempt to
else controlling influence" on any such subject
even there no other objection in the way. But
in addition we declared our belief that such nomi-
nation, at early day, before the Inauguration of
President Polk and before the turmoil Of the election
Just held had subsidized, would be impotic and abOr
tive, and would be likely to do much more injury to
the prospects of Gen. Cass than il could possibly do
good. BY announcing him at early day, we
should subject him to the assaults of the Wings for
nearly four gears before the election, without the
hottest prospect of doing any good on our part
than could be done without such an announcement of
his We told him, that according to our views
of Duty instead of attempting dictate public sent
ment, in the way he suggested, could only proper
ly act in representative capacity, as it WERE We
said to him, that 1t might be very proper perhaps for
himself and other friends Of Gen. Cass to procure the
desired nomination in as many "local" papers, and
many primary meetings of the people as possible
that would cheerfuly assist to give such express
sons all the weight due to them but that neverthe-
less, far placing Gen. Cass's name at the head
of our paper concerned could not accede TO it
until the Democratic State Convention Ito be held
this wnter) should take such action as should war
rant US in so doing.
We reminded the Col. of the condemnation which
he and his friends had pronounced against the
"Globe, for its alleged dictaton in regard to Mr..
Van Buren,. We asked him if what was wrong in
the "Gobe,' could be right in the State Sentinel !!
He could not but admit the force Of this and other OBJ
jections, but still he was not convinced or satisfied,
and continued to press the subject, by desiring
know whether we would consider an expression by
the Democratic members of the Legislature (then in
session. in favor of Gen. Cass's nomination sufi-
cient to warrant in placing his name at the head
of our columns We replied in the negative be-
leving they had been elected by the people without
reference to this subject nevertheless, we said we
should consider the action proposed highly important
whatever might be opinion of its expediency and
would pay all due respect to it.
Col. p then informed us that it was the intention
of himself and those for whom he spoke, to obtain
such expression from the members of the legsla-
ture, and said that Gen. Drake would hand US no.
tice for call of the members. He then left
The call for meeting of the democratic members
of the Legislature and other democrats to make ar
rangsnsnts for The coming SA Of January was soon
after handed in, and published in the Legislative
Sentinel. The meeting was held-business relative
to the 5th transacted-and Gen. Drake then stated
the meeting. if recollect rightly, that it had been
his intention offer resolution favoring the nomi-
nation of Gen. Cas- as the next Presidential candi-
date; but the meeting thin, he would defer it
until the adjourned meeting to be held subsequently,
The adjourned meeting was held, but the purpose
of Gen. Drake having been freely spoken of in the