Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-11-13
Po,itical mysteries of Indianapolis.

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CHAPTER
One of the principal aroed causes of the hostility
of the Old Democratic Junto, together with its
recruits, against the Editors of the State Sentinel,
grew out of the conflicting views in relation the
Presidential canvass previous to the last Baltimore
Convention.
From the time Of the defeat of 1540 to within two
months of the Baltimore Convention of May, 1914,
it was almost universally considered, and conceded
by sort of general consent, that Mr.. Van Buren,
would be the candidate of the Democratic party for
reelection.
So far zee are concerned, we are willing to ac-
knowledge that participated in what seemed to
be the general sentiment Of democrats, that olced
a. 10 party, much more than to Mr. Van Bu-
rem to re-elect him if we could. But never were
so much bound to Mr.. Van Buren,, or any other man,
to induce hazard the of our party and
its principles for the sake of showing our confidence
in and respect to him.
Our course during the canvass was governed by
the following considerations:
We regarded the nomination of Mr. Van Buren, as
as event very likely to happen. The Baltimore
Convention, however, the tribunal to settle that
question We thought that the wiseSt course aehich
could be pursued especially IN this STATE, ,chere par
ties nearly balanced 10 keep ourselves and
our party UNcoMMITTED as to ANY man to keep
UNITED and possible PROGRESSIVE in party strength
the grounds of PUBLIC POLICY alone and TO point
continually 10 the Baltimore Contention the proper
and timely arbitrator Of the question Of candidacy,
chose decision al ssoad dcquiesce.
Were these views right and pslitic, or were they
wrong and impolitics On the answer to this ques-
tha diSoD Of
by the Democratic party at large.
That maintained this impartial position in rela-
ton to candidates, is indirectly though strongly prov
ed by these facts, to wit: While here, at Indiana
polls, it charged by the Old Junto that we were
too exclusively devoted to Mr. Van Buren,--on the
other hand in the Northern part of the State it
supposed that said too little en- his aror, and that
too much disposed to favor Gen. Cass at Mr..
Van BHren'S erpensel
The truth is, that acting in accordance with the
policy to which we have referred above and which
was based on the necessity of the times and the cir
cumstances predominant, did endeavor, zealously,
to defend Mr. Van Buren, against the false charges
which had been heaped upon him by the Wings, es-
pecially during the Hard Cider Canvass. We were
induced to do this, without avowng him to be our
first choice candidate for reelection, for various
reasons: It was due to party well as to him
SELF that the false charges against him should be
PEELED and refued for the Partys character and
dit, as we'll as Mr.. Van Buren's.
he had obtained the nomination. as it was highly
probable that he would then we should have had the
advantage of the defensive warfare with the wings
beforehand, and would have Immediately changed our
attitude into exclusively cGensire against their
principles and their candidate.
Whether Mr.. Van Buren, was nominated or not
the defensive articles which we published in his
favor could not possibly have done the slightest harm
either to our party, or to any other candidate So
that nothing could, any event, by such course be
lost to the democratic party. 1t was safe policy il
not sure one
! This policy, however, by suited the Old
Junto at indianapolis. Supremacy selfish themselves
they could not realize the fact that the motives which
actuated were any more generous, or any less
heartless or mercenary than their own. FoloUing
the camp for the sake of 'spoils alone they could
not believe that of ordinary Intelligence could
do a soldiers duty for any thing butPay They saw
or thought they saw, that the chances for them to OBJ
tain office under Mr. V. B. was smaller that it would
be under any body else. A. F. Morrison k7lelc this
was has predcament, for Mr.. Van Buren, while Presi
dent had refused to give him land Office because Of
his known nerce1dry and doubtful political character
Others supposed it would be the with them, be-
cause the Globe had announced that it would not be
likely that those who had held Office for years under
Jackson and Van Buren, would be reinstated, if Mr.
Van Buren, should be restored"
The Old Junto then as we have observed, were not
willing that should maintain impartial position
as to candidates. 0-rThey wished and solicited ant
urged u.s. virtually to drop Mr.. Van Buren,, and il
adrance of the Baltimore Convention to declare Gen
Cass the first choice of Indiana.
| This we REFUSED to do. We should have been to-
tally unworthy of the position we occupy if we had
yielded to their unwarranted and base solicitations
But while thus refusing to forestaH the Baltimore
Convention, we refused to give the friends Of
any and every candidate including Gen. Cass, fill
and free scope in columns to discuss the relatire
merits Of EACH and the probabilities Of success rch one
more than another. That the Junto did not avail
themselves of this liberality freely was owing
to the fact that they relied, they always have DONE
much more on intrigue trickery, and management,
than upon open and honest avowals and appeals to
the people.
In justification of refusal to weld to their I'M
warrantabe acquisitions, cited these men to the
State Contention of January, 1874, which had ap-
proved and adopted the policy of referring the subject
of personal preferences entirely to the National Con-
vention for settlement though it was well known
that large majority of that State Convention person
ally preferred Mr.. Van Buren,. We cited them also
to the numerous meetings of the people, and the re-
solutions which passed this subject and to
the Press of the State majority of which had declar-
ed Mr. v. B. their first choice But all these and
other considerations of like nature, had no weight