Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-02-14

The political year which will commence
with the passage of the Constitutional Con-
vention Bill by the present Legislature. will
be the most important one TO all the people
of the State, since the adoption of the pres
ent Constitution in the year Eighteen Hun
dred and Sixteen.
The People, through their delegates, will
exercise the sovereign power OF revising,
amending, and, at their pleasure, of chang
ing, the present FUNDAMENTAL LAW. Moth
ing, certainly, of a political nature, can be
OF more importance; for not only all politi-
cal, but all civil rights, excepting that we
must adhere TO some sort of republicanism,
as prescribed by the U. S. Consituton,) will
come under review,-will be topics of dis
cussion, and, more or less, be subjected TO
amendment or change.
That there will be some alterations of the
present Supreme Law, is universally admit
ted and some of them will no. doubt be of
radical character Whatever they may
be, they will over-rule and set aside all stat
utory enactments, and all common law prin-
ciples, which conflict with them.
The Constitutional Convention is but
Great Committee, appointed by the People,
to carry out their wishes in regard to this all
| important matter.
1t is true that the people will have to pass
judgment upon the charter which will be the
result of the labors of the Convention, before
it can take the place of the present Constitu.
ton, but that does not do away with the ne
cessity,-to ensure successful issue,-of the
preliminary discussion of every proposed
change, by candidates for the convention,
and especially by the public press.
The most vital and important measures
which will be proposed, have hardly been
mentioned, much less discussed. While on
the other hand, propositions of no conse-
quence comparatively, and possibly of inju-
rious tendency, have apparently obtained
general consent, without regard TO any great
principle involved, or 10 any collateral con-
siderations.
Among the principal questions, which have
hardly been mentioned, is the very important
one of Lav reform: we mean, a radical re-
formation of our judicial system. We have
borrowed nearly all our ideas and practices
on this subject from Great Britain,-entirely
disregarding any provisions which might be
proftably derived from the continent of Eu-
rope. Our judicial system it is, is thought
by many, to be radically wrong, and contin-
ually working the greatest injury TO litigants
of all sorts. 1t is so wrong, that good men
aUOid courts of justice, as they would pes
thence. Such system need not exist, and
should not be tolerated. A radical reform
should take place, and it depends on the peo-
pie to see that it shall be done.
Another topic of great interest, is the en-
actment of some specific rules under which
may be erected business corporations, espe-
cialIy banks. The bank question will hardly
be presented before we shall have three dis
tinct parties, at least-one for the State
Bank, one for General System, and one for
no banks at all. All these will have much to
say to the people.
There are several other topics of compar-
atiyely less moment, perhaps, but still Of great
consequence, and which will elicit more or
less discussion. In the discussion of these
questions, all the newspapers OF the State
will take part, editorially and by scores
pondence." In addition TO what we NAV
feel called upon TO say ourselves, and what
may be furnished originally 10 us from able
men who have reformatory propositions TO
make,-it is our intention 10 copy into the
STATE SENTINEL every article which
may appear in any other paper, and which
we think will in any degree enghten and
rightlully guide the people generally.
This purpose being conceived in honesty
of intention, and without the least disposition
TO accomplish any sinister design whatever,
whether of partizan or personal character,
we call upon all citizens who feel that inter-
est which every good citizen should feel on
such an occasion, TO give his aid and coun-
tenance in the accomplishment of the task,
by subscribing themselves, and by inducing
others to do so.
The discussion of these great questions
will, from their paramount Importance, ne
cessarily occupy much of the time and space
at our command; but it is the design of the
editors that the SENTINEL shall as usual
furnish its readers with the earliest and most
authentic News of the day, both Foreign
RI and Domestic. Its Scientific, Literary, and
! Miscellaneous departments will also receive
; such attention as our limits will permit us to
) besow.
Therefore we hope that all into whose
: hands this prospectus may fall, and all who
may read it, will exert themselves to extend
our circulation; and to that end, so far as
we are concerned. we propose to issue the
!, weekly on the following
REDUCED TERMS!.
Single subscriptions. one year, $500
Three copies will be sent one year