Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-31
TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIANA.

Inc pOlItlcaI 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. Constitution,) will
come under review,-wiI be topics of dis
cussion, and, more or less, be subjected 10
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 override and set aside all stat
utorv 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 a successful issue,-of the
preliminary discussion of every proposed
change, by candidates for the convention,
and especially by the public press.
| H. ,oo.t ,,;,ol o,,d ;o,,o,.tont ,,oao.,roc
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 TO any collateral con-
siderations.
Among the principal questions, which have
hardly been mentioned, is the very important
one of Law reform: mean, 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 as 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
GUoid 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-
cially banks. The bank question will hardly
be presented before we shall have three dis
tinct parties, at least-one for the Stale
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-
ativeIy less moment, perhaps, but still of great
consequence, and which will elicit more or
4 less discussion. In the discussion of these
questions, all the newspapers of the State
will take part, editorialy and by scores
pondence.' In addition 10 what we may
feel called upon to say ourselves, and what
may be furnished originally to us from able
men who have reiormatory propositions to
make,-it is our intention to copy into the
Estate SENTINEL eUery article which
may appear in any other paper, and which
we think will in any degree enlighten 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 pariizan or personal character,
we call upon all citizens who feel that inter-
est which every good citizen should feel on
such an occasion, 10 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, me-
cessariy occupy much of the time and space
at our commando but it is the design OF the
editors that the SENTINEL shall as usual
furnish It's readers with the earliest and most
authentic News of the day, both Foreign
and Domestic Its Scientific, Literary, and
Miscellaneous departments will also receive
such attention as our limits will permit us TO
besiow.
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