Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-07-04
The Convention.

tering and amending State Constitution are can
vassing the Stale with much spirit; but there appears
TO be n non committalism, the part of the Wing
candidates especially that should induce every good
citizen least to look well over the whole ground
bef're lac casts his vute.
The Democratic party in our country. well as IN
all others. is decidedly the party o: progress. All
the useful reforms in government have originated with
that party. To go no farther back than The adoption
Of the Constitutions of the United States. we fad
struggle, in this glorions land Of liberty, for
popular rights. The federalists of that day, from
whom the Wings of the present descended, were in
favor of strong governnent-he election of Pres
ident and Senate for ife-the appointment of the
Governors of the States by the President. &c. This
was opposed by the Democrats. headed by Jefferson,
and to this point we can clearly trace the origin OF
the two great political parties of the present day in
our country. 1t is true, that the Wings have been
called by different names-Federalisis. National Re-
publicans, &c,-but still they have difficulty in
tracing their regular succession down, in unbroken
line. from Hamilton and the elder Adams.
few years ago, when Democracy in her progress
sive march. determined to confer more power upon
the people in the election of officers-taking in
the Judiciary proper to be elected by the people,
the Wings. as party stood back in arnazement-de-
claring that we sapping the great citadel of the
lCOnsituion-that life and property would be unsafe
were we to throw open the election of Judges to
the populace-bad men would be elected. dependant
the multitude for their elections and the wheels of
justice would be clogged. The very argument, that
induced Mr.. Hamilton and his conductors to go for q
President and Senate for life again urged--they
were afraid to trust the people The principle, how
ever, has irumphed. Democratic Conventions
held to form and amend State Constitutions Judges,
for several years past have been elected by the people,
The result has been that better have been select
ed because the people, who elected their Judges were
all interested in the proper administration Of the
laws.
| Democratic truth viudca,ed, in the safety Of
comforting power on the people to elect their own
officers, aud the wing members of our last Le-
gislature were foolish enough to think, that they
could palm off this Democratic reform as good Wing
doctrine.
The election of Judges is foregone conclu-
sion but see that il has been brought about under
the spirit of Democratic progress.
Tie Democratic party, unlike the Wings, are jeal-
of comforting too much power their Represen-
taves. BY the exercise of too much power. by Leg
islatiye bodies, many Of the States of this Union
have been brought the very verge of ruin In the
late Conventions where Democrats have invariably
held the uscendnncy the power TO do evil has been
limited. and that power will be limited we have no
doubt, in amended Constitution. No State loan
will hereafter be suffered be contracted, without the
people first authorizing or passing upon II at the polls
With regard to the Banking system-a system of
exclusive privileges to the few-the same jealous
guardianship should be exercised. On this question,
the lines Of Democracy and Whiggery plainly
marked. The great battle of reform in Banking has
been fought mainly by Democrats. 1t was Demo-
cratic President that put down that old aud corrupt
monster, the United States Bank. 1t was Democrats,
by the force Of legislation, that compelled the State
Banks to resume specie payments; and whenever
there has been great Bank struggle, we have nva-
riably behed Whiggery for the Banks and Democra-
cy for the people. We speak now Of the two great
parties-nol of isolated individuals Many Demo-
Gratis. in Indiana, interested in Banking, and
private interest may operate upon democrat as well
as a wing. But if we must have Banking in Indi-
ana there is the greatest necessity for Democratic
msorlty in the Convention, in order that guards
should be thrown around 1t because, the whole Bank
question will be thrown open before that body.
On ordinary occasions, when man, appearing be-
fore the people a candidate, makes pledges are
disposed to cOnfde in him; but on the question of
Banking. there will be great room for lodging. No
dgested system is before the people. Individual and
often crude notions are advanced, in order, in too
many instances fear, TO catch the popular breeze.
When the Convention meets, great outline is to be
adopted Candidates discussing many points
that will not come before them in the Convention, in
order to throw dust in the eyes Of the people. The
clause relative to Banking. if one is inserted in the
Constitution, must necessarily DO brief; and may be
something which has purposey escaped the attention
of the candidate, who has been discussing Details To-
stead of general principles
A Wbig candidate on the Wabash-a man who
once worshipped no other shrine but that of Uni
ted States Bank. in closely contested county, is
preaching long and loud, in favor of prohibiting the
circulation of all bills under tho denomination OF
twenty doars,-is in favor Of individual liability
is loud in deprecatng party in the election of Dele
gates and hopes to get great many Democratic
votes. But that mans legislative career shows tina
decided wing partizan legislaied in tn,
walls of our State House He never voted for dem
ocrai and being an oily, plausible, pleasant It'll,
gentleman with all the marks of candor written upor
his countonance, he was generally selected TO worl
the wires, whenever any great party movement wal
to be made; and should he be elected we expect e
6nd him at his old VOCATION and should dread hi
power.
A candidate, not hundred miles from Indanapo
lis. is operating smaller scale. by exhibiting