Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-11-13
The Issue.

The issue.
A series Of articles have made their appearance in the
Daily Lafayette Courier, in relation to the Compromise
measures, and the policy of the Democratic party in In
diana in reference to these measures, which demand
from US some notice; for the reason, that they foresha-
dow the policy OF a small fragment of the Democratic
party. The Courier is edited by w. R. Ellis, a brother
and former partner Of the Auditor OF State, and editor
Of The Indiana Statesman These articles, no doubt,
speak the views and sentiments Of the Auditor, who is
shaping his course for a denomination for the office he
now holds.
In the controversy between the friends Of Gov. Wright
and Hon. Jesse d. Bright, we have taken no part. not
withstanding the Ellis clique have set us down as the
enemy of the Governor. We stated that Gov. Wright
had always been the friend of the Compromise measures.
We did so on the authority of the Governor himself, and
on the evidence of his written letters and printed speech
es, end his message. Now, Ellis denies our authority
to make any such declaration. and says:
owe are no nearer believing that a full and hearty
acquiescence in the Fugitive Slave Law, is the touch
stone test Of Democracy, than we were before the de-
cree went forth from the Sentinel. And all the cries Of
'Abolitionist , 8 Fanatic { Freesoiler, > Away with him, ,
Hang him. and the like, that can be crowded into the
Sentinel and Madisonian, cannot brighten Joe Wright,
or any other man Of sense, from the faith Of our Demo
cratic sires."
What he means by frightening Joe Wright from the
faith OF our Democratic sires, we are unable to divine.
II Gov. Wright is in favor of the Compromise, as he has
always asserted, why the necessity OF talking about
frightening him from the Democratic faithl Does he
mean to say that Gov. Wright is to be frightened by an
endorsement Of the Constitutional Justice and necessity
OF the Fugitive Slave Law7 We doubt his au-
thority to make any such assertion. His object, we
presume, is to build up a platform for the Democratic
party Of Indiana, and to place Gov. Wright, and the no.
minees Of the February Convention, on that platform
a platform which will be broad enough to include the
Demings, the Stevenses, tie Julans, and the Hulls, and
thereby condemn and repudiate all who have supported
the Compromise measures. This platform is. foresha-
dowed in the following extract:
The BtvsrMENr ADJUsrED.-Wc have seen no.
thing Of late that comes nearer our views Of the manner
OF disposing OF the Adjustment measures, by the Demo-
cratic party, than the suggestions OF a correspondent OF
the New York Evening Post, writing from Saint Louis.
His plan is that the North shall acknowledge the right
of the Shareholders to recover their slaves, after a fair
trial, with all the necessary safeguards against kidnap-
ping freemen; that the South shall agree to amend the
Fugitive law, in every respect in which it is liable to
serious objection, whether on account OF its unconstitu-
tionality, the unnecessary hardships inflicted on the fugi-
tive, or its infringements on the liberties Of free citizens
aad further, that they should assent to a limitation clause
90 the Fugitive law, so that on the same principle by
which an ordinary debt is ouilawed, a slave going IN
claimed six, eight or ten years, shall be free.
That the North are willing to acccde to the South
their right to recover their slaves, after a fair trial, there
can be no dispute. And If the South would submit TO a
modification Of the Fugitive law, by which its most OBJ
jsctionable features would be changed, a Union platform
could be adopted, upon which the Democracy Of the
Union could unite, with a hearty good will, and trium-
phantly elect any man who might be the nominee of the
National Democratic Convention. Such a course strikes
US as far preferable to that marked ont by certain dicta-
tors. who would rather glory in the defeat of the Demo-
cratic party, than submit to the alteration of the Com
promises, even to the crossing Of a 81 or the the dOtting
OF an 'i.'n
The above paragraph appears in the Courier of the
Sd inst. On the following day the Editor again refers
to this subject aud calls attention to the fact that an at
tempt will be made by the Democratic Convention to
endorse these measures. That our readers may sec his
object, we copy them entire.
xrERPoLArIox.-We have already said as much on
the subject OF adding to the Democratic creed, the COM
promise measures, as a proper regard for the tastes OF
our readers would seem to dictate. But as the time is
fast approaching when the two parties, Democratic and
Wing, will be called upon to take some action on the
subject, and as there is a manifest determination on the
part Of a portion Of the Democratic pres. to force the
Democratic Convention to endorse in toto to the fullest
extent, the so-called compromise measures, including
the Fugitive Slave Law, we shall be pardoncd for re.
verting to the subject again. There are various rea-
a course. And
Fra-There is nothing OF a party nature in the CON-
promise measures. They are merely an act OF Con-
gress, subject to amendment or repeal at any time,
when the good OF the country may demand it. :
Secoad-Tberec could no good come Of il, but evident
lymnch evil. Without snch an Interpolation the entire
party could be rallied upon tho unusually large ticket
that viii be formed, thus securing complete triumph.
Third-Tberea are thousands Of Democrats, good and
true, who never can be made to endorse the Fugitive
Slave Law, as a Democratic who
have done as much service in the ranks as any others.
And it would be a fragrant wrong to drive such veter-
ans from the ranks.
We again repeat, that if these were the isolated opin-
ions of w. R. Ellis, we should pass them unnoticed
but they foreshsdow the policy Of a small branch Of the
Democratic PARTY, headed by DIR. Z. w. Fl. Ellis, the
present Auditor Of State, who are determined to con-
troll, If possible, the approaching Democratic Conven-
ton. In relation to this policy, we wish now clearly
and unequivocaly to define our position and the position
Of the Sentinel. We mean neither to deceive or be de.
ceived. We viii support the nominees of that Conven-
ton, poUidef they are sound and consistent Democrats,
and opposed TO the further agitation of the slavery ques.
tisn, and in favor of adhering to the compromise mea-
sures, and opposed to the repeal Of the Fugitive Slave
Law; and the man on that ticket who refuses 10 show
his hand, or whose position is the least doubtful, will be
defeated. II the Convention follow ths noble example
Of Pennsylvania, and other Northern States, by fully
endorsing these measures in the series Of resolutions
which may be adopted, all the candidates accepting the
nomination, viii by that act place themselves on the
platform Of the Democratic party, and further exposi-
tions Of their views will be unnecessary; but If tho Con-
vention adopt the no~n-oommit.al policy OF Ellis & CO.,
the people will know the views Of their candidates, and
q rsferenoe to past acts viii not satisfy them. They
must and viii have pledges in clear, strong and plain
English language. Avast majority Of the people of In
diana are opposed to the further agitation Of the slavery