Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-04-10


our issue of the 9th nit.
GREENFIELD, March o. 1851
To VIM. Carver, John H. Cook Edward Lander, Reu
ben A. Riley, Jacob P. Chapman, Alexander F. Nor
rison VIM. w. Wick, VIM. ]. Peasee Thomas
Hendricks, James Ritchey and Franklin Hardin:
GENTLEMEN
1t is understood that your names will be before the
Convention for the nomination of Democratic Cand
date for Congress, in the fifth district to be
held and it is deemed important that your opinions
respectively should be fully known upon certain points
before the Convention makes its nomination. we there
FORE PROFOUND to each you certain questions through
the Indiana State Sentinel That your opinions may be
well understood, present them in such form that
the each question may be simple yes or no
though you answer in such form may suit each
of you, but desire response in such plain form as
not to be misunderstood.
We request the Editor of the Sentinel to forward to
each of you paper containing these questions, and 10
await your answers not longer than the 10th of April
We do this to the end that all your may
appear together and that each may without the
knowledge of what the answer of the other will be-
lSt. Ii elected TO Congress will you vote against all
propositions repeal the passed the late
of Congress commonly called the compromise
ID. Will you vote against all propositions to change
modify said act. except such propositions may be
necessary render their execution efIectual7
Sd. VIII you vote against the Wimot proyso pre-
scented any of its various forms, and against all propo
sltions calculated to promote or renew the agitation and
excitement of the slave question:
9TH. If the Presidential election should unhappily
come before the House, will you under all possible or
probable circumstances withhold vote from any
opposed the spirit of said compromise measuresi
9TH. Will you vote against appropriations for Rivers
Harbours, Docks &C., in all possible cases. and against
bills making appropriations for any purpose, unless the
object is clearly OF constitutional character and the
amount in the bill necessary for the public good!
Your speedy answers requested, as the minds of
the Democrats in this district active and anxious on
the questions presented, for the time select cand
date is at hand,
Very respectfully,
DAVID w. ODELL.
WILLIAM SHAFFER.
FREDERICK HENDRIX.
With many other Democrats
Below will be found the answers of Messrs. Wick
Cook. PEAsLEE, LANDER, HENDRICKS, MoRRIsoN, RI
LEY, RIrcHEY, and HARDIN.
INDIANAPOLIS, March %, 1851
Messrs. ODELL SHAFFER and HENDRIx:-The Sen
tne containing your nterogatores has been handed TO
me. l afIirmatvey each of said several ques
tlOns WILLIAM j. PEASLEE.
To Messrs. ODELL, SHAFFER HENDRIX and many
other Democrats Of Hancock county:
Dear SirS:-Your very pointed and proper questions
to the aspants for Congress in the fifth district have
been before me- and willingly reply early the lOta
of April, you suggest.
fully acknowledge your right to insist upon direct
answers and therefore nave answered very caegorcaly
giving your questions in their words avoid cir.
eumocution and to present a misconception of the
points. They as follows: You ask
LIST. Ii elected to Congress will you vote against all
propositions repeal the acts passed at the late session
of Congress commonly called the compromise measures7
Answer will
I'd. Will you vote against all propositions to change
modify said act, except such propositions may be
necessary to render their execution efTectual
Answer will.
Sd. Will you vote against the Wilmot proviso pre-
sented in any of its various FORMS and against all prop
osons calculated promote the agitation and
excitement of the sla, We question:
Answer Will.
4h. If the Presidential election should Gnhappily
come before the House, will you under AL possible or
probable circumstances withhold your from any one
opposed to the spirit OF said compromise measures!
Answer will so vote.
9Th. Will you against appropriations for Rivers
Harbours, Docks &C., in all possible cases and against
bills making appropriations Tor any purpose, unless the
object is clearly of constitutional character and the
amount in the bill necessary for the public goodl
Answer most assnredly would, were honored with
the privilege.
have plainly and briefly answered your interrogato
rles in consonance with my honest convictions of right
and wrong and also in conformity what consider
to be the principles Of the true democratic platform.
But have one other word to say; and it is this By
the rule which OF the would candidates seem to
insist upon right and just will probably be ever de-
barred from giving vote or holding scat in Con-
gress They say that citizen OF Marion county has
right to be sent to Congress- for the that this
county has former occasions furnished the Represen
tatve oil the district. Such rule object to, being
unfair and unjust The several counties of the district
have always selected the candidate upon other grounds
than his place of residence, and Marion, Bartholomew
and johnson have each had the honor Of supplying the
district. The last member from johnson county
Mr.. Brown has since his election moved Marion to
edit democratic paper Are all other citizens OF Ma
ron to be- for this reason dsanehsed and ostracsed?
Surely man Of merit would wish establish such
standard OF fitness for Office and il fair inference
that nc who urges such decision for such