Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-28
THE DEMOCRACY OF INDIANA.


apolis on the 22d of the present month, for the
purpose of more effective organization of the
party, and to insure perfect action of all who
may desire the success of the Democratic prin-
ciples.
On the same day, the Senate Of Indiana, by
a vote Of 20 to "a, elected the Hon. ISAAC
BLACKBOARD to the United States Senate. 1t
has been represented by a Geographic dispatch
from Cincinnati, that Joseph G. Marshall an
Abolitionst, was elected by the House. This
is not true. The name Of Judge Blackford
was stricken out by the House and resolution
providing for an election by joint convention
substituted. 1t is now certain that the Old
Liners in the State Senate, will indefinitely
postpone the election which every true Demo
crat in the United States will approve.
Judge Blackford is as true Democrat as
lives, sound on all questions, particularly the
Constitution and its compromises. lie is the
author Of Blackford's Reports, which have given
him celebrity throughout Europe, as well as in
his own country, and has been identified with
the State of Indiana from her earliest history.
He was not an asprant for the station, and was
taken up to show that it was principles rather
than men that the Democrats Of Indiana are
contending for, and that to carry out those
principles they have presented a name with
to ability or personal worth. =
The following are the address and resolu.
tons unanimously adopted by the meeting be-.
fore alluded to, and to which we invite the atten-
ton Of our readers
| To THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF INDI.
ANA.-The present condition Of political affairs
in this country is subject Of much interest to
every citizen. The elements which constitute
the causes Of difference in political action and
principle are SO diversified and opposite in
character, that it is matter Of difficulty often
| for the candid mind to decide what course or
inhue nee is safest or best; to discriminate be-
tween the transient and permanent; to draw
a just line of distinction between the honest
and dishonest pretensions of political leaders.
In no country are the rights Of the citizen,
and the nature Of government so much dis.
cussed rs in this Still, but little attention,
frequently, is paid to the views of many OF
those who claim to be the light of the people,
when otherwise the careful observer could not
/
fish, but really have no philosophical or patri-
otto basis whatever.
1t becomes then, the natural inquiry of the
citizen, how he is to distinguish the right from
the wrong, and without more error than ordi-
narily falls to the lot Of humanity to do his
duty TO himself and his country. What make
the standards of party? Which standard is
right, and how are others wrong?
We deem this profitable subject oGinquiry.
| 1t is not, it is true, a new one. But it is not
an uninteresting one. All will agree in its
Importance. And it must at least be of some
service, even though unable to add new en-
! lightenment, that the citizen be reminded Of
what he already knows and rendered familiar
with The fundamental principles OF our instilu-
tons, which should certainly be ever present,
at least with the members Of a party that
trusts to be permanent
Parties are either permanent or transient
the former recognizing fundamental princi
| pies which ever remain true--the latter organ
izing and recognizing according to incidental
circumstances, local interests, special inter-
ests, or special reforms. The former raises its
standard, declares its principles, and through
them reaches the various causes of reform, and
adopts all practicable measures that promise
TO conduce TO the prosperity of the country.
4 The latter is either conservative or ultra
| special or local-as best suits the occasion. 1t
carries the standard of n day; avows but ono
principle Of thousand. 1t is partial and
looks to single interest. 1t seeks to increase
the power of the few without regard to the ex-
pense of the many. 1t existed yesterday, and
to-day it is not
The Democratic party of this country, how
ever, has its standard Of principle and rule OF
action. 1t seeks to reach the whole principle,
and to secure equal rights to all without un.
just sacrifice to any. 1t stands upon the basis
Of the Constitution, and yields none of its safe
guards TO construction. 1t sustains the hum
blest citizen in all his rights, and the States
| in their prerogativcs of sovereignty. II iavors
| simplicity Of life, the elevation of the people,
and rigid economy in the administration Of
government. 1t seeks 10 extend the greatest
good to the whole people. The declarations
Of the party, adopted years ago, still remain
the standard. As new measures are acted upon
and determined, they cease TO continue subjects
Of party discussion.
The history Of the Democratic party shows
that when its measures have been tested, they
have proved true to their objects Having
been almost always the dominant party, our
prosperity as a nation is Justly attributable TO
its prudent and patriotic measures. 1t ever has
been prudent in its expenditures, and time al.
ways proves it faithful to its trusts
To this party there is an opposition this
time apparently formidable. We would speak
Of this opposition without wishing to be dis.
courteous to any Of its members; but to spare
it from animadversion would be a compromise
Of duty. This opposing party places its stand
ard in particular measures. When those
measures are gone, its standard is gone Also
1t is party that hopes to succeed by the sup
posed errors Of its opponeptg without refcrapc %
to any fundamental principles of its own It
fayors the interests Of those who least require
protection, sustains the power Of corporations,
seeks TO extend the influence OF the few at the
expense Of the many. The question which
have served it for the time being rs rallying
points, being settled, the party is now without
a standard. They have been invariably proved
10 be in the wrong, by the triumphant success
Of widely variant measures. But they are
still in the opposition. They ask for power on
any conditions. They are willing TO enter into
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