Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-01-03

pen of Hon. \. p. Richardson, of st. Joseph
county, and a candidate for the nomination
for Auditor Of State:
Danger in over Cohdence.
There is nothing more dangerous than over
confidence. Ii was that which defeated Ma
poleon at Waterloo-which crimsoned the
English and French legions in their first fruit
less attack on Sebastopol, and Redeemed our
own streams with the hest blood Of the West,
in the campaign of Harrison. IL Is that which
daily supplies our vanity with a morning
draught of Hopes delicious elixir, and almost
nightly sends us to an uneasy couch, the vic
TINS of disappointment; this we know implies
a life % mistakes, but what Is life but a success
sion Of pictures drawn by Antieipation's fairy
fingers to be scarcely appreciated before the
rough hand of Realization mars their beauty
and renders MS measurably mconsolable.-
But we do not design to moralize. We took
up our pen for a very different purpose.
We are on the eve Of a campaign lraught
with consequences more important han Is
usually apprehended. 90 the one hand, we
have men claiming to desire the ~perpetuation
of our nnrivalled confederacy, who are exert
ing every nerve, and exhausting all the arts
known to political strategy to rend that con-
lEAlEl4fA dSuiifls 4 Ut MAJ NAN NUS
abasement of all who, whether from necessity
or choice, are Gas we believe) so unfortunate as
to hold property in slaves. They insist that
upon no terms, shall one half the States com-
prising this Union, be allowed to participate
in the social benefits or political advantages
of territory purchased by common treasure,
or won by common valor.
On the other hand, we have an oryaniza-
-. .l.-, ,.nFr~1lun ,lattrnr IL naDfarnl in
! Southern Interests, that is equally illiberal
and arbitrary in its demands. We are asked
by the latter to give proof Of our love for
the Union by finding fault with, and assisting
to detroy every vestige Of Northern senti-
ment that initiates, either theoretically or
practically, against slavery rs a moral or po-
litical institution. This organization is pre-
cisely the antipode of the first, and if allow
ed to prcdominate, will be equally as effectu-
al in dismembering the confederacy. We
say nothing here of the illiberality of the re-
ligious sentiment which forms the ostensible
ground work of these adverse factions. The
real motives are an exclusive Northern pow
err ON the one hand, an exclusive Southern
dominance on the other-both fought Tor I'M
der cover of abstract ideas, with which our
government, as a political organization, has
] uOlniii8 W NO. lh0 EARNNEHf " NV
healthfll existence of these factions, if not
fatal at once, will gradually render our con-
nection so valueless as to be unworthy of
maintenance, and separation viii be a matter
of necessity.
Between these hostile troops of prejudice,
stands the Democratic party, cursed on one
side as "Dough, ~faces,'; on the other, as con-
temners of Estate Rights A party that has
maintained an existence since the year '98-
that has marked its regard for individual,
state, and national rights, on the legislative
and diplomatic map Of our country, from the
time Of j Jefferson to the present hour-that
has sustained this magnificent experiment"
of free government at home, by making all
her L,osi-abroad, by maintaining all her
rightsl-such a party, when the agents of
mischief here, or the enemies of constitution
al liberty yonder, tax their ingenuity TO in
vent inapplicable epithets to her honor
ed organization, can look back upon the til
umphs of half a century, point to the proud
position to which her principles haYe advance
ed our country, and remain impassiye amid
the arrows of detraction.
But as in the past, so IN the future, do the
institutions that be-gem our model system,
require her vigilant guardianship. With the
increasing importance of her field of opera
tons, there come additional responsibilities.
New questions, evolved from the continued
action, or we may call it the friction Of pub
lie sentiment, must be met and settled. Not
in a way TO lay the demon of Discord for a
year, or score of years, that it may burst its
cerements and come forth, to find a more suit
able hour for the i~nliction of injury, but for
all time In the recognition of Just principles
we should be influenced by no fear Of fac
ton, no desire 10 propitiate the favor Of those
whose pretended love is hat 4 decoy tolead
us from the stern duty which destiny has com
missioned us to perform. Let no victory be
desired if it DO not carry with it the doctrine
of individual sovereignty, and the sacredness
of the Union. Invest every man with the at
tributes Of an independent republic, bind to-
gether these hHmqn republics by ties Of inter-
est and social identity, and they will present a
strength that can neither be rived by diseord,
nor crushed by invasion.
Upon the coming Conventions, both State
and National, will devclye labors that should
be performed by the wisest-hcads stimula-
ted by the most patriotic hearts Of our
country. There is danger in advance. at
is vain to cry Peace" Disunion, Anarchy,
and the horrid phantom Of political Chaos
are marshaling their forces 10 destroy that
fortress of American freedom which orr
fathers hoped would be impregnable. Con-
fdence in our strength, il it induce US to neg
lect the essential preliminaries of the coming
campaign, may prccipitate the hopes Of free
dom EVERYWHERE. We should consider the
fight Of '56 as the Battle Of the Union, and
on no consideration should we be diverted
from the main issue. This is no time for the
settlement Of small matters. We should
carry into the Conventions neither the pecu-
l~iarities of sectional bias, the rigidity of pre-
conceived opinions, the fancies Of exploded
or unmaturcd theory, nor the heart burnings
ofpersonal disappointment. Let no eXtraneous
questions, either Of National or State policy,
find a place in our platforms, or in our de-
bates, and make only such a declaration Of
principles as are sanctioned by past unanimi-
ty, or such plain propositions as promise I'M
questioned perpetuation. Every thing be-
ing arranged To meet n storm, then gre Hs
good leaders. Select for the voter, whose YER
dict at the ballot-box is to tell upon the flu
ture, n ticket of which he will not be
ashamed. Do not force him to become the
apologist Of your errors. Place no name
upon it unless that name is the exponent of
Democratic truth and individual propriety.
Entrust our flag to none who can be awed by
power, purchased by corruption, or eowed by
defeat.
Recognizing thus the personal rights of
each, and protecting the political rights of
all, with leaders possessing nerve, talent, and
character, we can go forth a host that will
march over and crush out all the opposition
that can be mustered by fanatieism and trea-
son.
]
GrWe copy the following article from the
Evansville Enquirer. Mr.. Hicks is well
qualified for the position in connection with
which his name has been mentioned:
Auditor Of State.
As we announced on Saturday, our friend
Il. s. Hicks of the Rockport Democrat, has
been proposed as a candidate for Auditor Of
State. Mr.. Hicks was deputy Auditor under
Major Dunn, aud acquitted himself in the
discharge of his duty IN a manner to elicit the
admiration Of all who had business with the
office. Since he has been engaged as editor