Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-10-30
The state convention.

ton OF the war Oh our ptft4
The state Convention.
The New Albany Ledger is still carping upon
the call of the Central Committee for a Demo
cratic State Convent on. As we understand the
l. deer, it is in favor Of maintaining the organi-
cation Of the Democratic party and of a conven-
ton, and only opposes the action of the commit
tee so far as the time it has selected for holding
it. For this difference of opinion as to the most
appropriate period for holding the convention,
that print charges upon the committee and all
who favor the call the basest 4 motives. The
meaneSt and most intense Republican sheet in
the State can not rival it in that regard. The
strongest objection it urges against holding the
convention on the 9Th of January, according to
the usages of the party. is that twenty-five thou
sand Democrats are in the army and they can
not therefore be represented. Isit not altogether
probable that a still greater number will be abb
sent from the State upon the 4th of July, the
time the Ledger proposes for holding the Con-
ventiOn? If this objection to the 9Th of January
has any force, will not similar reasons exist for
assembling a convention on the 4th of JulyT The
Ledger. with all its ingenuity and demagogism,
has not advanced a valid argument against the
call Of the convention, if it desires, as it pro-
fesses to do. to maintain the organization of the
party and give vitality to the principles which it
admits are necessary for the preservation of the
Government We believe an early convention
to be both wise and polite. The conduct of the
war thus far has been characterized by a series
o! blunGers and a reckless extravaganza for the
benefit of the political favorites of the Admins
tration. The Democratic party should not by
silence have the appearance even of acquiescing
in those errors of the party in power, but other
wise it is their duty, not only to their
party but to the country to protest against
them. We have recently heard some of
the most prominent members OF the Republi-
can party in the strongest terms condemn the in
efficiency and imbecility of the Administration
in its efforts to put down the rebellion. But the
Ledger intimates that it would be reasonable for
the Democratic party to meet in convention to
denounce the miserable management of the war
thus far, and the gross corruptions of both
National and State Administrations.
1t is high time that the party in power was held
W a. oaAOt o(NOuheobhhty W w. NN
v%enality, if we expect to put down the rebellion
and restore the Union. We can see no evil to
come from holding an early convention, but on
the contrary much good. No harm has come
from maintaining the Democratic organization in
Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Democratic sue
cesses in those States have had no deleterious eff
fects except upon the Republican party. The
Democrats in the army from Pennsylvania who
voted the Democratic ticket in their camps at the
State election this month, are certainly as good
soldiers now as they were before, and will fight
as m~anfully the battles of the Union. Will the
LEDGER charge the Democrats of those States
with being "rebeI sympathizers" for voting for
party candidates and standing by their party or
ganization?
1t will in all probability be not only %appropri-
ate but highly important that there should be an
expression of the conservative sentiment of the
country upon public affairs as early as the 9Th of
January. By that time the views of the Presi-
dent, the condition of the country and the state
of the war will be officially spread before the
people. We have no doubt an attempt will be
made in Congress to change the objects of the
war from those which it declared at its last ses-
sion. By an almost unanimous vote it resolved
''that this war is not waged on their part in any
spirit of oppression, or for any purpose of con-
quest or subjugation, or purpose of Overthrowing
or interfering with the rights or established insti
tuthons of the Southern States, but to defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and
TO preserve the Union, with all the dignity, equal
ity and rights Of the several States unimpiirej;
and that az soon as these objects are accomplish
ed the war ought to cease" This policy should
be maintained by all conservative men. But it
is given out that the proclamation of Gen. FnE-
MONT and the modification thereof by the Presi-
dent will be made an issue at the next session of
Congress, and an attempt will be made to make
the former the policy of the Government. Should
not an earnest protest 60 up from the people
against any change of the objects OF the war as
declared by Congress at its last session? If the
policy of Fremont is adopted, can there be any
doubt but it would strengthen the rebellion and
widen the breach between the two seetionsy The
Ledger, with a narrowness of view which is sur
pFising. ~forgetiui Of the nature of our institu-
tions, when such mOmentOus questions are upon
the country, takes the position that At is unwise
and unpatriotic for the people to assemble to give
expression to their views upon the eth OF
january. but it may be right to do so
on the 4th of July. In a popular Govern
ment should the people blindly submit to the rule
of those who happen to be in powerY Are there
not thousands, tens Of thous inds of rien in Indi-
ana equally capable of Judging az to the true
policy of the Government as ABRAHAM LINCOLN
or any member Of his Cabinet? In every aspect
of the case We think the call for tine Con
vention right. 1t is not Il day TOO soon. The
sentiments of the conservative men of Indiana
should be known. We believe it to be IA patriotic
duty thus to speak. And we trust a full delega-
ton of the best men in every county in the State
viii be sent up to deliberately discuss the condi-
ton of public affuirs and the duty Of those who
are the representatives of the Government, and
10 SAY what they think.
The balance of Trade.
In an article discussing this topic, the New
vi I----I