Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-04
The Mass Convention.


The Mass Convention.
We best express the general conviction in sta
ting that the Mass Convention of the Goth was
the most imposing in numbers, in character and
enthusiasm, that ever assembled in Indiana. 1t
was an association of voters, of the substantial
men of the State, of taOse who have a deep in
terest in the perpetuity of the Government upon
the principles il was founded. 1t is no ordinary
crisis which assembled the Convention, and
most nobly and patrioticallys we're its SEN
timents expressed. But one spirit animated
the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to the Constitu-
ton and the Union and an earnest desire
for the maintenance of the former as it is, and the
restoration of the latter as it was. The position of
the Democracy was most triumphantly and elO-
quently INDICATED bv the resolutions OF the Con-
venton, and in the speeches of those who addressed
it. The thanks of the people are specially due to
Messrs. WIcKLIFFE, CARLILE, and RICHARDSON,
for their truly patriotic statesmanlike and elo-
quent speeches. Never was there a more ear
nest and patient assemblage. For seven hours
the immense assemblage were attentive listeners,
and it was the remark Of all who spoke. that
they never addressed a people more anxious to
hear. and who more readily appreciated the SEN
timents expressed.
The great heart of the people is right. They
Cured to the declarations of the Congress after
the battle of Bull Run that the war was prose
euted to maintain intact the integrity of the
Constitution, and the ~fanatical legislation since
that time. Had sober and discrete councils pre-
vailed, the rebellion would now have been one of
the things of the past. After the battle of Fort
DOnelsOn the radicals became rampant and urged
forward their wild and ~fanatical schemes. Had
conservative ideas prevailed. peace and all its
blessings would now prevail. One idead men
never could rule a nation, except to its ruin. He
warned the people in the..coming canvass of the
Republicans protesting conservatism. They talk
loud and long and vote wrong. He would pre-
fer, if a Republican was to be elected from any
district, he should be an out and out Abolitionist
like LovEJoY and GIDDINGs. for you know just
where to find such men. But the professed con
sentative Republican was a cheat and a fraud.
He would talk to get votes like a Union man and
he would vote all the time with the Northern dis
unionists. Such men were PORTER and DUNN,
of this State. Shun them.
They were hypocrites who would betray. He
could admire a bold man, like LOvEJOY, who
spoke out what he meant, but he could not find
it his heart to respect men who would steal the
confidence of the people to betray them.
Mr.. RICHARDSON said If this Government was
ever restored, it must be by a change in its legis-
lation, by the votes and good right arms of Dem
ocrats who would fight for the Constitution as
our fathers had made it.
Mr.. RIcHARDsoN's speech, which was a series
of home thrusts, will be published liz full in our
issue on Friday.
value, as 1t should be, the rich heritage of con-
stitutiOnal liberty bequeathed by a patriotic an
cestry, and they manifested a determination to
hand down the Institutions and the Government,
unequaled by those of any other nation, unim
paired to those who should come after ms. The
unanimous voice was that the armed rebellion
for the overthrow of the Government should be
suppressed by the only means now left, and the
no less wicked Vaccinations of the Abolition
voters for the subversion of the Constitution, by
the peaceful agency of the ballot box.
This Convention was a decided success. So
every man felt who was present. The immense
gathering was not swelled by Abolitionists or
Republicans, but it was composed of Democrats,
of truly conservative citizens, who came together
for the single purpose of saving the Government,
if possible, by restoring to power the Democratic
party, the only conservative party of the country.
This conviction is rapidly pervading the masses
of the people, and we believe that by the ides of
October it will find overwhelming expression.
The Convention of July Both, 1862. we trust.
will proyea bright epoch in the history of Indi-
ana and the history of the country, and that its
patriotic utterances will find a cordial response in
the hearts and action Of the people.