Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-24
The Convention OF the war De-

oAONOA1, AOJDo4 "a.
The Convention Of n war De
The convention OF the so called "War Democ-
Tacy" eame Oft Thursday. Every effort and aid
had been freely volunteered By the Republican
leaders to make Il imposing in character and
numbers The railroads run half fare trains;
large colored posters announcing that Casa. and
Dickinson, aud sJosS Way BuRts, aud Others
would be present on the occasion we're circulated
over the State. and The Republican press gave
notoriety 10 the convention and urged the at
tendance OF all "loysl" men. but with all these
appliances the convention may be regarded as a
6zzle. Those who came looked as though they
we're attsading . funeral. evidently feeling an
anxiety that the corpse should be put out OF sight
as speedily as possible. Look over the names of
those who are represented to haze participated in
the proceedings of the convention. even if they
we're present, and with two or three exceptions
they have not eo-operated with the Democracy
for years, but have been in full communion and
sympathy with the Republican party. The only
advertised speaker present was Major General
JoHs A. NcCLERSASD. of Illinois. and he owes
ell the public bonors ne has received 10 the very
party which, migrate like, be now denounces.
The streets Of Indianapolis were not barricaded
yesterday with large and mall guns; cavalry and
infantry and artillery were not posted within a
stones ;hrow Of the place of meeting, and even
the liquor saloons were not closed "by authority"
The contrast in these regards between the meet
Ing yesterday and the Democratic Mass Conven.
ton of the 10Th of May last was very notice
able Free speech was per mitted TO the "War
Democracy" because it was known to be a Re-
publican adjunct. Il penny whistle affair to play
such tunes. and feeble notes they we're. as might
be set By Republican instructors.
We 40 not disparage the character or size Of
the convention on partisan grounds. There were
two or three thousand strangers 10 the city. but
they we're mostly Republicans. There were a
few Democrats present attracted by curiosity, or
else totake advantage of the low railroad fare 10
visit the city for business purposes. And most
Of the Republicans We conversed with gave the
latter excuse as thereason for their presence here.
although large number we're for the time being
firm War Democrats"
The meeting will have no political significance
whatever. The men who engineered the affair
are and have been for years hostile to the Demo-
cratic party. The Democracy have had nothing to
expect from them but bitter opposition. and they
have had it in every way since the Presidential
election Of 1860. We regard the convention As
a mere piece of political kuckstering to Sc
cure for the managers of the affair prominence
and thus force political preferment from the
Republican organization. That is about all
there is in this movement OF the War Demoe
rsey." As = party organization IL has 10 nu
merical strength. It cannot have any. The
people can see no difference between il ard the
Republican organization. and hence they will
not leave the large for the little party. land little
it isin every respect when nothing is 10 DO
gained by it. a change of name will not make
scbsngo Of principles or purposes Regarding
II in this light. and so it must be regarded. the
convention was a miserable farce. In the pres.
ent condition of public affairs. and we see moth.
ing in the future to change IL before another
Presidential election, there will be but two politi-
cal organizations, and they will be divided as
they now are--Democratic and Republican. The
people will feel before another year rolls around
the uecess ty of a change Of administrator to
save the nation FROM utter ruin financially. and
10 preserve onr free institutions. General
CAss has been n War Democrat" but he
feels there Is no hope for the preservation
of the Government, and he means the Govern
ment and institutions founded nv the fathers OF
TIE republic. but ia the return OF the old Demo.
cratic party to power, and in that revolution Of
public sentiment. which is sure TO come if the
old Government Is saved. the sc-cslled "War
Democracy" will be even more insignificant than
ever.
Bot a few broken down politicians assume to
be the WAR Democracy" Of Indiana. They
DOM 20 TO war. however The best way for
the War Democracy" to illustrate the sincerity
Of their professions will be to fill up the army BY
shouldering the musket and follow the gallant
General KrssALL to the field. But they are rot
such War Democrats"-the do not mean that
kind Of %War Democracy" They prefer to
snuff the battle from ~far, They are only polit
ical War Democrats" and If they should happen
10 be drafted fhey will all find $500 10 purchase
the privilege Of staying at home. it they can't
get on; Of the draft in any other way. The re
bellion would never be suppressed il The country
bad 10 rely upon such War Democracy" to fight
its battles. or even if it had to rely upon political
Generals 20 lead It's armies.