Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-27
rae RePnbiicsn state Mas. Conven-

- II. II III ID. q.
rae Republican state Mas. Couyen-
#E - stA zion.
The grand affair, which. in Republican estma
ton. Sas 70 turn the world up side down. came
OH yesterday according to programme Every
effort bad been made BY Republican officials and
Republican leaders, to attraet large crowd
The railroads carried passengers at half fare or
les. and free tickets we're given to those who
were unwilling Otherwise to attend Word was
sent 70 hsparty sdheses,s throughoa, the State
that grand demonstration was necessary for it,
moral effect upon the sinking fortunes OF
Republcanism. and that il was the last hope
Of eslranizing IL. almost lifeless BODY Never
before was there more jealous effort
made to get up demonstration to order. In
= numbers the convention was respectable. There
may have been from twelve to fifteen thousand
strangers in attendance. Most of the founderies
and manufacturing establishments in this city
were closed. which helped 10 swell the crowd.
OF the strangers present at least one third were
Democrats attracted by curiosity to witness the
ceremonies. And usual upon such occasions
the railroads do their shopping and trading IL
3 wasnot 80 imposing a demonstration, either in
numbers, earnestpess or character az the Demo
cratic Convention of the Goth of July last.
There was an unusual pageant connected with
the convention Of yesterday, which must have
impressed every observer of passing events. 1t
was professedy meeting of citizens in their
civil capacity. called together to take
into consideration public affairs The
ceremonies Of the day were opened by grand
display of artillery and cavalry, and the booming
OF Government cannon at The expense of the Gov
erumeat. was Of the main features of the oc
eason and helped to give il ecIat. IL Democrats
had employs such under similar cir
cumstances. deep and lopd would have Republi-
can indignation howled thereat In the better
days of the Republic il tie effort OF all parties
~ subordinate he military TO civil authority but
under the new order OF affairs change has taken
place and the sword and epaulets are now the
ruling power. The liberties Of the people and
popular institutions cannot long survive under
military rule unless all the experience of the past
in the decline and fall OF republican governments
are at fanIt
But what are the objects of this expression of
popular sentiment. or the gathering of such an
assemblage of the people at the present period?
Was il to encourage the soldiers in the fieldl
IL Sol mere words. high sounding resolutions
amount to little. If they need better clothing
food. and shelter; if the sick and wounded need
better care; If their families require relief from
restitution, the rhetoric and charity of mass con-
ventions Is like the sounding brass and the tink-
ling cymbal.
Was it to give material aid in the suppression
OF the rebeong What did the convention do
in that regard? OF the thousands of highly pa
triotlc Republicans and Aboltionsts present,
breathing threatenings and slaughter against
traitors and reoels, did one volunteer. did one en-
list. to swell the armies of the Union? Not one
Such is the extent of their patriotism. The radi-
cal Republicans promised that if the President
would issue proclamation emancipating "Amer-
leans of African descent" nine hundred thousand
men would at once spring to arms Near
two months have passed by since that pa
per edict was given TO the nation, but
where the first one who has shoudered
his musket in response? If the rebellion is ever
suppressed it will not be by the voluntary aid OF
the men who assume 70 themselves all the loyalty
and patriotism of the country
Was it to intimidate the Legislature in the dis
charge of the trust conided to the representatives
of the peoplsY Ii such was or the motive in
assembling the convention it will prove signal
failure. The Republicans claim that ABRAHAM
LINCOLN, although elected President by minority
vote of nearly a million. was constitutionallv
elected. and should therefore be respected and
sustained as the constitutional head of the nation
If this argument holds good "a far as Mr.. LIN
coin is concerned. it will apply with greater force
to the majority in the present Legislature. They
were elected by and represent majority of the
people of Indiana and it is right and Just that the
popular will should find expression through the
elected representatives. Ii the minority are iust
fed and protected in defeating the will OF the
minority, il is the end of popular government
Governor ANDREW JOHNSON. of Tennessee. was
the big gun OF the Convention. He spoke some
three and a half hours. The substance and spirit
of his speech viii be found reported in to DAYS
paper. 1t did not come up TO the expectation of
the radicals present and excited but little enthu
sIasm. The speeches of MATHEW X. HUI and
ca sRLEs W. CArRGARr and n.ea of that class
were better received and more enthusiastically
appiauded. Democratic sentiments found no
favor with the radicals
The Convention will be heralded ard trum
Peted abroad through the. Republican press as
tremendous gathering Of the people and as the
expression of the prevailing sentiment in Indiana
This will be the effort But such is not the fact 1t
Is not the voice of the larger portion of the people
The convention will make no impression on the
public mind in this State 1t will not change
single vote from the conservative party, and its
only effect will be to make more firm, more de
eded and more deter mined. the opposition to the
present policy and measures of the party in power
The popular sentiment in that regard Is far ahead
that of politicians and public men-the party
leaders-and if they do not give it expression,
ere long the voice of the people will be heard
and feh through other channels, in shaping the
future destiny of the nation. He who cannot see
this fails TO read Alright the signs of the times
he convention from which such great things
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