Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-21


We publish this morning. as full report OF the
proceedings of the Convention which assembled
in this city yesterday. as our space will permit.
IL was the most numerous assemblage of the
people ever held in Indiana TO take counsel to-
gether upon the condition OF the country We
have attended all the public as>emblages of the
people az the State capital for years. snd we only
repeat tie common remark OF members OF all 20
litical parties that the COM ention of yesterday
was not only the most numerous that ever as
semLled in the State, but that in character IL vas
the most imposing. The crowd il variousIy est
mattel at from fifty To seyenty-hye thousand, and
thew we're nearly all voters. The demonstration
gave cv dence that the fire Of liberty vet burned
in the hearts Of the people. II was not an as
semblage to advance party schemes. to nominate
candidates for public position. to promote the
personal interests OF men. The only object
to preserve constitutional liberty and maintain
the free Government which won by the valor
and framed BY the wisdom of a patriotic ancestry.
But il with feelings of sorrow. humiliation
and degradation that We witnessed the scenes OF
yesterday. The people not permitted To
peaceably assemble, discuss the policy and acts
of the party in power and petition for redress of
grievances. The representatives. the servants
Of the people-,be ofice-holders whose feed is
drawn from the public ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To
ovcrawe and prevent free expression of those
whom they represented. One of the principal
avenues OF the city was barricaded bv armed
sofd;erv .,d the Goverror's Circle In tho heart
Of the town, Was occupied by cavalry and In
fsntry. And why! What apology be offer
ed for such an exhibition in what has been re-
gsrded as free Governments Government
which derives its just powers from the consent of
che governeds Gf
"A few weeks ago it was semi-ofiicially an
nounced in the Journal that none Of the rights
Of the people should be invaded. General Cam
RINoroS. the military commander of Indiana. in
an address TO the people of his department,
remarked that open debate and an untrammelled
ballot box marked free people. General Has
CALL. the present commandant of this district. in
an order issued day before the assembling of
the Convention. gave assurance that its deliber-
atoms should not be interrupted. and that the
constitutional rights of the people should be re
spected Upon the assurances of these pledges,
the people assembled. in numbers such never
before convened in Indiana. to discuss quietly.
peaceaby and respectfully. the present condition
Of public affairs.
No danger whatever to be apprehended.
There was no intention thought of invading
the rights of any one. The sequel proves that
such was the case. If we had been either civil
or military officer. rather than distrust the PEG
pie. their justice. integrity aud patriotism. We
would have returned the CON mis sion which gave
position and power L, those from whence it came
Others NAV think differently but we would never
have been the instrument to subvert or overthro~
the liberties of the people
The Convention has assembled and adjourned
Its history is written. Citizens from all parts of
the State hsve had the opportunity to witness an
exercise of arbitrary power. Indiana TO .day is "a
completely under military rule France. Rus
sia or Austria There i no necessity
for such state of things A large
portion of the people are willingly bowlng their
necks receive the yoke of dcspotism But the
men who Yesterday and daily are justilsing and
applsuding the assumptions OF powerl will yet
feel the iron tread of despotism which will not
only deprive them OF personal and constitutional
liberty. but will consume their substance like
canker.
The convention and proceedings yesterday
have their lessons for all. Never before a
,lorc glorious spectacle witnessed than the vast
assemblage Of freemen called together 10 exer-
else their constitutional rights They met to
gether to peaceably petition their Representatives
for reiress of grievances. But there a
dark shadow 10 the scene. Either the exhibition
of military power Yesterday was evidence
that the liberties of the people have de
parted, or else the men and the party
which nstisaled and Justified such pro-
eeedings will become the by.wcrd and re
proach Of every good and true and patriotic citi-
zen. The issue is upon the country. anu the men
of property who have let the tiger loose may vet
feei his claws-may learn that curses. like
chickens, often come home 20 roost" The rule |
of violence has no respect for persons To-day
its vengeance nav be directed 10 one side. TO
morrow il nav turn upon is friends of YESTERDAY
There IS class Of people in this country who.
ever learning are no, by Their own judgmen, able |
to comprehend kuowleige ofthe truth Expe- |
rience may yet teach them their folly ew