Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-25
The Convention.

We publish this morning, as full a report of the
proceedings of the Convention which assembled
in this city yesterday. as our space win permit.
1t vas the most numerous assemblage of the
people ever held in Indiana to take counsel to-
gsther upon the condition of the country. We
have attended all the public sssemblages of the
people at the State cApital Tor years. and we only
repeat the common remark of members OF all po-
litieal parties that the Convention Of yesterday
was not only the most numerous that ever as
sembled IN the State, but that in character it was
the most imposing. The crowd is ~variousIy esti-
mated at from fifty TO seyenty-6Ve thousand, and
thew were nearly all voters. The DEMONSTRATION
gave evidence that the fire of liberty yet burned
in the hearts Of the people. IL was not an as
semblage to advance party schemes. TO nominate
candidates for public position, or to promote the
personal interests of men. The only object was
to preserve constitutional liberty and maintain
the free Government which was won by the valor
and framed by the wisdom Of a patriotic ancestry.
But it was with feelings of sorrow. humiliation
and degradation that we witnessed the scenes of
yesterday. The people were not permitted to
peaceably assemble, discuss the policy and acts
of the party in power aud petition for a redress of
grievances. The representatives, the servants
of the people-the ofice-holders whose feed is
drawn from the public t-reasury-attempted to
overawe aud prevent a free expression of those
whom they represented. One of the principal
avenues of the city was barricaded by armed
soldiery, and the Governors Circle, in the heart
of the town, was occupied by cavalry and in
fantry. and whyl What apology can be offer
ed for such an exhibition in what has been re-
garded as a free Government Government
which derives it just powers from the consent of
the governedf
A few weeks ago j, was semi-offcially an
nounced in the Journal that none of the rights
of the people should be invaded. General Can
R1SGrox, the military commander of Indiana. in
an address to the people of his department.
remarked that open debate and an
ballot box marked a free people. General Has
CALL, the present commandant of this district, in
an order issued a 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 as never
before convened in Indiana, to discuss quietly,
peaceably and respectfully, the present condition
of public affairs.
No danger whatever was to be apprehended.
There vas no intention or thought of invading
the rights of any one. The sequel proves that
such was the case. If we bad been either a civil
or military officer, rather than distrust the peo
pie. their justice. integrity and patriotism, we
would have returned the commission which gave
position and power TO those from whence it came.
Others may think differently, but We would never
have been the instrument to subvert or overthroS
the liberties of the people.
The Convention has assembled and adjourned.
Its history is written. Citizens from all parts of
the State have had the opportunity to witness an
exercise Of arbitrary power. Indiana to -day is as
completely under military rule as France, Rus
STA or Austria. There is no necessity
for such a state of things. A large
portion of the people are willingly bowling their
necks to receive the yoke of despOtism. But the
men who yesterday, and daily are justifying and
appIauding the assumptions OF power will yet
feel the iron tread of a despotism which will not
only deprive them Of personal and constitutional
liberty, but will consume their substance like a
canker.
The convention and proceedings yesterday
have their lessons for all. Never before was a
more glorious spectacle witnessed than the vast
assemblage of fIeemen called together to exer-
else their constitutional rights. They met to-
gether to peacefully petition their Representatives
for a redress of grievances. But there was a
dark shadow to the scene. Either the exhibition
of military power Yesterday was an evidence
that the liberties of the people have de-
parted, or else the men and the party
which i~nstigated and justified such pro-
ceedings will become the by-word and re-
proaeh Of every good and true and patriotic citi-
zen. The issue il upon the country, and the men
of property who have let the tiger loose may yet
feel his elaws-may learn that courses, like
chickens, often come hume to roost." The rule
Of violence has no respect for persons. To-day
morrow IL may turn upon It's friends Of Yesterday.
There is a class of people IA this country who,
ever learning, are not 10y their own judgment able
to comprehend a knowledge of the truth. Expe-
rience may yet teach them their folly.