Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-09
The Hendricks Festival at shelby

weather there was an immense gathering OF the
people OF old Shelby and the adjoining counties
The enthusiasm was unbounded. and from be
ginning to end there was unmstakable evidences
presented of the popular sentiment in regard to
resolutions and the speeches upon the occasion,
strong as they were in 6enunciation OF the policy
of the Administration, we're behind the voice and
sentiment of the people. They are far in ad-
vance Of the politicians in repudiating the princi
piles, purposes and measures of the party in power
There we're not less than FIVE thousand Demo
Gratis and conservative citizens present. The
Contention met in the Court House at 10 O'Clock,
and was organized by the appointments Of W Z.
E. WANE, Esq, as President, and r. SPIcER
ESQ, as Secretary. Hon. Jason B. BRowN. the
young and talented Representative from jackson
county. was then introduced to the Convention
and he occupied its attention in an able, search
ing, and eloquent review of the policy OF the Ad-
ministration since the Inauguration of the party
in power. He received the most enthusiastic ap
plause during its delivery, notwithstanding the
charge of the Cincinnati Gazette that it was
"harangue tinged with disloyalty." The Con
vention, after the speech of Mr.. BRowN. ad-
iourned to 2 O'Clock. Upon its Resembling the
Hon. MARTIN NJ RAY, in appropriate and eo-
quent remarks, welcomed Mr.. HENDRrcKs to his
old home, and congratulated him in behalf OF
the Shelby county Democracy upon his election
to the United States Senate, which they re
garoed not only distinguished but a deserved
honor. Mr. HENDRICKs, in response, IN bold,
manly and eloquent address, reviewed the acts of
the Administration and the Republican party and
the present war policy. He advised strict obedi-
ence to the lawful authority of the Government.
both State and National, the first duty of the
citizen. As full report of this able and eloquent
adding only that it received with the most
enthusiastic applause. He was followed by W.
B. BEACH Esq, of this city, in forcible and
effective speech, which added TO his reputation as
one of the ablest public speakers in the State
The entertainment was concluded by supper
and ball gotten up by the ladies' of Shelbyville in
honor of Senator HENDRICKS and lady. The
supper was a handsome affair and the tables
were spread with the utmost profusioH. Dancing
was kept up to late hour at tine Ray House, and
at Corey's and Masonic Halls. The festivities
were enjoyed with great zest by the large number
of ladies and gentlemen present. and the hospi
tality of old Shelby was the theme of commen-
daton by the numerous guests from abroad.
The significance of the demonstration was in
the deep feeling and enthusiastic determination
expressed by the vast multitude present, com
posed not only of Democrats, but of lage mum
Der of persons who have heretofore sided with the
Republican party upon the questions of public
policy which are now absorbing the attention OF
the country This expression will be found in
the sentiment and spirit of the following resolu-
tons, which were unanimously and enthusiastic
ally adopted
sWe, the Democracy and conservative men OF
Shelby county. in mass meeting assembled, for
the purpose of instituting and making known our
principles in regard to national and State affairs.
adopt the following:
ResoIeed 1. That we recognize the Federal
Constitution as the great bond of union, operating
in its appropriate sphere upon States and indi-
viduals alike; under its bens6cent influence and
faithful observance in the administration of the
General Government, the American people, for
more than three-quarters of century, have ell.
joyed the blessings of liberty, law and order, and
advanced with unequaled rapidity in the pathway
of national greatness and ren0wn.
2 That we denOunce the assertion that slavery
was the cause OF the present troubles libe
upon the trainers OF our Constitution, and repug
nant TO the facts of our national history. We
ascrbe them to the unholy ambition and wicked
Vaccinations of disloyal and ianatcal agitators
North as we'll as South who sought for personal
| aggrandizemeHt among theruins of constitutions
and civil liberty.
3. That the Democracy are ready now, as they
have ever been, to vndicate aud sustain the honor
and integrity of our country, and defend its Con
stitutiOn and its laws, from whatever source the
assault may come Under the solemn pledges o
the President and the present Congress that hose
high and holy purposes would guide them in tine
conduct of the war, the Democracy rallied by
thousands and by tens of thousands to their coun
try's flag. and attested their patriotism in MANY
we'll fought battle.
4 That the present efforts of the President ant
his advisers to give new character and direc
ton to the war by diverting Ii into war for Tho
abolition of slavery cannot receive our moral sup
port. We denounce it as unconstitutional, tyran
nical and unjust, and if persisted in fatal tt
the liberties and fortunes of the nation.
5. That we recognize the President to be the
Commander in Chief of the army and navy o
the United States and shall offer no obstacle {,
the exercise of his Just and constitutional powers
We assert, however, that he is not Commander
in Chief of private citizens in loyal States, ant
re denounce as an act of unconstitutional ant
arbitrary power, the proclamation Of Mr.. Lincoln
srspending the writ of habeas corpus in the State
and authorizing the arrest of unoffending citzen
without any process of law, and carrying then
beyond the limits of those States and combining
them in military prisons where they are denie,
the privilege of trial by jury.
g. That uncompromisingly opposed {,
the investment by the General Government of
single dollar in the purchase of the slaves of I'll,
Southern States for the purpose avowed by tn
President of the United States.
T. That the law of Congress erecting certain
portions of Virginia into State called the Stat
of Western Virginia. is in the language Of Ed
ward Bates, Attorney General of the Unite,
States, can original. independent act OF revolu
ton. aud involves plain breach of both Tia
Constitutions of Virginia and of the Nation" 81
marked an act OF revolution is il, that unlike tn
Emancipation Proclamation. it is not sought [,
be justified by lis authors on the plea of militar
necessity.
&. That we earnestly recommend a cessation
of hostlities for such period as may be necessar.
to allow the people of the North and South Il
express, through National Convention, thei
desire for peace, and the maintenance of tn
| Union as il was, and the Constitution as il is
y. That in the name of justice right, and hu
manity, we enter here our solemn protest ant
register our unrelenting opposition TO the passag
! by Congress OF any conscnpt or drafting act
whereby the men of our country shall be take
/ from their quiet homes and the peaceful pursuit
of life, to fight IN war for the freedom of tn
negro, while Massachusetts and other New Eng