The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-21

The Union is at some pains TO explain in
an article reproduced elsewhere,to an inquir-
ing correspondent, its reasons for advocating
the independent convention which meets
here on the tenth of June. The Union all
ludes to the movement as one of farm
ers only. This is an error. The
farmers simply take the lead, hop
ing that all others who feel the
need of reform will tall into line and help
the work forward. 1t is a peoples move
ment in the largest sense and the working
men havejust as much right to shape the re-
suits as the farmers. By their action in the
matter, the farmers simply indicated that
they were ready to take up the battle for re-
form, and trusting in their fellow workers;
they issued an invitation to take counsel to-
gether. The 10th of June convention can
do much, even if it does not fulfill the
largest expectations of its friends. 1t can
so resolve that the partisan bodies follow
ing it will not dare put forth poor men or
doubtful resolutions. In that convention
there are to be men of all classes-not farm
ers alone, but every man who holds
political reform a necessity. The very
fact that only the extreme partisan
papers oppose the movement, is the
strongest attestation of its necessity.
The success of a popular movement of this
character would result in financial collapse
to newspapers founded by party patronage.
and maintained by political pillage and
direct robbery from state and county treas
uries. In all the discussion aroused by
the publication of the farmers call,
it will be noted that only the
extreme party papers have striven to
break the force of the Inconvenience
because it is not good thing and whole
some vent for political fOulness, but because,
the regular party channels were not selected
for its outgrowth. So far there has been no
argument made upon the merits of the
movement itself. Day after day the shall
low parroting of "bogus" is echoed and re-
echoed from the organs of the parties but
never word as to the ultimate aim of the
movement. Suppose the calls were bogus
though how anything can be bogus
which makes no claim that can be refuted is
not plain,-what has that to do with the f.
nal purpose of the revolt? It is settled be-
yond any sort OF question that a great
meeting will come to pass in this city on the |
tenth of June. No one pretends to predict |
what the meeting will do. The farmers in
discussing the matter were not settled on
the details. They conceded only |
in the opinion that meeting
for the comparison of views and the defini- |
ton of few political principles would be a
chart for the future. Evidences are pouring |
in from all quarters that the idea is impress
ing every one with favor, and that the June
meeting will be as big in numbers
as it may be benefcent in work. |
1t is good and wholesome for thought
full, earnest men 10 meet together |
en- masse from time to time. The cut and |
dried political conventions do not partake
of this character. They are generally filed |
to great extent by the nominees of packed |
seekers and political seek
ers, in the interests of ring ''pals," and as
oblivious of duty to the state at large as
the birds of the air or the beasts of the
field. The convention will do this much 7
good at least, it will stir up freash race of
men and give pureer tone to public discus
sion by getting the thinking actual Iaboring
masses together in the interests of what
ever is pure and OF good repute in public af
fairs. IfnOthing further is achieved it will |
be benefcent result, and no good man can
with consistency discourage it.
CDaoEipcr cf I;fo ;,e,.o,oo A. No.. Vo~l-