The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-10

also nominated. The name OF MI. Mltcli-
ell was withdrawn, and Mr.. Gonding received
the unanimous vote of the convention. NIL.
b. Ryan moved that committee from each
congressional district be appointed to report
permanent officers, but he afterwards with
drew it,
1t was moved that a ommittee Of
pointed to draw up resolutions. 1t was car
ried.
COMMITTEE on RESOLUTIONS.
The chairman appointed Bayless w. Hanna
chairman OF tie committee, and A. @. Shank
lin, Of Evansville. secretary. The committee
First district, ]. @. ShanlxIin; Second dis
trict, w. d. Bynum; Fourth district, John X.
Crayens: Fifth district, u. j. b. WlllittS; Sixth
district, w c. Fleming: Seventh district, A.
Seidensticker; Eighth district, b w Hanna;
Ninth district, George MeWillia1m1s; Tenth
Graham n. Fitch; Twelfth district, Eli W.
Brown Thirteenth district, D. w. Sweet
fsre6 Should be referred TO the Committee on
resolutions, without debate. The resolution
was agreed TO.
Judge GOOding's Address.
The Hon. David S. Gooding then took the
chair, and was loudly applauded, it being
with difficulty that the audience was suf-
ficiently QUILTED for Mr.. GoOding TO be heard.
As soon as quiet was restored Mr. Goodlng
made the following address, in recognition of
the honor conferred upon him OF presiding
over the convention:
GENrLEMES OF THE CoSvENTIoN-The honor
you have conferred on me in my election as
your presiding officer is no ordinary compli-
ment, and is highly appreciated, and the more
as this is no ordinary convention under extra
ordinary circumstances.
Any citizen might well feel proud of his Sc
lection to preside over so large, intelligent and
patriotic convention. solicit your aid and
counsel in an honest ana earnest effort TO DO
my duty as your president, frankly expressing
my ineXperience and dlstrust OF my par1a-
mentary knowledge.
EIGHTH OF JANUARY.
1t is very meet and highly proper that on
this Sth gay OF January, a day dear TO every
democratic heart; dag second only to the 4th
of July in the hearts and memories of patri-
teal close of the second war for North Amer
lean independence; day that revives In
every truly democratic heart the name and
valOr in war, and whose honesty and patriot
ism In peace endears his memory 10 all our
sope Of of the the United ss he
boldly and successfully resisted the encroach-
ments of mOneyed mOnopOlies on the rights OF
the people, that the people meet to comment
crate the day and 10 inspire q renewal OF pur-
pose to perpetuate our liberties. You have
often met in convention on the ever memoir
able Sth day of January, consecrated by so
many sacred memories but never before
under such circumstances as at this time.
Never before has the country been threatened
with usurpation of the presidency. Gentle
men OF the convention, you are to-day
assembled as the representatives of
more than two hundred and thirteen
thousand honest, intelligent and patriotic
democratic voters re inforced by many equal
ly honest, intelligent and patriotic voters,
who are independents and republicans, all
of whom will expect you TO speak and act on
this occasion calmly. prudently and Sely,
but with firmness and decision. and especially
that you speak with no foTlSed tongue. hey
will expect and have right to expect that
neither passion nor prejudice nor mere par
tizan zeal shall control your action on this
great occasion, fraught with such great and
vital consequences 10 our common country.
Let us remember that the eyes of the whole
country are to-day turned upon Indiana, yea
on this convention, which will speak for the
great, powerful and patriotic state of Indiana
a state formidable in war and potential in
peace: the state that broke the back bone of the
republican party and turned the tide in favor
of the democracy in the great and terrible
struggle of 1876. In that campaign Indiana
was the battle ground of The nation, and to her
honor, be it said, Indiana did her duty nobly,
and the country expects her brave sons again
10 do their duty.
the last years campaign than the gallant
union soldiers of Indiana. The republican par
ty came into power in 1860 under President
Lincoln, claiming to be the party of economy,
reform and liberty. In 1865 II was preparing TO
break with President Lincoln, because of his
attempt to check its unbridled lust for power
and plumber, and only the assassination of
that honest, kind hearted, able and patriotic
president saved him from rupture with the
patriotic, brave and constitution loving
Andrew Johnson came well nigh being sue
cessfully impeached by them because of his
policy of reconciliation, thereby preventing
the plunderers from stealing the south bodily.
II can hardly be necessary to remind the coun-
try with what utter contempt the leaders of
that party spoke OF the constitution, and how
they jeered and sneered at its every mention,
in disregarding its provisions dur
ing the administration of President johnson.
Their cir, contempt for the constitution Of the
tempt for an honest ballot-box and fair
count. In 1858, before the election, in their ma
tional platform they declared that suffrage
was a question exclusively for the several
states. In 1869. after the election, they de-
clared that suffrage was a national question.
In 1853 and 1873 they declared the 22d joint
rule in force and acted under IL in counting
the presidential vote, but now they say il Is
not in force, and never was constitutional. In
short, that party stands by no pledges, no con-
stitution and no law that stands in
the way of their success in holding
on 70 power and plumber. AS an iliustra-
apportion nent laws OF Indiana are pertinent
The democracy of Indiana, with more than
elected four and the republicans nine con-
gressmen, and the republicans have major
ity in our state legislature. No one doubts the
unfairness and unconstitutionality of that
superintendent law, and yet the republicans
having the power passed 1t.
Wherever, in other states, that party has had
the power they have enacted similar unfair
and fraudulent apporttonment laws for the
purpose of holding power against the will of
tue lhdJOflly. tut tie SAINT puTpOSe lney
have refused seats in congress and in state
legislatures to members elected by the people,
and substituted in their stead republicans who
had been defeated at the elections.
The iegis alton of that party for years past
has been directed to perpetuating the power
of the government in the hands of the minor
ity.
Its leaders seem TO have anticipated the loss
of the confidence of the people, and events
have proven their foresight. Twelve years
ago thereDub lean party carried all but four
of the states now it is in popular minority
of more than a quarter of n million of votes.
The lust of power and greed for plumber has
become so inveterate with the leaders of the
republican party that after a full, fair and
thorough canvass in 1876, when beaten about
one quarter OF a million votes and beaten in
the electoral votes, they refuse to yield to the
verdict of the people and propose TO perpetuate
themselves in power by fraud and force.
rla...at