The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-03-31
KNOW THYsELF.

knowledge Is power. knowledge IS not
pedantry; it is not cant sophisms, special
pleading, the play of technicallties-
of nonsensical platitudes, an array of
phrases, word traps and paragraph pits. 1t
is not demsgoguery, bluster, bombsst aud
hlapdoodle. 1t is not man-worship. 1t is
something better, nobler, grander. 1t is
knowledge. Does the Democratic party
know itself? Does it comprehend its mis-
sion? Is it familiar with its principles, its
traditions, its ACHIEVEMENTS? Does il COM
prehend that its triumphs have been secured
by its devotion to measures, not men, TO
principles, to the essentials of liberty, pro-
gress. and the divine right of the people to
govern? If the Democratic party comprehends
these questions-if it is capable of carrying
forward governmental enterprises, based
upon the eternal verities of right; il il is
capable of solving, in the future, as il has
been in the past, the problems of free gov.
ernmelt, it will cease its wranglings about
men, and devote its power and its opportu-
mites to the solution OF problems which
underlie the future greatness and
glory of the country. 1t matters
but little who shall be the nominee of the
Cincinnati convention, if he be
man whose life record demonstrates
that he is loyal to the principles with which
the Democratic party has been identified
from the first, and which have, as the years
have rolled on, conferred imperish-
able renown upon the American Re.
public. No one man is essential to
the perpetuIty of their principles, they
are above and beyond any man God ever
created. They are as imperishable as truth.
which the grand superstructure is reared.
No power can crush them. They are for
ever coming to the 'front.' forever demand
ing recognition, forever assailing the wrong.
A Judas may betray and a Plate
may order their crucifxion, but
on the day when their enemies
exslt in their downfall they are more pow
erful than ever and when subjected to the
rack of fanatical prejudice. the jibbst of
hate, the cross of humiliation, or passing
through he fires of partisan malignity, their
power is more universally displayed, and
their majesty more widely acknowledged.
SO far as men are concerned, the Democratic
party demands a standard bearer whose pub
lie record is guarantee that. bis knowledge
of Democratic principles Is thorough and
profound, and that he is so permeated with
these principles that they will influence all
of his public acts and be impressed upon
the policy he will pursue. This being I'M
derstood. the Democratic party comes be-
fore the country with its principles. The
man to represent them, when selected,
unites the party, hsrmonizes every sec-
ton and bushes every faction. To
speak we'll of distinguished Democrats
whose names have been mentioned
in connection with the Office of president
is the duty, and should be pleasure OF all
Democrats. To belittle one that another
may be extolled is impolitic. To assume that
any one man is absolutely necessary to the
triumph of Democratic principles is to place
the party IN direct conflict with its tradi-
lions. 1t Is we'll to name candidates for
president The Sentinel has its candidate
but the Sentinel does not assume that If the
distinguished citizen whose name appears
In It's Columns as cauOlOate
for president is not successful. that
Democratic principles are not to triumph.
The Sentinel takes a higher and broader
view OF the subject. It's knowledge OF the
Democratic party forbids the assaiIment of
other candidates. In guarding its own
record IT regards the record OF the party.
Ii believes that Mr.. Hendricks is, all things
considered, the most available candidate for
president. He is right in all regards. His
record requires no apologies. His character
is massive, his statesmanship broad,
his principles Democratic. II nominated
he will make standard bearer popular In all
sections, harmonizing all factions, unifying
ali elements, recognized patriot and states
men; he would, IL elected, demonstrate the
wisdom of Democratic principles, and bring
the country back to the halcyon days Of Its
grandsst prosperity. But the Democratic
| party, If Mr.. Hendricks should fail to secure
the nomination, will not dlsband, but under
some other leader will march on to victory