The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-11-21
rHg INDIANA STATE SENTINEL WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 81

In it encouraging and healthy indications that
augment our confidence in the people, and which
give as grounds 10 hope that the future course OF
the Republican party may be such as will. at least
for time, save 1t the necessity of receiving
still other and more pointed rebukes-
The country is always better off with
a powerful minority in Congress than when the
majority is overwhelming. The arrogance and
tyranny OF large majorties is proverbial. We
would rather see the Democratic minority in Con-
gress increased than diminished. Its influence
will be salutary. So if there are any persons who
think 1t necessary TO furnish handkerchiefs with
which to wipe our eyes over the late Democratic
victories, they may save themselves that expense.
We don't whine and SWIVEL over events that are
pregnant with more good than evil 1t needed a
storm such as we have just witnessed in order TO
beat sense into the minds of some of our Republican
leaders. Some of them even now fail to compre-
bend the cause of the political lightning which has
just struck the States OF Ohio and Indiana. The
Indiana Journal thinks the failure of President
Grant to disclaim all ideas of third term has had
a damaging influence on the party. We don't be-
lieye any such thing. The country is not green
enough to borrow any trouble about so improba-
bic On event No one is scared about thu third
term except Watterson, OF the Courier Journal,
and he has no fears OF it only when he gets his
sherry and champagne badly mixed. No.
the third term is not what's "the matter"
There is something deeper and more tangi-
BILE than that, something infinitely more
dangerous. The temperance question has
undoubtedly had much to do with the choice
of Representatives to State Legislatures and
County officers, but beyond this there existed
another cause. not only helping to produce the
some effect but operating to defeat Republican
candidates for Congress. This cause is the grow
ing impression among the masses that the Govern
ment is steadily drifting towards centralism. 1t
is no difficult task to enumerate many circum-
stances which have occurred within the last two
three years which have aroused the apprehensions
of al thinking men that the authority
of State Governments is being grad
ually impaired, while that OF the
General Government is correspondingly aug
menied. Solemn protests against this absorbing
policy of the general Government have been
uttered by the thoughtful men of the party. but in
vain. At last came the civil rights BILL the bold
est measure of centralism yet announced. Could
it be reasonably expected that patriotic men would
yield their convictions of duty, aud acquesce any
farther in policy which they believed to be de-
structive of the fundamental principles of Repub-
lican Government? IL the leaders of the party
believed this would be DONE then they were terri
bly, mistaken, for the people are undoubtedly
determined TO maintain the legitimate and proper
authority Of the several States, and the right to
control local or home affairs at all hazards
whether the Republican party goes up down.
1t will be we'll for all to bear this in mind. The
Republican party may regain the confidence of
the country by abandoning its extreme measures.
and becoming practical and conservative 1t is
not too late to regain its lost position II it will go
early and honestly about il. 1t must correct its
errors, and show itself worthy the confidence of
the people and then it will witness a return OF
those who have been driven by the purest OF mo-
tiyes from the party in order to reforms or
rather to prevent evils which were threatened
Either in or out OF the party must these evils be
corrected Let Congress determine, and imme-
distely too, what the future OF the Republican
p rty is to be. In the hands OF Congress is its
destiny. If wise counsels prevails all will be WELL
which we witnessed last week with increased Sc
verify.
We shall at an early day reproduce the
other article to which Judge Mason refers
The Democratic idea has been without
change or departure, that the States have
certain Constitutional rights that can not be
abolished without destroying our system of
Government The Republican party is the
centralizing party, the party strikes at the
Constitution, and therefore at the rights of
the States and of the people. Such party
is dangerous and can not too soon be exiled
from power. The indications now are that
it must go.