The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-03-14
RHpuR1IoANs IN REBELLION.

The SENTINEL has no disposition to I'M
Justly characterize the City Council of In
dianapolis. The men who constitute that
deliberative and ordinance-making body
would be neither worse nor better by cpl
thetic criticism. We shall refrain. there
fore. from the use of such adjectives as its
course would seem to justify, except in such
cases as relate to its action rather than to its
personnel The Legislature of the State
has recently been in session-:he highest
deliberative and law-making body known to
the Constitution. 1t was elected by ma
jority of the sovereign people Of the State.
Exercising its rights under the Constitution,
the Legislature passed q metropolitan police
bill, and, 1t became the law of the State and
must stand as such until repealed or de-
clared unconstitutional by the High Court
of Appeals. The city of indianapolis is
thriving, prosperous metropolis. 1t is
rapidly increasing in population and wealth.
II contains about 5000 people and occupies
a territory, in area, something less than a
Township. 1t is in possession of charter
under which certain things may be done,
but the document, however formidable il
may appear in the eyes of the City Council,
is not as colossal in its proportions and power
as The Constitution of the State, and
the City Council is not as august
body ss the Legislature. Notwithstanding
the force of such facts the City Council has
openly and defianily declared itself in re-
bellion to the law of the State. The lu-
dicrous phases of the rebellion in some
measure rob it of whst otherwise might be
regarded as serious, but the farcicsl alb
surdity of the movement in no wise re-
lieYes the rebels of the responsibility which
attaches to their purpose. Their revolt is
ridiculous. without being dangerous. The
insipidity of their incipient sedition brings
them before the public bearing all the
brands and ear-marks of feeble-minded
people, entitled to sympathy rather than
excoristion. True, His Honor Mayor
Grubbs can bring into the field
his police force, armed cap-s-pie
and commanded by Marshals from
the Council and Board OF Aldermen. The
Station Houses could be transformed into
forts, as also the engine houses; even the
water-plugs might ne in some way utilized
for war purposes. We think it possible that
His Honor the Mayor-we suppose he will
be Commsnder-in-Chief of the forces-might
get drum and fife, peradventure bugle,
possibly whole brass band; if so, we fail to
see any good reason why General Grubbs
AID his Captains, Majors, Colonies and Cen
erals may not inaugurate war with a fair
share of pemp and circumstance, and posi-
bly, capture the State. General Grubbs
might bring into the field his rock-pile re-
serves and his street cleaning cohorts. These
men, armed with hoes and picks, sledgeS and
orowbars, led on by plumed knights,
mounted upon gaily csprisoned mules fol-
lowed by the veterans of the force, street
cleaners and sIone-pile artists, would be a
formidable army. What could three Police
Commissioners do TO drive back such an
army of rebels? Ia due time, we shall see
Meanwhile the Mayor can play "plumed
knight" his Marshals can effervesce like so
many bottles Of ginger pop, and warm the
atmosphere with the hot breath of their in
dignation. They will finally subside. The
law will triumph. Indianapolis will be
rescued from the grasp of designing demo-
gogues and the State will triumph.