The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-12
Resolutions Adopted Arraigning the State
Central Committee for Calling the Dele
gate Convention at an Unexpected Time.
Bolt Threatened Unless the Trlckster
and Schemer Changes the Date.
Speeches Of Messrs 0ttendOrfer. COudert. Fair
child and 0thers-The Ex-President's Name
Loudly Cheered-Frisnd Bissell There.
Special TO the indianapolis journal.


together q crowd that filled Cooper Union
to overhowing. Before o'clock there was
not en- inch of space left on the platform or
in the hall. 1t was an enthusiastic crowd.
too. and every point made by the speakers
against the State committees action was
greeted with hand -clapping and shouts Of
applause. Directly behind the speakers
rostrum, lingering IN the shadows of
column. was Wilson s. Bissell. of Buffalo.
taking quiet satisfaction in the enthusi-
asm of the meeting. Others on the plat
form were L. Ellery Andrews. NJ.
Seligmsn. Joshua yanwean. Herman
Ridder, j. w. Houston. c. s. Fair
child. G. J. slcard. w. G. Milburn.
Fred Coudert. Francis NJ Scott. Dr. w. L.
Gregory. Z. j. Cobb, p. B. Olney. ID. G.
Wiley, jr.. Jacob Kinzman. Michael Nc
Quinn. Il. 4. Lyons. Peter Bush. George
Simpson. ID. Giifeather, w. r. Grace. CAL
win Tomkins. G. Leerbarg. Howard Bayne,
@. S. Bachr and Joseph Larequoin. Con-
gresham Tracy bad been announced as
one of the speakers, but business detained
him in Wsshin gton.
Promptly atso'clock Oswald Ottendorfer
pounded with his gavel on the speakers
desk and called the meeting to order.
HILLIsM ARRAIGNED BY oTTENDoRFER.
n the course of his speech Mr.. Often
dorfer said:
''In the pame of the committee of twen-
ty-fiye i call the meeting 90 order. thank
you for your promptness and alacrity IN
answering the invitation 20 protest against
the holding of a premature state coDyen-
tion, by which delegates are to be nomi-
mated 70 represent the Democracy Of the
State of New York in the national Demo-
cratic convention. to take place more than
four months hence. fou prove thereby
that you feei deeply the indignity and the
insult cast upon you by the attempt 90 be
represented in the Democratic national
committee By delegates Nominated through
maneuvers and schemes arranged IN mid
winter, without consulting or giving an
opportunity TO express the views and
wishes of the Democratic masses in relation
to matters which influence materially our
welfare and the future OF our common
country.
THE proceeding of the Democratic State
committee is as provoking as il is uncalled
for. No good reason can be given 70 OK plain
IL. and It's only explanation 10 rhat IL II well
adapted TO promote schemes of some IN
triguing politicians who have. reason TO
avoid the open Daylight, and so try and
secure snap judgment bv which they can
pretend to represent the Democracy Of the
Empire State. The influence due to the
Empire State at the Democratic national
convention can only be exercised " hen our
delegates appear as the true representa-
tives. not only of the greatness. but of the
moral power, OF our commonwealth. lt Is
not of promotion of ambition Of this or that
man. or for the retention OF this or that
clique, but of the triumph of principles. IN
the defense of which the Democracy Of the
United States has achieved their victory
during the last two years. that we enter our
protest against the appointment of dele
gates from New York by the convention TO
be held at Albany on Feb. -
Il hope that majority of the members
of the Democratic State committee have
been misled by the misrepresentation of
some schemers to call that convention.
without considering the disastrous conse-
quences which must follow their action;
but they have made fearful mistake. and
o mistake in such q matter 10 worse than q
crime. Seeing the results of their error. l
adopt measures in accordance with the re-
quIrements of fairness and justice. IL not.
they have TO take the responsibility for the
disastrous consequences that NAV follow
any longer but we will proceed TO organ
ize our meeting, and for the purpose nomi-
nate as president q gentleman who,
in more than tho usual meaning Of
am a Democrat and who, although he
may be excelled by others in the manipu-
lation of politics. 10 second TO mono IN ad-
besion and devotion to Democratic prInci-
Piles, and, therefore. enjoys in q rare degree
the esteem of our countrymen. i nominate
as president for this evening Mr. Frederick
CouderL"
CHAIRMAN CoUDERTs PROTEST.
Mr Coudert, as he rose, was greeted with
loud applause. which he gracefully ac-
knowledged. When quiet had been restored
he said. in speaking of the object of the
meeting:
lit is not 10 denounce or glorify any hu-
man being. but something more important.
1t is the assertion of the right Of which
men In authority are seeking todepriye as:
1t is the night 10 express our opinion and
manifest our will upon every subject OF
public and political concern. To cur
tail speech has been in onr catechism
the worst offense that could be
committed against liberty. The great mass
of US are loyal to the party and faithful to
its rules i. for one. do not know now
among the men who have been named as
possible candidates. n single man IN the
Democratic party whom would not pre-
fer TO vote for TO any man In the Repub-
lican ranks. The most dangerous rebellIons
are those which are based on resentment
against violations OF sound principles.
Men. good or bad. pass away. and move
ments founded upon an adherence 10. or a
distrust Of them or their methods cannot
live forever. A sound principle cannot die
1t is immortal"
Then. naming objections to the call for .
convention on the 22d inst he said:
I'm the first place. would say that every
departure from usage ana custom requires
an explanation on the part of those who
make the departure To those who are inter-
ested In the ubect. Custom Is the law.
To violate the law is a crime. The burden
is upon those whose conduct 10 questioned.
and not upon those who object. We there
fore are in the right. and may insist upon
receiving a valid explanation. With us
custom Is king. Itrules judges. and courts.
and parties. and commerce, aud We can
scarcely be deemed bold III we say, show
your warrant to violate this law. The
precedents of n quarter of n century have
esta blished a unifoTm rule. Why have you
changed itf Ii yod have good reason. pro-
duce it,
I'VE do not deny the importance of or
ganization. large amount of authority
and power must to allowed 20 those who
are intrusted with the execution of the
party's wishes. These men who are called
the leaders must hear N mind that they are
trustees and agents. not eutoerats and
principals; that they cannot substitute
their will for that of the mass of their po-
litical brethren. i am making no objec-
tions TO so-called bosses and so-called ma
chimes if bosses are merely leaders. faith
full TO their dutieA They are necessary ~