The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-02-17

New YORK, Feb. 11.-There was held to-
night in the large hall of the Cooper
Union a mass meeting of democrats TO
protest against holding the democratic
state convention for the election of dele
gates to the national convention Feb. %,
after only four weeks notice. It is this
convention which has been denominated
rs Senator Hills snap convention" and
the meeting tonight was promoted largely
by the adherents of ex-President Cleve-
and They affirm that the call for con-
vention in February was devious method
designed to suppress expressions and rep
resentation in behalf of their favorite,
md the demonstration tonight
was designed to publicly voice
their protest. Among those who
sx-Mayor Daniel F. Tiemann, Oswald
Ottendorfer, L. Ellery Anderson, Charles
J. Canda, Orlando B. Potter, ex-Mayor
William r. Grace, ex-Mayor Edward
Cooper, Everett Wheeler, William Z. Cur
lis, Eugene Kelly, ex-Justice Charles P.
DAILY, ex-Mayor Abram S. Hewitt, Henry
3. Marquand, Clifford A. Hand, Henry r.
Beekman, ex-U. S. District Attorney
Stephen A. Walker and ex-Secretary of
the treasury, Charles S. Fairchild.
Long before s o'clock, the hour set for
opening the meeting, every seat and every
available inch of standing room in the
historic hall was occupied. and many OF
those who were tardy in seeking entrance
were unable to get in. Chairs filled the
large platform, and these also were occu-
pied early. From 7:30 to s O'Clock Gil
more's band entertained the large audience
with musical selections, and then Oswald
Ottendorfer. editor and proprietor of the
New York Stats Zeiitlng, stepped forward
to the speaker stand and called the meet
ing 10 order. When the hearty applause
with which he was received had subsided
sufficiently TO permit his voice to be heard,
be said, in part:
You prove by your presence here that you
feel deeply the indignity and the insult cast
upon you by the attempt to represent the state
In the democratic national convention by dele
gates nominated through maneuvers and
schemes, arranged in mid-winter, without con-
Buting or giving an opportunity to express the
views and wishes OF the democratic masses in
relation 10 the questions which influence ma
terialy our welfare and the future of our CON-
mon country. Ii is intended TO treat you as a
mass OF Unruly children whose opinion is not
worth while TO be listened to and who have
nothing 10 do but to comply explicitly with the
command of their preceptors.
The whole proceeding of the democratic
state committee is as provoking as il is uncalled
TOR and Its only explanation is that il is well
adapted 10 promote the schemes of some in
triguing politicians who have reason to avoid
the open daylight, and TO try TO secure O snap
judgment by which they can pretend to repre-
ient the democracy of the Empire state. 1t is
not for the promotion Of the ambition Of this or
hiatt man, or for the realization of this or that
clique, but for the triumph Of the principles in
the defense of which the democracy of the
United States has achieved its victories during
the last two years that we enter our protest
against the appointment Of delegates from this
State by the convention TO be held at Albany
On Feb. %.
The members Of the democratic state COM
pittee have made fearful mistake, and q mis-
lake In such a matter is worse than a crime.
Seeing the results of their error, / hope theg
will retrieve their steps and adopt measures in
accordance with the requirements Of fairness
and justice. If not, then they have to take the
responsibility for the disastrous consequences
that may follow their unWise and inconsiderate
Iction.
President Coudert's Address
Mr. 0ttendorfer then presented Fred
erick r. Coudert as president of the meet
Ing. As the well-known lawyer advanced
to the desk he was greeted with rousing
cheers Addressing the great throng and
speaking of the object Of the meeting, Mr..
Coudert said it was not to dehouDce or
Elorify any human being, but something
moro important. He said:
It is the assertion Of the right of which men
In ~ Il L.
the right to express our opinion and manifest
our will upon every subject Of public and
political concern. To curtail speech has been
la catehism the worst otfense that could be
committed against liberty. The great
mass Of us are loyal to the party and faithful
TO Its rules. l, for one, do not know now
among the men who have been named as pos
sible candidates, single man in the demo-
cratic party whom / would not prefer to vote
for 10 any man Ia the republican ranks The
most dangerous rebellions are those where
based on resentment against violations of sound
principles. Men. good or bad, pass away and
movements founded upon an adherence to or
a distrust of them their methods cannot live
forever. A sound principle cannot die-it is
immortal.
Then. naming objections to the call for
Q convention on the 22d inst, he said:
In the first place, j would say that every de-
parture from usage and custom requires
PLANTATION on the part Of those who make the
departure 10 those who are interested in the
subject. Custom is the law. To violate the
law is a crime. The burden is upon those
whose condust is questioned and not upon
those who 0bisct We therefore are in the
right and may insist upon receiving valid
explanation. With US custom Is king. It
rules and judges courts and parties and COM
merce. and We can scarcely be deemed bold IL
We say, "show your warrant TO violate this
law" The presidents OF quarter OF