The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-07-25
MIR. CoNN,s nECILNATInN.


MIR. CONN's DECLINATION.
Mr. Conn certainly has the right to
decline to be a candidate for congress
if he so desires, but as a man who has
accepted office from the democratic par
ty ne has no right to decline renomina-
ton on the grounds on which he says he
declines. Certainly no principle he claims
to advocate is inconsistent with demo-
cratic doctrine, and though some of his
ideas have not been adopted by the party
there is nothing to prevent the party
from adopting any of them if it shall
see fit to do so after proper considera-
ton. 1t would therefore seem much
more sensible for Mr. Conn to remain
with his party and make his fight for
the few principles re advocates which
the party does not now advocate than
to throw away his opportunities and
weaken the probabilities Of success of
most of his principles by leaving the
only party through which they can be
attained. Let US look at his principles
in detail. He says:
l am unalterably opposed to the fur
Their extension of corporate power, either
by tariff legislation or through the or
binary process of direct laws, and favor
any reasonable method Of destroying
trust. railroad or other oppressive COM
bines.
That is democratic doctrine The only
break from it has been by the senate,
and the senate's action has been round
ly denounced by the democratic press
and by democratic conventions every
where. There is not the slightest reason
to doubt that the democratic party will
stand firmly for that principle
l favor q new monetary system that
shall have both gold and silver as its
basic value, and that shall put an end
to opportunity for specializing in gold
reserves.
That is democratic doctrine. The only
controversy is as to how bimetallism
may be attained The leading bimetal-
lists Of the country believe that Presi-
dent Cleveland is on the right track. 1t
is at least fair to give his policy a trial
after the disastrous failure of fifteen
years of silverite and gold-bug legisla-
ton.
L am opposed to the use of federal
soldiers to subdue labor strikes until ev-
cry means for peaceful settlement shall
have been exhausted. and only then
after the local authorities have demand
ed federal interference.
Every democrat will indorse that.
Neither the federal government nor the
local governments have any right to use
troops Ito subdue labor strikes under
any circumstances, and none have been
used. But it is legitimate to use troops
to enforce the orders of courts and to
suppress rioting and destruction of prop
erty. And United States troops may be
sent anywhere to enforce the authority
of United States courts. The civil war
settled that question, and it will remain
settled for all time to come.
I believe in religious, political and So
cial liberty. in unrestricted individual
rights and in the supremacy of state and
local governments.
Every democrat believes that. except,
of course, as to the powers delegated to
the United States, and Mr.. Conn certain
~ makes that exception or he would not
be in congress helping to make laws
which states can not make, and as to
He also expressly recognizes it in his
final statements as follows:
1 favor the election of United States
senators by popular vote, the referring
of all important changes in public policy
to the people and the prohibition now
and henceforth of congressional legisla-
ton on such measures as are not clearly
defined by the federal constitution.
This is essentially democratic doctrine.
except as to the referendum principle.
and that is something as to which every
democrat is free to believe as he likes.
The popular election of senators is GER
tain to be declared democratic doctrine
in the next democratic national conven-
ton. 1t is already a declared doctrine
of the democrats of Indiana and of sew
eral other states. In conclusion Mr..
Conn says:
1t is my deliberate judgment that the
perpetuity and prosperity of this govern
ment depends upon a strict adherence to
the principles involved in the above dec
laration, and acting under that judg-
ment / cannot consistently accept nomi-
nation without being permitted to make
the campaign in accordance with my
convictions.
This is the deliberate judgment of The
Sentinel also. excepting only the referen-