Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 26, Number 21, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 1877 — Page 11

sarr :p:p l e m eit t

kMd, but he may have gone out there an a hort of moral rhlebotomist, ßrst, pcrnaj, to aeplete, and then by uomo hiruermic art re-establish the lm-pöeri-hed blood of a whole race ,fpnati rVmnle antuayK. (Laughter ana -tuer. Wno can m-asure the length. nd breadth, and depth, and height of. Morton's stood shepherd nibioo. out tn the thine-e purlieus of the metvopoii;. of CaJiiornia? ,L-ui-.:hter renewed.) K4, Mr. Chairman. I have an abldhn? faith In the sobf r swonil thought of the Aiuerh-an rjple In a matter vt liicl involves the ilurakd of thir institutions and the perpetuity of tlifirinvilviduHllib.Tti.-f. This I say of ihe Krt-at ma. of mv fvllow countrymen, without reference to their past or prwrnl political allegiance. There Lave always been men prominent In the raAnageinciit of political ort;H ulzMtlonti, wio. without character, li.-art. ronvciince or any dfivnt Ketise of responsl i lty,hae cared lor nothing bevond their own seirlMi ends. There are u few such restless, remorseless spirit. now tn the Hfitate of the Cntt.d tnt.s, who. In open deüaneeof law and Justice, are ready to goto anv Icnethof usurpation rather than stive up" the lense of power they have ahiixcd to k point, a distressed, impoverished and exasperated 'ole will endure no longer I d not believe there are many r..-h. perhap not more than half a score, nv- will soon a'l be exiled from

the hiuU station they have so worthily filled, by the trtei-n uneuiet and nf TM.i.nliir condemnation. ifr better men. of more enl.utred rntriotic and ltovernnieiUW.il vet, ix- inure iimiiiniu, that the consecration of our country with ihe baptism of fle and bloc J on so many fields of heroic Hueritlce will be -fully Jnstiti-d in the enl 'Tli. n all the nations of the earth will k-ar'n as JeficTsou tat'.irht, that a republic established .bv the people and for tlie people, animated bv love of universal justice and hatred of usurpation everywhere, may live on and on, while monarchies and empires shall rise and fall and pass away. Cheers. Tlie committee have instructed me to report the following declaration for your consideration . - Declaration of Principle. l the conclusion of Mr. Hanna' remarks, which wen vociferously applauded, M r. V. W. Woollfn read the fo'lowinz resolutions, which had be n draughted by tlie committee and were adopted by the convention. THK RESOLUTIONS. We th.e cons rvative people of Indiana, assembW in a state delegate convention, do declare: - , , l hat while a convention of the ) orle for deliberation touching the result of an election lon- efter it has been held and the votes counted is unusual, yet the ementercy which calls us together is unusual. The fact can not be denied that a formidable conspiracy exists to falsify tlie vote of the people and impose u-miu them a president ana vice president w'honi thev have not chosen. The my.ln objects for Wi.icli we strucjfled In the political contest of WH were: The restoration of srood roerimi. nt in the southern slates: a purer civil service, and the enforoemouL ofJ economy in au me uepariuieni oi the government. We were successful at the noils. Nearly a quarter of a million majority of the. vote of tlie people was conrehMtilv east in favor ot the r.-jorm for which we contended and for the candid t-s representing those reforms. This large majority of tlie popular vote remains in our favor, vt n if the work of the returnii:u boarJs of Florida and I-ouLsiaiiii Is permitted to stand. If the votes of the electors fairly appo nt-U by the people of either ol these states shall be counted, luden and Hendricks will have a majority in the electoral coUeee. Miall they be socounted? It is known that in each of these states tlie malorltr of the votes actually cat were in fa or of candidates for electors pledged to vote for Tilden and Hendricks, and thaUupon the face of the returns these electoral candidate! were chosen In the state of Florida the highest judicial tribunal h .s virtually decided in a legal con tent directed against the returning board of that state on the Question of counting the vote for governor, that uai-i state h id kivhi a iodular aud legal majority In favor of the demo cratic electors, and ret said returning board declared the vote In favor of the republican electors, ami it is proposed to so count it. In Louisiana that majority was so large as to del v concealment or dciitai, but under the fraudulent manipulations of a returning board, which long ao rendered itself iufamnus, that nnjority has bevn reversed. Hiall that reversal stand? Khali the decisions of the returning board be tHronger than the judg ment ot the American peopie-7 Iu the interest of Justice and republican govt-rniiu nt, we protect against the- acceptance of t ho .notoriously en lse judgment of that returning boant as conclusive evideuce of tlie elective will of the people of Imisiiina. It Is true in the highest attairs of government as in the common transactions of private lite, that fraud vitiates every result iut which It enter. If the people are sovereign, nopowercan reverse their choicest nd no mere technicality can restrain ther sovereignty. W'e denounce the a-ssumption of power to reject the votes of whole precincts or districts on the ground of alleged intimidation of voters as arbitrary, unrepubltcan and revolutionary. It if the duty of a Just and eflicient government to prevent the lntlre idation ot Its voters and to restrain and punish all lawless persons who would molest these voters or interfere with the freedom of elections. But the offenders only should be punished, and those whoite riehts have been disturbed should not sutler disfranchisement for the act of such offenders. We hold that no just iower reside in a free government to disfranchise a whole community because it may contain fome lawless men, w hose lawlessness It is the duty of that government to restrain. The returning board of Louisiana claims to be Invested with this dangerous and despotic power a power which any absolute despot might envy and that its exerclso of that power is tinai and conclusive. We denounce uch an assumption of power by any dejmrtmeut or institution of government as unjust and tyrannical. This returning board, which assumes to hold the sovereign power of the state of Louisiana in tlie hollow of it hand; this board, which has repeatedly falsiüed the vote ot lhat state and now proposes to subjuurnte the federal government to lt.s despotic will, is unrenublican in it structure and in Its purposes. It is neif'-per-petiüUlng, bavins power to fill vacancies iu ,ln i; own nnmbem. Its duration has no prescribed limit. It Is above the reach of law, for it can count in ltnowii law makers. Computed aa it is of men who have committed the hiuliit crlim-s against re pub iean government, It can perpetuatio it-t despotism at pleasure. It In wanting in no bud feature of heredetury despotism. I'nder the constitution of the United Sfntes, which gnrantet to fach state a republican government, such an institution has no claim to recognition. It could not rightfully exist even for the exercise of a legitimate public function. It has arbitrarily reject d many thousands of the vote cat by the citizens of Louisiana which had been duly certified by the proper returning officers. This act ehanaed the uovernment of that state, and was Intended to change the administration of the federal government. To hold that certificates by such a board, of a result thus produced, is cone usive evidence of the will of the people of Louisiana, w ould be a mockery and an outrag-i upon the rieht of the iHople. A false Kovernment set upon nuch technicality would command no re pect and would deserve none. If a returning board thus constituted and clothed with mich dang.-r.ms pow.-rs could under any circumstances be a lcuitlmivte institution, still this returning boardf waa not such, for It wan not organized as the law of Its existence required. Tliat law r.Kiulres ttiat it should be comjxxti'd of Ave members, and that nil poUtlcnl parties nhould bo represented In Its membership. Tbe were esfw-ntiol featuren In ltMstandiug existence, and whlfo -itlier vtw lacking it waa incompetent to perform the functions of a returning bonl. It was lucking In both these features, as It was composed of but four member, and they wero all members of the republican party. 1m proceedings were fraudulent, and consequently Its decisions and Jtretended tindings were void. In disregard of us t ice and right ami hw-rcturns were opened, papers attached, and sealed again; In other caeM returns were not obtained ntvsn a pretext; psrluhe and parts of parishes were thrown from the count without l-gal right or Justification, and always ho &a to weaken the democratic vote, and never to diminish the republican rote. Is it expected that more than four millions of voters will contentedly acqulese In being de- . prlved of the fruits of the contest throngh which we have pAnsed ; frulut which tliev prize because they are the reforms that will bring them and their children blesslngss, by a political machine uuknown In all previous U Utory of the ecmntry aad Incapable of bar

humanitarian Ktatcsinarisnip, w m place-. Mav we not believe, sir, without to touch as a shadow on our faith, that tin ex-

..iiwl l.lir rnrivw.-sf:f thP C SOI til

monlous action with the other republican machinery of a state: whoao orijaniaiiou U

h cailv tlelectlve ana lnvaua, ana snow; mo tion is fradulent.and null and void? Kntertaiiitng these views, we resolve: That it is the iuioerative dutr of conerens to provide bv law a plan lor counting the electoral vote, whfli bv Its reasonableness and jus tice will commend itstlf to the judgment of the lieopleund coninmnil their aeijuiesence in tne remit of the count, and that this should be done at the earliest day consistent w ith duo deliberation, to the end that the disquiet which now pervivles luu pc-opiu nuiy uv allayed. . .. That. nev.rd nff to the t.:un meaning i tne constitution, and according toall past iolitical Ushb, the power of coutl.ng tu vote resiaea in tlie two houses of congress. That we denounce ti.e proposition mat tne resident of the senate has the power, not only to otien, but to count the Vote, an in novation WHICH tne seimuieui vi uic -ijpiT will not tolerate. If such power s nan oe as sumed, an.l its e.xerci-v uttempted.we can Un the two houses of congress to take prompt and effectual rncmiiren for the 8s-r-tion of their constitutional prerogative iu that rvf-'ar 1. ... .... Thai if congress shall provide ny law a just plan for counting tlie electoral vole, one which will be fair not only in the present nerg"ncy, but for all luture el"Ctions as wen, . 1 I ,1.. W......I, we pledge our acquiescence iu mJ lemi, whatever it may be. Tliat If the senate snail ciaim uini us prsiding oilier, like the returning uoarus 01 Florida oud Louisiana, lias me huuiui i-i to designate tne president and vice pr-siueni. we call upon the house, ot represemau es iu exert all its co:i-UituUo:ial p jwcts to ueteai tlie usurpation, and we pledge it our suppoti it h all the resources which a people whose fundamental liberties aro threatened can constitutionally command. YoortieeV Triumph. The Hon. D. W. Voorbees was then Intro duced, and no man has had such a reception before an Indiana nuuietic ior tin pasi vears as was acconled to Mr. Voorbees. Tlie following is a very complete report of his address: .... 1 have traveled from arar ror the purpose ot meeting with vou to-day. I have tx-.-u repaid in moie wavs than one formy rrouble. I shall hay but a i'ew words. The ttlng sun and waiting trains admonish meto be brief. It has Urn a jireat pleasure to listen to the exhaustive addresses of the Jtenllemeu who have ppoken before rue. They have gleaned the field and left but little for me to say. We are enterin upon eveuts that are soon to transpire beyond which, and tho results of which, no ej-o here can ion-see. All that I can exhort you to do is to be found In the iine of dutv, wherever the voice of duty cills non you to so act. I have no fears about where Indiana will be found. You have stood for the right, and there you w ill continue to stand.- The issu-s are not yet quite fuliv- made. There are committees of both houses of congress at work in the south investigating and endeavoring to find out the exact fact regarding the real stateof affairs in those states. This cry of lnthnidat ion is false, false for the reasons already Mated by Mr. Julian, who preceded me. Tlie constitution corners the rower upon the legislature of the state when in session, and upon its governor when not in session, to caM uyon the f.-d ral government for troops when, ever outrages occur not in the power of its state authority to suppress. When did you ever hoar the governor of Louisiana Ray that such a condition of aflat ra exist.-d in that state? No appeal for troops was made until it became necessary to lay the foundations for anaudaciouseonsplracj to rob the American peoole ol their rights. Then it was that these outrages were heard of. This is not a question whether Tilden shall be president, or Hayes, but it is whether the rights of mnjority or minority shall be recog ni.cdand maintained. The president of the senate ueyer did, as president f t ha senate, count tlie votes. At the first election in KX the president of the senate was chosen lor the purpose of opening, and then not by virtue of the constitution, but as being an officer chosen bv the senate to count the vote. From thnt tinie to the present the two houses of congress have been continually devising a method, for the time b ing, by which the votes of the people shall be counted. At this time there is a Joint committee, representing the senate and the bouse, Ixith enc'.eavoring to find a method, a Just and proper one let us hope, bv which the votes of tlie people will tie rightfully counted. It Lsuot right for us to assume that this committee will not do its duty. It ns hope that, as in preceding events like these, the committee will find tt road of safety and justice for tlie people by which to record their will aud jower. If this committee does not do so, we shall be closer to tlie final discussion of the great question than we are to-day. We will then know better what to say and do than we do at the present hour. At the proper time we will hear the voice of our leader, and as he rinds his path of duty before him. so we will most likely find ours, and as he leads in the discharge of his tcrcat duties, Indiana will follow him. In the meantime it is right that every method should b adopted by which concert of action and harmony of opinion should prevail, not only In the state of Indiana, but every state in tlie union. I am asked by citizens of other states. What will Indianado? and I answer, she w ill stand by the right. In closing my remarks lean not do better than by offering the following resolutions, which I trust will be adopted : VOORHEEit'S RESOIXTIOV. Resolved, That' a committee of five be appointed by the president of this convention, to be known as a committee of correspond ence and public safety. Tlie duties of aid committee shajl be to correspond with other similar committees and the leadlne men of other states for the purpose of bringing about a narmony oi opinion ana concert of action In the present perilous crisis of our national affairs: also, to consider the propriety ol calling a national convention of the democratic parti1, ana to correspond with the different states In regard thereto. It shall alo In; the duty of said committee to consider and devise the best method by which the people may exercise the riuht of petition to tlie eonsrress ol tne united Ntate-. whether in writinir or in person, in order that the public peace may oe preserved, popular liberty main talned and the laws upheld. THE COMMtTTEK OF PUBLIC SA FET Y. The chairman appointed the following as the committee: tineral M. D. iianson chairman, the Hon David Turple, taneral John Ijovo, tne uon. i. r. riu-h. the lion. li. w llanna. The chairman then announced the convention adjourned, and the crowd diS' persed, well satisfied with the proceedings. Congratulatory Dipnff-hCM. During the session ot the convention the chairman received the following eongratuhv tory dispatches,to which appropriate answers were sent: OHIO. CoLrMrtra, Jan. 8, To Oeneral M D. Manson, Democratic Mate convention: Your dispatch rcnelved and read to tho con vention amidst unbounded enthusiasm. Ohio will stand by Indiana In her demand for the inauguration of Tilden and Hendricks, the people's choice at the recent election for pres ident and vice president oi me L intel .ates. John u. Thompson, Chairman Committee. Colum ncs, o , Jan K. General M. D. Manson, Chairman Dtmoeratlc Mate convention: The Ohio convention passed utrong but tem perate repoiutions. ine convention recom mends national convention at Washington on i lie uui oi r CDruary. John O. Thompson. ILLINOIS. Fi'RiNuriELD, Jan. 8. To Oeneral Manson, Chairman Convention: lour aispatcti is receive-'. Illinois re-fu-ns your greeting. Tlie largest convention ever assembled in this state demands an honet count and the lnaguuratiou of the people s choice. J F. FAKNHwoimr, Temporary Chairman Appointment tty Ntate Central Com. inltiff, The democratic state central committee met last evening ana appointed Austin II. lirown of this city, to succ ed Thomas Howling, deceased, as the member of the national com mit tee from Indiana. The Democrat. Washington, Jan. K, 1877. Tlie democrat Uj convention wiuneiu at rord's opera house to day. The bulldlni? was crowd., and the proeee. Imp la-ted until a late hour thlxevenlng Kk-harvl II. Merrick prodded over the meet. in. Speeches were made by Mr. Merrick, the lion. Henry Watterson. of Louisville, and Mr. Joseph Pulitzer, of Hi. Louis. The speeches were well tuned aud to the point.

INAUGURATION DAY:

Indiana's New Governor Formally Inducted Into Office In tho Presence of an Immense Assemblage of Iiis Fellow Citizens. Inaugural Address of the Governor, and a Speech by Lieutenant Governor Gray. Reception of Governor Wüliams and Ball at the Occidental Hotel. At 11 o'clock the house and senate adjourn -d, to go Into joiut convention for tlie inauguration cerf monies. They formed In front of the suite house, marched east on Washington utreet to Illinois, and thence nortli to the Aeademy of Music. Governor HendrlcM and (Joveruor Williams, and lieutenant Governor? Sexton and Gray headed the procession, followed by tbe New Albany silver b ind. The streets were tilted with a swaying mass of humanity, and it was only with elbowing that the procession wns enab ed to t;et along. When the Academy of Music was readied, uu immense crowd wa-s KatUeredln front of It, while the approaches and entrance was jammed, ho that it wns next to Impossible l'.r any one to make his way up the Ptaii-s. The auditorium was also crowded, marly every seat l-lng occupied, and the attempt to admit none but those who had tickets wa futile as the pushing from the rear was tto Kreut that nothiug but it Holid wall would have stopped them. Many ladies were also seateu about the house and on the htstte; already over luO members of the teneral assembly and other prominent persons had been given place. Thu audience arose when the Kvv. Warren l anaolph de livered a prayer, thanking God for the many mani.ofet benefits. General Manson had tocail upon those In tlie par juette to leave, In ord-r that those who had been provide. I with tieketa muht secure seats. Atter the labor ot hail an hour his etioits were crowned with nuccees, aud ne was enauiea to look. Into the parquette and se the mvitetl cuests provuied for. Tlie Mount Carmel baud, which had taken up quarters in the rear of the ttlage, furniehed music to soot tie tne nerves oi tuu excueu nnu expectant crowd. THE SEW GOVERNOR APPEARS. At lli0 Gevernor-elect Williams, accompa nied by the Hon. Isaac 1. Gray, lieutenant ovemori'l'-t. and Governor Hendricks and Lieutenant Governor isc ton, came ujoii the Mnge. and was received witti u carry cneers. tiovmor Williams proceeded to dived himself of a commodious overcoat, when he stood in the presence oi the audience clad in a spielt span new suit of blue jtaus, which had been pre sented to him by the ladies ot the Gault bouse, I.ouisville. His tall frame and firm features made him an object that would attract attention in any crowd, but bis personal appearance has been so often descrited that it would tie useless to say anything about It here. The vast audito rium of the .cauemy oi .music was crowueu to overflowing, not eVen standing room being left In any of tlie galleries, while the stairs and entrance were filled to their utmost capacity. Governor Williams to Iiis seat near the center of the staue, with Governor Hendrickson his left and Lieutenant Governor Gray on his right. The meeting was then called to order ny .Mr. tsexton, wno announced the ltev. Warren Randolph, of the First Baptist church, who came forward and onVred a prayer. A solemn hush fell upon the audience, the murmuring aud moving of feet ceased, and all arose and bowed their heads, while they listened to an eloquent and feeling invocation for the divine blessing to rest upon tlie proceedings. Mr. ltaudolph thanked iod for the many bl.'Mdmrs he iiad bestowed upon mis Ki.mii nnltvuiiil tüte, and nrnved that thev miuht continue. He aked that the blessing of God might rest upon tneotneers wno are uooui to retire, and mat. an tne acts oi tne new oniclals would be In accordance with the divine will. At the conclusion the ew AI banv silver band, which had secured a tnisl tion on the back part of the stage, struck up a llvelv air wnicn put tne audience in a goou humor to listen to tne addresses ana waten tue ceremonies which were to follow. THK FOR MAL INSTALLATION. Mr. Sexton then announced that Jamea D. Williams would come forward find receive the oath of office, which would be administered by the Hon. W. E. Nlblack, of the supreme bench. Bot h gentlemen then came forward and stood fac:og each other. while Judge ibltu-k administered the fol lowing oath: "Do you solemnly swear that vou will support the constitution of the United Ktatee and the constitution of the state of Indiana, and that you will faithfully discharge the duties or governor of Indiana A gentle bow of the head and an audible "I do." from Mr. Williams, and lie was declared governor of Indiana, uoveruor Jiendricks then stepped to the front and in . a lew re marks thanked the members of tho senate and house of representative s for the expreeKioll of good will they had made toward him, announced that Lc had now retired from the ottiee of governor, and that his successor was nowbL'lore them, llns announcement was re ceived with loud cheers, aud then Governor Williams stepped forward and read his luaugu ral as follows: InnnsnrM A.l.lresH. Gentlemen of tho Senate and House of Repre sentatives: I have no words at invcommaud with which to express my thanks lor the proof of conti üence with which I have beeu honored in placing me in the highest position in the gilt or the people of our beloved state. The resimar message enjoined by tho consll tution having alitady been submitted to tlie present legislature by my predecessor, it Is at tuts time inappropriate ior nie to suomit spe eitle roconlineiidations. As tlie powers dclA gated to tlie exreutive are calculated to aiT.'ct Interests of vital importance to the whole people. I may be permitted to Ivo a brief view of some p Mieral principles which, In my judg ment, de at the foundation of our prosperity and should regulate the administration of our public attain. OurMate, liirommon with the rest of the Union, and especially the western portion, 1 exeriencing ihe distress and embarrassment cous ?quent upon a system, of over troding and deceptive sj)-culailon. Our consumption having exceeded our Income, the-balance must be restored by a corretiondlug excess f our receipts over our expensed. We have been lured to the embrace of debt under the llattering guise of credit and we can be extricated only by the Joint aid of In dustry and economy. We should attain seek the ancient landmarks of frugality and repulionn simplicity from which too many have unwittingly strayed. I -abor is tlie prime source of wealth in a state. No community can pros per without it. Commerce,-the business of which U only to exchange the products of the Industry of one place for tnose oi auouier, hhrhlv advantageous as it Is to a community, nan not exist without tlie life sustaining breath oi labor. It is irratlfving to eee form recent Indication that this opinion is gaining if round In nnexnected ouarters. This should serve as an encouragement to the advocate of truth nnder adverse circumstances, nrov Ing, as it does, tliat sooner or later her right wt-1 be vindicated -and her supremacy ac knowledged. Our nositlon. sou and climate as well as the habits of our people, all point to lhat hrancn oi nt nor wnu-n iucvoieu iookhii It nre a mir chief reliance for last in il wealth and returning prosperity. This etlling should rink with 11 first tn respectability, as it un questionably is llrst In importance. The r.rtnelrm.1 und indeed almost the nly assistance which can be rendered to thin vital interest, the removal of indirect impositions, the wore cUngeroua and oppro&tlv

because unseen aud stealthy In their operation, is beyond the reecb of state legislation. It Is tobo regretted that a arowing distaale exists in too insiny quarters against tliH nurserv of virtue, this surest guaiantv of conitortand independence, this sheet anchor of our common prosperity, as exhibited iu the increasing numbers of our youth who are crowding the other professions to seek a livelihood on the accidents of human life. The true principles ..r economy In tlie odminMra'ion of public atTairs are essentially the tarmc a Uyx; which obtain in individual

ransnctions. No expenditures tdtould be in curred for onichil sei vices or otherwise unleM necessary or useful, and then at the lowest amount compatible with full and intrinsic va ue und ample ability of performance. Tested by this rule, all uniieces.su ry office, if a.y are lotind to exist, should be abolished. 'iibüc olncers should bi held to the strictest eeotin tnnil.ly. Kxcessi ve lecrislation is an evil. The increased burden thereby initxj-ed Uon the treasury is but one of the evils growine out of it. The laws by Inv'uent clmnes become complex, vagtie and uncertain. This uu nts tlu ni in a (treat meesure tor temif a known and safe rule of action in a communi ty. Itlsof the grell test importance t the welfare of tin people that the laws stlonld be generally known and well understood. For tils purpose they should be maturely consid-er.-d in their inception and be. fully tested by tlrneaud exrrL'UC '. This wnuVI t?nd great ly to insure harmony and certainty In their execution, and check a fruitful ami ice ot liti gation, wli ich tends to foment evil passion, to excite social discord, and operates as a heavy tax on the community. Cheap transportation is a suWeet of ereat itniiorbuice to tho producing classes. F.speclaliy the local rates charged on railroad. are oppressive at all points except where there is competition. It would ii well to give it your earnest consideration. l can n it. on this occasion, suffer the stibicct of our common kcIiooI system lo pass without some not ice. We 'have a fund equal, if not stip-rior, to that of any other state in the , nion. See that ?r is nianugtd in the interest of the rising generation. ion should guard tti right of sunrage and shield tills inestimable privilege against nil ncroaclinients, whether exhibited in the shupuof frund. illegal voting or lawless violence. Vain indeed is the establishment of our free government. If such abuses are suf fered toexist. 1 he ballot-box would, lu that case, cease to reflect tlie will of the majority. wnicn is tne essential privilege oi a repuoncuu government. Illegal voting and frauds In elections should be severely puniahed. Article rotir, section hve, ol the constitution of the state, reads us lot lows: "Tlie number of senators and representatives snail, at Ihe session next following each period of making such enumeration, be fixed by law ancLipporliotnil among the several counties according to the number of white male Inhabitants above twenty-one years of age in each." On the Ibth day ol December, 1h,', a bill passen by a strict party vote, fixing the number of senators and representatives to the general assem bly ior six years. nie same be came a inw by the lapse ol time. Iecember 27, 1-CJ. It failed to receive the approval of tlie then acting governor, although he was a m;iubr oi the dominant party. I would not recommend the passage of an entirely new law. but would recommend some amendment s so as to do equal Justice to all sect Ions and injusti.v to none. We have just passed through one of the most exciting and LitterZcanipaigns I have ever witnessed. None have had more bitter ness and ut Justifiable scMudal heaped upon their heads than myself. Notwithstandingail this 1 shall be pleased to co operate with you n any measure calculated to make us a united. piopcruus and happy people. JAMES U. WILLIAMS. The governor was frequently Interrupted by applause and remarks of approval, which were especially demonstrative wheu he referred to ilieg il voting and tlie frauds of ballot-box stinting. lie read In a clear. steady voice. with his head slightly inclined, ns is habit uil with him. and whs apparentiy unmoved by silence or cheers. When le readied tne sentence reierring to tne niaignant slanders that have been heaped ujon him, he ralMsl his honest eyes from the man-u-eript and glanced over tliat vast audience. and everyone of them cheered. After Mr. Williams had taken Iiis seat, amid prolonged cheers, Mr. Sexton stepped forward nd announced mat tue oatn of office would be administered to Mr. Gray by Judge Nihiack, which whs done. Mr. Gray then delivered tlie following inaugural ad dress, glancing at his notes only occasionally: Lieutenant Gotfrnr C2rajM Kpeeeb. Senators Ry virtue of the office which the people of Indiana have so generously conlerr. d upon me, it becomes my duty to pre side over your deliberations. While I shall approach tlie discharge of the duties with diffidence and concern, yet it shall be my con stant enort lo so act in the discharge of the various du. les of the offict, that none w ill be able to charge me with partiality or prejudice. Ha ing had some experience as a presiding officer, I am not unaware of the dtfficultles surrounding my position, and therefore can not promise i w in commit no errors: that my rulings will always be in strict iiaimony with parliamentary law, but I do promise that whatever errors may tie justly attributable to myself shall spring from ignorance or misguided Judgment and not from im proper motives. And i can not nope to suc cessfully discharge the duties of the position without your kind co-operation, which I most earnestly request. It is not one of the functions of my office to advise you cf the affairs of state or give recommendations in regard thereto. But 1 presume it will not be out of place for me to congratulate you uport the prosperous condi tion of the state and Its Institutions, and to say that Indiana lo-day lr an things which constitute an American state, educational or - otherwise, stands as one among the brightest stars in the grand national galaxy of the United States. The administration of state aflairs for the past four vears has been marked by such prudence. economy and intelligence that it has met with the approval or the people or tne state ana nas left its affairs in s'-cn excellent condition that the duties of the legislator of the present ses sion, aided by the advice and recommenda tions orthe governor ana state omeers, win, in mv Judgment, be easily performed. II has been well Bald that there is not much danger of erring on the side of too little law ; the world Is governed too much ; the danger rather lies in too much law making; in the passage of illy digested and unnecessary laws not demandi-d by the wants of the people, ana therefore neither enforced nor observed. The ability and Intelligence of a legislative body is not measured by the number of Its en actioent.i but by the wisdom of them. In looking forward to the work before ns it will be well to remem ber that we are but the servants of the people," and therefore our duty Is to serve them honestly and faithfully; to give them wholesome, jiist and equal laws, and our undivided attention to tne require ments of our positions. Every day a senator is absent from his seat his constituents are without voice or vote on the floor of the sennte. The n'aces conferred nnon us are not only posit ions of honor and distinction, but of responsibility ana trust. You are not only makers and repealers of the law. but cutrdians of the welfare of tlie peo ple, the constitution and täte. And If we desire those who are soon to succeed us on life's stage of action to be lovers of law and order, civil and religious libertT. defenders of the In stitutions which we must soon leave behind: if we desire civilization, Christian conduct, in tellectual culture, prosperity and patriotic de votion to country to ieineir leading enarnc teristics, the means must be provided, the ex ample must be given. Senators, I am aorry that I can not con gratulate you on the present outlook or national affairs. That thia people are in the midst ol a great national peril, is certainly obvious toall. Tlie peril is so great, tne in terestsat stake of such overwhelming magni tude, tlie trust in our hands so sacred, that the rage of party spirit Khonld sleep, it now behooves everv man whose heart beats In unison with the institutions under which we live. who has a soul that in thought ascends to heaven, to divest himRelf of party prejudice, to raise himself to a higher und purer plain of political - action and demand that the Question that has thrown tho nation into this throe of political excitement shall b honestly investigated ana impartially decided oy tne proper inounai it is the dutv of everv citizen and every persou clothed with the power of office to observe the law as her -tofore interpreted and underfcto d. No one know show soon he may need ita own strong protecting arm for himself. .Law Is the only sure protection for the weak, the only eiticient restraint upon tne strong when faithfully and Imnartiallr administer ed none are beneath its protection, none above iu control. In the absenoe of the observance and enforcement of the law, we will have anarchy, confusion, riot and mill tarv detDolUra. In Its obervaacd. peace quietude aad protection to person and prop

erty. HtandlhJln tne presence of my countrymen and coavhywonien, speaking for myself, 1 can iruiy nay that as I love my country with all the glorious r,-o!iections that cling around its past, as I weultv have those who are to come alter me rcaiize the grnnd anticipations of its future greatness, a I would have my children enjoy the blessings O civil and religions liberty a I myself Imv? enjiytsj them thu tar, I do hop" and prjty tlvit lie who holds tha destiny of natimis in Ills n:tnd may so direct the minds of our rulers thHt this cup will pass from our lips and that the nation will come out of th Im peril, like gold that has pawed

through the crucible, purer aud better than when it came upon us. Kr-nators: I trust thnt In all vonr delibera tions you will not fail to extend to each other that kindness and courtesy due fiom man to his fellow at all times and in all plaoes, and which should esncially mark the conduct of members of deliberative and legislative bodies. I hope that your legislation w ill lie characterized by wisdom an t economy, and will add to the prosperity and happiness of the nem.ie: and renown of the state, so that when vour isoors are ended and vou shall have eone to your several homes it can bo said of vou: "Well done, goo I and faithful servant: von nave proven, truo to the trust confided to your cu re." The address of Lieutenant Governor Oray was received witli the greatest enthusiasm, and when he took his seat Mr. Sexton aroe and declared the meeting adjourned mm die. ' And now." said he. as. the new government of indhniL ! has been formally install. -d, let us all rise to our feet and give three rousing cheers indicative of the good Will with Which, for the next tour years.we send itdownthestreamoftime." and they were given with a will. The audience then began moving out. while the New riibuny band Uaved a thrilling seleeiioii. Ihe ceremonies took Just ti) minutes, and passed olf as smoothly as if there were none but the principal actors present. In a few minutes the hall was enured. Governor Hendricks and (Joveruor Williams being among the number who left. as they had determined not to remain thiongh the convention. The audience comprised the Intelligence of the city and state, the rude and boisterous element being conspicuously absent. Can in(t; the Governors. At 5 o'clock yesterday evening, before Gov ernor Hendricks aud Uoveruor Williams bad left the executive rooms, a large delegation from Shelby county and a number of jersons from the city visited the governor's office for tlie purpose of presenting to each an "old hickory ''cane made from the pride of the fornuivii "s 1 1 1 v Lrt.r-5 UHC IUI UtlUUvIB of democracy at Shelbyvllie during the recent campaign. The IIou. Alonzo Blair, as tne appointed spokesman, addressed the retiring governor, who responded appropriately. Governor Williams . was next presented a similar cane. In accepting which he said he leeelved it in the spirit in which it w as present d, and hoped that not an act of his administration would bring a blush to the cheek of any one of the citizens of Shelby county. The persons present, utter paying their respects to the gov ernor by individual introductions and congratulations, withdrew. The Reception and Ball. To say there was a crowd at the reception held by Governor Williams at his rooms at the Occidental hotel lust night, hardly touches tne met. Vioveriior iiiianis and his daugh ters, Mrs. McCoy and Mrs. lunn, and Mr. and Mrs. Vv.ll. r.nglish and Mr. and Mrs. James B. Kyan received the guests. When the reception was over, the visitors reiaired to the dining room, which had ben cleared of tables, and to the merry sounds discoursed by an orchestra they waltzed, schottisched, polkaed and danced quadrilles. The ball room. corridors and halls were rilled with a perfect jam of the elite of the city, while hundreds from all parts of the state and many from other states were present. It was the larret crowd that nas ever attended a gnbernatorim reception In this state, and lack or space only preM-ntsa more extended notice of It. Senator K. v. 1V11 and wite, lieutenant itovernor J. P. Gray, Judge A. B. Carlton, ex-Lieutenant Governor lion. Sexton, Morgan II. Weir, W. H. Knglish, T. It. Cobb, A. U. Porter, Miss Jo.-le CullK-rtson of Bedford, the Misses Jenkins, Mrs Alice Dunn of Franklin, Miss Bryan, the Misses Cooper, .Mrs. J. M. Lord, Miss Kengan, Wood Tousey and wife, John T. Houston and wife, B. Jones and wife, Samuel B Kerr of New Albany, Mr. McKenna, Mrs. Klshback. Mrs. John Iove Mks Irene Vawttr and Ophelia Wheat of Franklin, II. 1). Pierce and w ife. Miss Carrie Robinson and Mis Hattle Drake of Newark, N.J.. and hundreds of others were there. THE CONVENTION The democratic convention thatassembk-d in Indianapolis yesterday, the 8th of January, 1377, came up to the largest expecta tions of the most sanguine men of the party. It was in all regards grand. It was com posed of representative men from every county in the state. When we consider the season of the year, the inclemency of the weather, the prostration of business and the consequent ec&rcity of money, the outpour ing of the people was extraordinary and in dicative of a purpose in the highest sense creditable alike to their intelligence and their devotion to the principles of constitu tional liberty. The convention was presided over with marked ability and fairness by Judge Good ing, and the uniform good order that prevailed, from first to last, was the subieet ot cenerous praise ana anc. proval. Never in the history of Indiana has there been a convention held within her borders by any party or for any purpose more distinctly marked by a serious regard for the proprieties of the oe easion. This was expected, for never did men assemble for a higher or a more sacred purpose. With state constitutions prostrate beneath the heel of an unscrupu lous' de8.t; with bayonets in the vitals of three sovereign, bleeding and prostrate states; witlu returning board cor. spirators reversing the ' decision cf a sovereign people; with the ballot-box shorn of its dignity and power; with liberty flickering between life and death; with the last hone of 'freemen coins out in darkness; with fraud triumphing ovc right, and perjury beating down the battlements of truth. The people of Indiana In this supreme moment came together to de liberate. "We knew they would come. We said they would come as "The wlnda oome when lorests, are rended," And come they did, from hill and valley, city, village and hamlet, in the depth of winter, regardless of sacrifices. with hearts beating in full accord with the noblest purposes and the sternest resolves. They met for deliberation. Aa we write hun dreds of them are on their homeward way, and while we hope that the influence of the convention will serve to inspire fresh hope for their country's welfare, and sterner resolves to protect their liberties and rescue them from the grasp of conspirators, we con less with some degree of regret that the con vention did not, in its utterances, come up to the democratic sentiment of the state. In this we do! not refer to the speeches that were made; these are deserving of the highest encomiums; they aroused, the enthusiasm of the people; they inspired courage; they intensified zeal, the fruits of which we believe will be gathered in rich abundance should corfpirators ever decree a harvest time. The people of Indiana are

thorotiMy informed in regard to the purpose f the conspirator! They have see- tbeir stealthy steps of fraud in three ptatea. Legislatures overawed, supfme courts struck down and returning boarew' reversing the voice , of a free peoplv TWV had seen conspirators protected by UniteV States troops, while

honejt men were left io ht tlie battle of constitutional liberty alone and tingle i3n4e(L Their purpose in coining to Indianapo was not to be informed upon these subjects. They were thoroughly advised. They had wachel with tho most intense solicitude the limy track of the conspirators. They had btool almost dumb as they heard the infernal crew strike their ponderous blows against the citadel of iberty, and the great purpose in coming to Indianapolis was to understand what was best tobe done when usurpations rule the hour. Upon these terrible iaies what says the convention? What are the brave worJs that t sends forth to the world? What high resolvs does it recommend? What intens devotion to the righta of tlie people does it inculcate? What noble sacrifices for the preservation of liberty does it encourage? These are questions that the people are lkely to ask, and then they will ask them selves is their birthright worth what it cost. The utterances of the convention, in the opinion of very many democrata whose opin ions are entitled to consideration, were not as emphatic as the occasion demanded. It was a time to ej-eak in tones that bhould awaken every latent enerjne of froemen.and go ringing through the land like a million of bude blasts. Hut this intensified caution must not be accepted by the conspirators as an indica tion that the people of Indiana will quietly yield up their independence to fraud, or desert the constitutional guarantees of freedom without such resistance as becomes men who , know their rights and dare maintain them. There are recent indications that the sen atorial conspirators are about to abandon their plan of having the president of the senate count the votes and declare who shall be the next president. There's a new scheme on foot, which would meet their views quite as well, and would swindle Mr. Tilden out of his election. We confess that it looks feasible, and as we put nothing be yond Morton and the crowd that is usually nfluenced by him, we believe that they would find it easier than. the one regarding tlie president of the senate. It is this: To manage and manipulate the proceedings of tho joint convention so as to carry its pro ceedings up to the 4th of March, when by .aw (he lower house ceases to exist oris fund m ojtirio. There then being no election by this joint convention, the president of the senate becomes president of the United States for four years. Why is the scheme not feasible to a smart set of polit ical desperadoes headed by a man like Mor ton? Terry would probable meet their views better than Mr. Hayes, or if not, they could elect some one who would. Of course the two houses are to count tha votes. H. Clay. Thus spake Henry Clay and nearly every senator and representative that ever opened his mouth on the subject, and only last winter all the more prominent of the present radical senators indorsed Ilenry Clay. It is only recently that we find a change of front on the part of the radical party, and only now because it can only save its bogus president by giving the president of the sen ate the power to "count'' him in whether elected or not, and have the senate and lower branch sitting around "like Stoughton 'bottles,'' while the rascally operation pro ceeds. We wonder how long old Ilenry Clay, or Dan Webster, or Tom Benton would have kept their seats while the president of the senate was doing the job. The will of the dead commodore has been made public. It makes a reasonably fair distribution of his property among his near relatives, but makes no charitable bequests. The Indianapolis Daily and Weetly Sentinel The Beutlnel is not only tho Exponent of Indiana Democracy, but is beyond question the Commercial Paper of the State .and at least the equal In point of Literary and News Merit of any of lt rivals. It will keep a I tegular Cor respondent at the Capital during the exciting session of Congress which has Just begun, have full and accurate reports of Legislative Proceedings here Hilft winter, and will be In every senst?the Taper for the People. Tne Weeklywill be the best in the Btate. The fact is no family can atTord to be without one of onr issues, Dally or Weekly. TtKMs: Invariably Cash In Advance. . DAILY. 1 Copy one year . 10 00 1 Copy six month. . 6 00 1 Copy three months - . 2 50 1 Copy one month 85 Clubs of five or more, one year, 13 each.... 40 W Clubs of Ave or more, 0 months, $4 23 each 21 2& Clubs of 5 or more, 3 months, 2 25 each. 11 2S Clubs of 5 or more, 1 month, 73 cents each 3 75 Clubs of 7 or more, one copy extra to getter np , of club furnished free when no commlssloa Is charged. WEEKLY. 1 Copy one year $ I Li Clubs of four, one year 6 CO Clubs of ten, one year..M....-...-. 12 00 Clubs of twenty. .... .. ... . 20 00 In Clubs of ten or more, one copy extra to getter up of club furnished free, when no commlislon is charged. (Sunday Sentinel same terms as Weekly. . Specimen copies furnished free. Send for Club and Subscription Ciroular. Address, ,. . : INDIANAPOLIS SENTINEL COMPANY Indianapolis, Ind.

0