contracting any loan of money, on the faith of the State, unless to meet engagements heretofore entered into, without a direct vote of the people approving the same, except such sum as may be required to repel invasion, or to sustain our political institutions in time of war.

Resolved, That we favor an amendment to the Constitution distributing the county seminary fund (arising from fines and forfeitures hereafter accruing) among the several districts for the use of common schools.

Resolved, That it is, in our opinion, highly expedient that the General Assembly, or legislative chambers should meet but once in two years, and that the new Constitution ought to contain a provision to that effect, providing, however, that the Governor have authority, in cases of emergency, to assemble the legislature in extra session, whenever, in his opinion, the public good requires it.

Resolved, That, looking to the past experience of Indiana, we are tho o ghly convinced that a fruitful source of evil is an excess of local legislation, and that in revising our State Constitution, it should be a primary object to find a remedy therefor; and further that some general provision ought to be adopted having reference to incorporations, county business, and other subjects of legislation, heretofore unnecessarily multiplied.

Resolved, That we, as a portion of the citizens of Indiana, do advocate the reduction of the number of offices now existing, in every case where the same can be done without detriment to the efficiency of our system of government-that we are opposed to their multiplication-that a reduction of State expenses, by a reduction of offices and officers, is of vital importance to every interest; and that while the payment of fair salaries, for services rendered, is just both to the people and the servant, no extravagance should be tolerated in remodelling the organic law which is to govern the generations to succeed us.

Resolved, That the development and improvement of the agricultural and mineral resources of Indiana, and a fostering care of the mechanic arts, are objects of high importance; and that, in our opinion, such wise legislation should be tolerated, under our new system as will give to these great elements of our wealth and respectability, a first rank in the enterprises which have distinguished the nineteenth century.

Resolved, That the exemption of the Homestead, or its equivalent in personal property, from forced sale, for debts contracted

after the adoption of the new constitution, would be a measure of policy and humanity-that it would be in consonance with our republican institution-that this government owes protection to the wives and children of its citizens, and that a Home for innocence. and infancy is demanded alike by the impulses which operate upon the human heart, no less than by the teachings of the Divine law that such a provision in our constitution would tend to repress, in this country, that fatal abuse so long existing in the systems of the old world, overgrown land monopoly (the fruitful source of bloodshed and attempted revolution)-that it would create a spirit of true independence in the political action of the masses of the people, and prove the means, finally, of perpetuating the wise, just, and glorious institutions of our beloved country, adopting the language of Mr. Jefferson, we declare: "Our National independence will never be complete till the Homestead of the citizen shall be secured against the misfortunes incident to human life.''

134. Circular of Indiana State Democratic Central Committee (March 1, 1850).

On or about March 1, 1850, the Democratic State Central Committee issued a Circular which was designed as an answer to the Whig Resolutions of January 16. The portions of the Circular referring to a constitutional convention are as follows:

[Daily Lafayette Courier, March 1, 1850.]

The Whig members in the Indiana legislature, at the recent session ere they left the capital held a secret session, together with some others of the party, in which were no doubt fully and freely discussed the means of gaining a party triumph, either in the next legislature or State convention, to assemble in October, to alter and amend the Constitution of our State, if not in both. This meeting resulted in the adoption of an unusually long string of resolutions, which has been thrown out as Whig principles for the coming canvass.

In relation to the great subject of constitutional reform, there appears to be a studied effort to deceive. It is well known that nearly all the new constitutions that have been lately adopted, have been the work of Democratic conventions. In the acts of those conventions the capacity of the people to elect all their officers, judicial as well as legislative, has been fully vindicated. The power of legislative bodies to contract debts, by a combina

tion of local interests, so disastrous to our own State, has been curtailed in these Democratic Constitutions, and this feature of reform is very popular in Indiana. Many other questions, under the controlling influence of the spirit of the age, have become selfevident propositions. A number of these have been seized upon by the secret caucus above alluded to, and appropriated as the exclusive property of the Whig party of Indiana. We are glad to see our opponents coming over to these measures, but we demur to the claim they set up. But the question here arises, are these self evident propositions the only reforms to be made in our State constitution? If so, why all this expense of one hundred and fifty delegates to attend the convention? Why was so much interest manifested, that every portion of the State should be represented? No, fellow-citizens, the object in the adoption of these resolutions was to deceive. It is said, that Satan himself sometimes assumes the appearance of an angel of light, and we know that our first parents were thus deceived. We should profit by the lesson. The whole constitution of our State will be thrown open for alteration and amendment. Democratic conventions have made constitutions in accordance with the spirit of the age and are therefore to be trusted, and we believe there are very many persons, still acting with the Whig party, that would much rather trust our constitution in the hands of a Democratic convention than with their own party friends.

As we believe the time has now come for action, and as we believe that the people of the townships and counties throughout the State, should act on the great questions at issue for themselves, we would respectfully suggest a plan of bringing this desired object about, as follows:

1. We recommend that the Democrats of every township in the State meet at the place of holding the township elections, in each county, on the first Monday in April, and select delegates to a county convention, to nominate candidates for the August election.

2. That the county conventions, for the nomination of candidates, be held in each county, on Saturday, the 13th of April, if some other day shall not be fixed upon.

3. We would also respectfully recommend that at the county conventions, the Democrats in the counties generally, nominate a full ticket, embracing delegates to the convention to amend the Constitution, as well as all other officers.

135. Joint Delegate Ticket in Marion County (April 13, 1850).

The Democratic Convention of Marion county was held on April 13, 1850. The Whigs professed a desire to name a compromise delegate ticket containing both Democrats and Whigs. Accordingly, the following communication, setting forth this project, was addressed to the President of the Marion county Democratic convention.

[Tri-Weekly State Journal, April 24, 1850.]

Indianapolis, April 13, 1850.

To the President of the Marion County Democrat Convention. SIR-You will please lay the enclosed communication before the body over which you have the honor to preside.

Respectfully,

S. V. B. Noel.

Secretary of the Marion County Whig Central Committee.

Gentlemen of the Democratic County Convention:

The Central Committee of the Whig party of the county of Marion, impressed with the belief that the good of the community would be best promoted by the selection of a compromise ticket to be run for delegates to the State convention to revise and a end the constitution, and acting in accordance with what they believe to be the wish of the Whig party of Marion county, whom they represent, would respectfully propose to the Democratic convention, this day assembled to nominate candidates for the several offices to be filled in August next, that they (the Democrats) should nominate two candidates only, and that the Whig convention, to be assembled on this day week, shall nominate two other candidates, which four candidates shall receive the joint support of the two parties. Or if our Democratic friends, agreeing to the principle of a compromise by which each party shall have an equal number, shall suggest any other just and practicable mode of carrying out the design, we pledge ourselves, on behalf of the Whig party, to accede to the proposition.

Believing, that an arrangement, such as is above suggested, would accord with the views of a large majority of the voters of Marion county, without distinction of party, that it is honorable and fair, and that it would be promotive of harmony and good feeling in our community, we make the proposition in good faith, and respectfully request that our Democratic friends give it a careful consideration.

On behalf of the Whig County Central Committee.

J. L. Mothershead, Chairman.

S. V. B. Noel, Secretary.

The Democratic convention referred the communication to a select committee of one delegate from each township, who, after deliberation, submitted the following unfavorable report.

[Tri-Weekly State Journal, April 24, 1850.]

Mr. President:-The committee appointed to take under consideration, the communication of the Central Committee of the Whig party of the county of Marion, in relation to the selection of a compromise ticket, consisting of two Democrats and two Whigs, to be run as candidates for delegates to the State convention, would respectfully report: That, under a full view of the difficulties attending such a compromise they are of the opinion that it would be inexpedient to adopt the suggestions of the Whig committee. Time prevents your committee from entering into the many reasons for this opinion, but we will briefly state

1. That there is no certainty that this suggestion would be carried out by the two parties in good faith, if adopted, not having been agitated before the people, especially when we consider that a convention of the Whig members of the last legislature recommended the nomination of full tickets by the Whig party, embracing delegates to the convention, and that most of the decided Whig counties in the State are acting on that suggestion.

This recommendation was also met by the Democratic State Central Committee, who have recommended the nomination of full tickets-that the Democratic county committee of Marion county agreed with the recommendation of the State Central Committee, and this convention has now assembled under these recommendations. These facts being well known to the Whig Central Committee, we cannot but entertain the idea, that this proposition was either thrown in here for the purpose of distracting our counsels, and under the certainty of its rejection, to make political capital in the coming canvass; or the Whig party (or at least its leading men), in view of their situation as a party and the recent triumphs of Democracy throughout the Union, have despaired of electing any of their men under any other method.

2. We candidly ask of Whigs, as well as Democrats, when did ever the Whig party grant any favors to Democrats? Was it in 1840 or was it at any time when they were in the ascendant? Is it now, under this present Taylor administration, when proscription is the watchword throughout the Union?

3. It is contended that there is no use for party in a convention; but what are we about to do? Are we not throwing open to