The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-10-25
rhe Gnhernafnrlnl Oneslion.

candidate for Governor, says:
The correspondent Of the Comnser
lcial desires that the contest shall be |
T. historic similar, indeed, TO the |
famous contest between Douglas and |
Lincoln, for the Senatorship in Him
lois. There is no doubt that contest
for the office Of Governor, between
MIR. Colfax and any other man, would
be historic on account Of Mr.. Col
fax's national reputation and great
personal popularity; but the parallel
in the peTsoBeL Of the contest would
mot appear TO any who remembered
the peculiar characteristics Of Mr..
douglas and Mr. Lincoln. The only
striking resemblance, so far as Mr..
'Lincoln and Mr.. Colfax are concern
ed, are their patriotism and purity Of
character. Their mental character
istics are widely different.
There is 40 question that the
Democracy will make the best fight
they cau-they always do that--but
we do not see the good policy or ne
cesslty Of discussing the relative men
tai and other qualifications of the
gentlemen who are possible Republi-
can candidates for Governor, at least,
at this early day. We want harmony
No personal animosities must be al
lowed TO weaken our strength in the
presence Of the enemy. But just as
sure as free canvass Of the intel
lectual calibre, moral fitness and
availability of this and that man is in
dulged IN n long way in advance Of
the convention, just so sure will 1t
end in heart burDings and ekerings,
which will be fruitful sources of
weakness.
We want for Governor a good man
and q strong man-Aone who viii per-
form the duties of his Office faithful1
and ably. We know that Govtrn6r
Baker fills these requirements. His
administration is proof OF that. Had
not the recent elections rendered IT,.
in the opinion Of some, necessary to
be more than usually cireumspect in
the creation of platforms and the Sc
lection Of candidates, Conrad Baker
could to-day be certain of nomination
by acclamation. But 1t is useless TO
disguise tue fact that the Republican
party has been somewhat weak eued
in this State by the causes which have
produced the recent untoward results
in others. Hence it is natu-'
raj that :" A Veteran of Har-
rison and other good Re
publicans should undertake prudent
husbandry Of our party resources by
eliminating elements of weakness, but
we 90 not think the people are pre-
pared to admit that Republican vic
tory will depend to any great extent
upon the relative superiority of any
one of the probable candidates as a
popular debater. But if it be of so
much Importance to the contest to
have Senator Hendricks overmatched
upon the stump, we believe that Gov
ernor Baker is just as able to satisfy
such a condition of success as Mr..
Colfax. His speeches last Fall were
among the clearest, most logical and
pungent delivered. In forcible die
ton, happy arrangement and lucid
augmentation, they stood forth in
sharp contrast to the vapid vapor-
ings which always make up the bulk
of campaign efforts. We are, how
ever, no advocate Mt this time of any
particular candidate for Governor.
Our principal object in calling at
tention to this matter us To-. enter
our protest against an unnecessary
discussion of the relative per
s1nal merits of confess diygood men.
We lose more thereby than We gain.
Let the press discuss tor the next six
months measures aud principles. The
Republicans of Indiana do not care
so much who is Governor as thew do
for the success of the principles which
he represents, and to make these con-
tinuedly successful they must be dis
cussed In a spirit of candoF and with
ability by the press. The stump
arouses passion and fillsvthe people
~ with enthusiasm but Seldom con-
yinces the Judgment. rTle great bat
tie will be fought by the press of tho
State, and very little Will depend upon
stump oratory, which but few OF any
large crowd will even hear much less
+ understand. Let the able Republ-
can papers of the State be circulated
"a copy of some one of them be
placed in the hands of each voter,
and all the evils attendant upon
much speaking may be avoided,
while the cause OF truth will be more
effeetually served.
We are satisfied that il. the friends
Of Messrs. Baker, Colfax, and Cum
back will be as accommodatingIi in the
adjustment of their differences as
these gentlemen will themselves be.
there will not occur the slightest
difficulty at the proper time In the
selection of a strong and represent
alive man as our candidate for Gov
o. eTnor. Above all things, let us4:nf;t
be betrayed into a belief that on
cause is TO be advanced by the leian-
trap of what is called effective
STUN p.sueak inpP' We do na4 ,,r5o.~