New-York tribune., 1872-06-18
INDIANA.

TIE SEEDS OF THE POLITICAL REVOLUTION
sOwN LONG AGO-THE CINCINNATI PLAT
FORM wELCOAfED-THE PEOPLE TAKE THE
LEAD IN THE REFORM MOvEMENT-FoRMER
LEADERS STRUGGLING TO REGAIN POSI-
TTON IN THE VAN-EFFECT OF THROWING
COLFAX OVERBOARD-GRAVE DISSATIsFAC-
TIOE AMONG THE GRANT FOLLOWERS.
rvROM TEE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THB TRlBoNEl
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, June 15.-Ihe lines are
sr,D and the contest fairly begun In this old bate-
g-onnd Of the Democracy A political contest at any
.,o in Indiana means downright work, with steady
rear and tear Of party machinery This year. as the
signs 90 II neans one OF the most remarkable cam
oaigns since the days OF Harrison. In pohncs as
IN var the genuine HoOsier' never knows when he Is
be,te, never knows when TO run. In 1856 the State
elected its last Democratic Governor by majority or
gs72 and in the same campaign gave James Buchanan
pluralty OF "a 2e5 and 1909 majority over all From
t- time until 1853 no Democrat achieved success at
he polls although steadily year by year. the strong he
public an vote was diminished Now, without the LID
r issue which changes the political complexion OF the
state the two parties would be about equally divided.
4-ba struggle OF 1868 was the intensest political
contest ever aged in the State; and Senator Norton
with the Republican purse OF the whole country TO draw
from gained the GOvernOrship by barely 900 majority
In 1870 this meager majority was obhterated and on
yrelv local issues the Democrats carried the State by
> s7s for Secretary OF state. That however, was the
-, GEAR " and may be taken imperfect index OF
,h relative balance OF power. With the dsheartening
eeord OF twelve years of almost unintermited defeat
the ndotabc Democracy Of the State nave year ater
year. come up squareiy TO the eonrict Win uhiag-
ing ardor and unimpaired trust With pertlnaeity
and consistency worthy better fate, they raned year
ft- wear around their foremost statesman, Thomas A
IJsndyes and met unvaryiDg defeat with stoca resig
ra.ion These were the years when mems minds were
mostly absorbed the tremendous issues OF the war
hen tina party itself rent IN twain by diverse eou-
ola and conflicting purposes when platforms were
md fnpa
victory for Democracy would have implied CEN
- oe the great cause Of human liberty
80 RepublIcan integrity Men believed that
o. - os marty would never let the Democracy relin-
r.b its past and that the mission OF the KepuDhcan
.rty must be perpetual The end Of the war wrought
snarveloos change the political current IDe mtDr-
AZ artisauship engendered by the political contests
- oftsDed by the free cOmminging OF the thousapds
., .a,er. Of both armies returned home, and the new
,el thrown into the political and hFeside discus
go almost changed the Of contemporary ponueS'
o. serv sistriet OF the State men were seieetea Ior
minor offices regardless Of party Animation ana tne uhA0
eustoed spectacle furnished of Democrats
from strong Republican localities ana the converse
o wears ao this marked change was noticed ana
Goned from state where the party famous Tor OBJ
ourat nartisanshp exhibited willingness 10 JOIN nus
s,l reforners IN the cause Of honesty so LDerahsl
40 Tnaaoa took root long before the first ndlcsuohs u
,be Cincinnati movement and when that came 10 pA',
there was great party ready 20 put on the fh's' anu
follow wherever Reform might lead - III i reEou.
tiap said Mr. Hendricks, "and OF the sort tha' wiz NV
90 ekWara1 In this Ugh. he declared before the Con-
s. . We have turned our own backs upon the past
a., ,..op our record IL IN the future The fuire mas
.t, Yeforro and peace there Is the place ior the
men who mean reformation 49,, I'll,
Eul t.s slsioaln idea - a gToat degree "S"noo is,
and wa. ia own spokesman 70 the Demo@Sey oi 'no %
ssAts. They. eauSht the inspiration T0lA VIC A-"'AN'