The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-04-07
HOOSIER DEMOCRACY.
ALyORD's SUCCESSOR:

PARTY TALK FROM THE FOUNTAIN HEAD
COMMENTS AND CRITICISMS ON PARTY MEN
AND PARTY MEASURES.
An Indianapolis correspondent of the Gin
cinnati Enquirer writes an entertaining
melange OF fact, fiction and conjecture about
party folks which will be of interest to the
subject, and the people at large who take an
interest in political probabilities.
In the reorganization OF the democratic
committee, which occurred a few weeks ago,
Colonel Alvord asked to be permitted to re-
sign on account of the pressure OF private
business. When a new choice was to be
made the committee exhibited rare sagaclty
and wisdom in the selection of Hon. Joseph
z. Mcdonald. Judge Mcdonald is a law
yer of the highest reputation in his profess
sion. i made some enquiries of legal
friend of mine as to his standing in the pro.
fession. My friend is himself good
lawyer who pays little attention to
but a democrat since 1856. He said:
81 regard Judge Mcdonald as the
finest lawyer in Indiana in many certain
particulars. He is not of the cast OF mind
of Governor Hendricks. Governor Baker.
Albert G: Porter, Senator Morton,
Major Gordon or Judge Worden; but he is
what regard perfect type of lawyer
courteous, cool. judicious, logical. sincere,
and devoted. He gains his cases by genius
and reason and argument, and, in fact, he
seldom loses case. Others OF us often win
by audacity or eloquence, but Judge Nc
Donald is not eloquent; he does not rouse
Jury to passion or inoculate 1t with preju-
dice; but in straightforward manner he
advocates his cause, and is never less than
fair to his opponent. Yes, L regard
him the purest type of a lawyer" That
was a fattering estimate of the Judges
professional character-an estimate not
made without knowledge, and one based on
substance and reality. Ny friends added:
"He has no vile habits-none. He never
swears; never drinks; is moral, and is
slave to no vice, unless inveterate smoking
is one. He is socially popular, and genial
companion and true friend" This is dash
Of the biographical analysis of the new
CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE COMMITTEE
Judge Mcdonald is from some distant
county Of this state. migrating to this sem
ter of the universe" like many thousands
of Indiana people, and becoming incor-
porated in its growing and enterpris-
ing population. In 1864 he was the candi-
date of the democracy for governor, against
o. p. Morton, and was subjected to the de-
feat which that year overwhelmed the de-
mocracy throughout the north. How much
the voting of a Massachusetts regiment
along the line of the l., G. and l.. railroad
(the companies leaving indianapolis in the
morning and voting "early, late, and often"
at the stations along the road) had to do
with McDonald's defeat do not know. Our
truly innocent postmaster, Colonel Will
Holloway, can perhaps rise to explain about
the number of 'foreign troops" who voted
in Indiana in October, 1854. Brother Hol-
| loway is a truly innocent man and would
never have been contaminated by such vile
things but by his wicked partnership with
his brother-in-law, Morton. Since Judge
hnnn
do hot think he has taken very active
part in politics, though never drifting into in
activity. He is Thorough radical democrat,
after the Governor Allen school. In 1872 he
supported Greeley, but he does not belong
| to what are known as NEW departure" dem
ocrats. He does not believe in compromis.
| ing away the name of the old organization
and its prestige, even to win temporary
victory. He has little faith in coalitions,
and he bases this faithfulness on the ground
that what would be gained from she opposi-
lion would be lost directly from the old
ranks of the democracy. In view of the late
call of the state committee for convention
and of the approaching campaign and its
| importance, l made visit to the law office
of Judge Mcdonald in this city to confer
with him as to the condition of things polit-
ical aud as to his
VIEWS ON CERTAIN TOPICS
Now sgitating the public mind. 1 found the
gentleman in a very comfortable suit OF
Office partments on the second floor front,
half block from the postoffice and on the
same street. He is not handsome man, as
the eve of the period discovers good looks
in persons ofthe masculine gender, but he
has an open countenance, striking face. at
tractive and inviting. His manners are not
at all gushing, but mOdulated and reserved.
There Is nothing repulsive, but quiet SIM
plicity; and when he addresses you in q
soft, plaintive voice, in the very best OF
household good English, you are agreeably
aware of the fact that You are in the pres
ence of a gentleman. That's good deal to
| say, nowadays. An experience of dozen
years in contact with public characters, of
ficiai and professional, has proved to me
that only meager proportion Of such men
have the remotest conception of what con-
stitutes gentlemen.
"Good morning, Judge Mcdonald" was
my. salutation TO the new and able chairman,
and he responded with
'How are you, sir? Please be seated"
The object Of my visit having been stated
he excused himself to his friends present
and withdrew with your correspondent to
| the private Office.
"Judge, L observe by your cal. for state
| convention that it Is intended to preserve
not only the organization of the democratic
party intact, but its old name. which it has
borne so long through success and defeat"
"Yes, sir, we so decided, or, rather. it was
simply acquiescence in the popular will a.
enthusiastically indicated in the press Of the
state and through all other popular chan
nels ~
''Then you did not look fsvorsbly upon
the suggestion of a new party name under
which to rally the democratic cohorts mex
October7"
"No, it met with no favor. This thing o
organizing a neY party as you would |
i spelling match is absurd. new party witt
the elements of strength init can't be organ
lied on mere question of reform. You viii
observe that 10 England parties have beer
materially the same from the beginning o
the government, though
SOMETIMES CHANGING
Their names. So it has been in this coun
try. Certain leading principles have separ
stad tho zaoesxal TINA