The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-02-27
THE LOYALTY OF THE DEFEATED.

Disappointment is the lot of mankind
and will continue to be so long as many are
called and few are chosen. The candidates
before the late democratic state convention
in the ratio of the offices to be filled, were
as eight to one. Consequently seven eighths
of the number were inevitably doomed to
defeat. But this fact did not dampen their
ardor nor cause them to shrink from the
contest. They had entered the lists and
they were determined to contest for the
prizes to be won. Although the contest was
sharp, it was honorably conducted. The
candidates did not traduce each other, SO
when the verdict was announced there was
no wound to heal or private grief to assuage.
There has never been state convention
held by the democracy of Indiana which left
so few scars as that of Thursday last This was
apparent on the evening of the day it was
held, and is confirmed by the situation now.
When Mr.. Shanklin received the nomina-
ton for secretary of state Judge Gooding,
his principal competitor, moved that it be
made unanimous. This act of the distin-
guished gentleman from Hancock is worthy
of him. He has hold upon the democracy
of Indiana which will be strengthened and
made firmer by this magnanimity.
Judge Cravens, of Jefferson, another
prominent candidate for secretary of state,
in a recent interview with reporter of the
press, declared that the ticket nominated
was good and strong one. The Madison
Courier says that Judge Cravens is better
"a 49, L., r. l.
He is an honorable and cultured gentleman,
and has the respect and confidence of the
democracy of the state in an eminent degree.
His course is what might be expected
from one of the most honored
democrats in Indiana. AS Of Judge
Gooding and Judge Cr9vens, so of Mr.. Brad
ley and the other unsuccessful candidates
for secretary of state. They, one and all,
bow to the decision of the convention, and
enter heartily into the contest which COM
mences so auspicIously.
We have not the space to speak in detail
of the several gentlemen who we're unsuc-
cessful competitors for nomination on the
democratic ticket last Thursday, but there is
one whom we can not pass without notice.
This is Mr.. John ]. Cooper. He entered the
contest at an early stage, and made vigor-
Gus canvass. Living at the capital, he drew
upon himself the fire of all those who sought
position and preferment through the false
cry of an indianapolis ring" Although
this cry was started by the Journal
and the News of this city, there were
democrats in the state so badly
informed as to believe it. Mr.. Cooper is an
honored democrat of Indianapolis, and was
entitled to the enthusiastic support he
received. He had once led forlorn hope,
and had been prodigal of his time and
means to advance the interests of his party.
1t IL no wonder then that his friends rallied
around him and strove their utmost to
secure his nomination. The democracy of this
city would have been ungrateful had it done
less for him than it did. He deserved every
vote he received, and had be been nomi-
mated would have brought much strength
| to the ticket in this county. But another
was preferred, and Mr.. Cooper and his
/ friends accepted the verdict and will abide
/ by it. When he arose III the convention
Z anu AnOftO bldb tH0 hOihlh"tiOh VI MI
I Fleming be made unanimous he but acted
in accordance with his whole political career.
He has ever been loyal to his party and Its
organization, and the man who expects Mr..
Cooper to nurse his grievances or give the
the ticket onlys lukewarm support does not
know the man. His tall form will be seen
in the thickest OF the approaching battle, and
although he was not chosen as one of the
captains to lead the forces, be will demon
strate to the people that he can do execution
in battle without epaulets being npon hi'
shoulders.