The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1879-02-06
SENATOR INGALLS, TRIUMPH.
The Battle and the Victory.

/. Having participated in or witnessed
all the Senatorial contests of Kansas,
save one. we feel safe in the avcrment
that the one eliminating in the re-
election of Hon. John J. ingalls,, last
Friday, to have been the most remarka-
bic that has vet marked the cxciting.and
varied political annals Of the State, the
brilliancy of the triumph being unpre-
cedcnted. Among the numerous aspi-
rants Of the past no one ever entered
the list SO fortified by public sentiment
and SO strongly endorsed by his party
as he but, upon the other hand, no one
was ever met by such formidable
array of aspiring opponents. Backed
and counscled by the clcverest and most
experienced manipulators, and animated
by the one single determination that he
who had III six years won a national
reputation must fall ere he attained the
proportions of giant, the principals
to a political conspiracy succeeded in
forming a combination which comprised
oil known clements and every political
interest of our commonwealth. That
Senator Ingalls, was the first choice of a
majority of the Republicans of both
branches Of the Legislature counted as
nothing against their disappointment
and defeats of the past, nor their present
ambitions and hopes, which could only
find fruition in his downfall. To encom-
pass such a result the coalition trod down
all party usage and needed as less than an
idle song preccdents as venerable and as
sound as free government itself. Into
the alliance entered Ex-Governor An
thony with forces that he had been mar
shaling about him for two years; U. 5.
Marshal d. +. Simpson, appointed to his
present position through the hearty
consent of the friend he was cndeavor-
ing to strike dewn and seconded by the
man whom he had displaced; Elder
Mitchell, who, wrapped in the robes Of
sanctity, forced himself upon conven-
ton as its candidate for greenbacks and
reform, and who, for weeks, prowled
about the State and through the church
drumming up recruits for charge that
might in the success Of another afford
him an amount Of political prestige Of
unknown quantity, blessing and encour-
aging the unworthy alliance; ex-Sena-
tor 8. c. Pomcroy, with all his expe-
ricncc, and all his sores as well, and
hatred; Congressman w. A. Phillips,
with his power begotten Of eight years
Of Congressional patronage; Sidney
Clarke, with his treachery and sore
head the several candidates, known
only 10 their circumscribed localities,
and numerous clark horses" of the
same breed: and lastly. but not least,
the Democratic organization in almost
solid phalanx, all agreeing but upon a
single proposition, the defeat Of the ma
jority candidate. Thus FAINT idea may
be gained of the intense battle waged
necessarily for many days and nights,
and the earnest enthusiasm that follow
ed the cry Of victory. No appeal from
Senator Ingalls, friends availed with
these men Of set teeth and despairing
ambition for so much as respectful
hearing. The leaders of this minority,
the leaders of all the factions ami inter-
csts involved. as also the Methodist
preacher, recognized but one banner,
held TO but one sentiment, answered TO
but one cry: themselves first. a dark
horse of their own grooming second,
and the defeat of ingalls, at whatever
cost of honor, good faith or fealty to
party. However honorable these va
rious candidates may have been in the
past, or may prove in the future. they
left no tool, however dirty, untried no
wire of any connection unpullcd: no ex-
pedient of whatever complexion TN !
tested, even to the employment of a
Democratic paper, published in an adj
joining State, which was delivered daily |
by special train. the columns of which |
was filed with Misrepresentation and |
vile personal abuse of the man whose
political record as e. 5. Senator from !
Kansas stands unimpeached and unim- |
pcachable. And at the last, when.
from successive ballots il became evil
dent that another ballot would vindi-
cate the Senator and ratify the choice
of the people an adjournment was
forced. and Immediately after every
leader marshalcd his forces TO hall.
where, after the hour of midnight. by
bullyings, by plcadings and by promises
many who had told Senator Ingalls,
from the start that he was their second,
If not their first choice, were forced into
Q quasi endorsement of or agreement 10
support anothcr.-not that the other
was any truer or purer Republican; not
that he was more experienced not that
his location was less objectionable. but
simply because he had previously ar
ranged to carry out the wishes and per-
sonal interests of the conspirators /; or I
that they thought such interests safer I
In his hands.
The result all know. 1t was the grand
ct triumph ever achieved in the State,
and as such acknowled by several lead
ing members of the United States Sen :
ate who, before the lapse of an hour.
were pouring in their hearty congratu-
|ations by telegraph. From every por-
ton of the State. before the members
had left the halls. were flashed the most
hearty approvals; while shout upon
,hout went up with a vehemence that !
almost shook the capitol. I
Ii is well. II. after such record as |
has been made by Senator Ingalls,, he {
had been defeated by the Representa- a
ives Of the people of this State, there C
would have remained little cncsur-
lgemcnt for our Congressman and Sen
Itors Of the future. :
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