The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-04-28
HoMAs A. HENDRICKS.
\ Warm and thoughtful Article I'm Favor
of the Representative Democrat of Indi-
ana, and His Nomination at Cincinnati.

n Warm and thoughtful Article in Favor
of the Representative Democrat of Indi-
ana, and His Nomination at Cincinnati.
Evansville Courier.l
The Syracuse Convention has demons trated
that Mr.. Tilden's friends have no confidence
in his ability TO carry New York State. The
proceedings of that Convention show that he
is mixed up in such quarrels at home as
could only have been fomented by a man of
his peculiar methods. 1t now becomes the
duty-snd an imperative one-of all Demo-
Gratis who cherish the traditions of the partv
whose shibboleth has been Measures, not
men" to cease to advocate any mans sup
posed claims to the suffrages of the Demo-
cratic party. So far as the Democracy of
Indiana are concerned, we are willing to
surrender our first choice for the good of the
party at large. This is saying great deal.
1t is saying that we are ready to overlook the
services OF the wisest and bravest party lead
er of this age-s leader whose chief
claim to the affections and respect of
his followers, has al ways been his own pure
character, sturdy courage and gentlemanly
conduct against the greatest inducements to
desert the field of action and seek that re-
pose which comes to those who, in great
emergencies. are too weak to be brave If
we were disposed to cite the instances of the
courage and sagacity of Governor Hendricks
| as party leader we should be compelled TO
go over the history OF his splendid achieve
| ments in the United States Senate In behalf
of constitutional liberty, at a time when he
had but twelve party followers in that body;
| at a time when Sumner ruled and Fessenden
won the name OF being the greatest debater
OF his time; when Thaddeus Stevens, In the
Lower House of Congress, wrote history;
when Henry S. Lane placed the rame OF
| Indiana statesmsnship in the front rank;
when Oliver 2. Morton exhibited his mas
terly powers for party organization; when
IolI q bax old 10a
erclse by the executive department of great
Republic, OF a despotism such as the world
had never known before; when States were
! wiped out; when personal liberty was
abridged; when the voice of the press was
hushed by the mailed hand of power;
when every Democrats life was carried in
his own hand, and only he could be Demo-
crat who was ready to die for his faith
1t was then that Thomas A Hendricks
| never shirked his place in the fore front of
battle. His own life would have been freely
given for the cause he loved and led, and his
life was often in danger because of his lead
ership. These are few Of the reasons why
the Democracy of Indiana stand a unit--a
unit that schemers can not bresk-for Mr..
Hendricks. But the Democracy OF Indiana
are ready now, as they have always been, to
take their place in the ranks, il the Cincln-
natl Convention should so determine
Let II not be forgotten by the Democracy of
the Nation, however, that Indiana Democrats
stood an impossible barrier between those
who first conceived the idea of establishing
an Empire in this country, and those who
held TO the faith of the fathers. 1t should
not be forgotten, either, that Mr.. Hendricks
was the man who led the forces of consti-
tutional liberty through the four memorable
years when personal government and party
fanaticism menaced its existence; and to
round out his career, il should be remem.
bered, too, that he was the first Democratic
| Governor elected on the north side of the
| Ohio river after the termination of the war.
This much ought to be said, now that other
papers are contrasting his conduct with other
Presidential aspirants. 1t may be, or may
not be, that Mr.. Hendricks is not to receive
the Cincinnati nomination, and it may be
that his defeat will be attributable
to the personal hostility of the one
man in this country who should be most
grateful to Governor Hendricks. The tri-
umph OF 1876 was due to the fact that Mr..
Hendricks held his people at home firmly in
line when there was general tendency to
revolt. Whatever other people may think,
the Democrats of Indiana feel that there
could be no added honors to Mr.. Hendricks
public career in taking the Vice Presidency
This was the feeling among Indiana Demo-
Gratis in 1876 and while Mr.. Hendricks doubt.
less shared It-while it is well known In this
State that 1t would have been business
sacrifice to have taken his seat as Vice Presi-
dent, yet he accepted the nomination and
gave the canvass his personal supervision.
Ii Indiana's vote was necessary to Mr.. Til
denis election In 1876, Mr.. Tilden is the last
man who should now make personal con-
test against Mr.. Hendricks Whether he
does or not, he and his friends will find that
the fighting Democracy" of Indiana have
not forgotten the magic of Mr.. Hendricks
leadership, or how to accept an open gauge
of battle.