The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-02-16
General Arthur.
What He Says about the Management of
the Last Campaign.

Speech at the Dinner to Senator Dorsey.
L do not think we had better go into the mi
mute secrets of the campaign, because I see the
reporters present, and they may take it down,
and while there is no harm in telling about
some things after the election is over, you can
not tell what they might make of it before the
Inauguration takes place; and while do not
intend to say anything about my birthplace
laughter whether it was in Canada or else
where, still if should get agoing about the Sc
crets of the campaign, 1 do not know what
trouble it might make me before the 4th of
March. We tried to do away with the Fall
election in Indiana, but the Supreme Court
decided az ainst us; yet think the poisoned
chalice returned to their own lips and they
didn't make much out Of that When the de-
cision of the Indiana case was announced, a
distinguished Justice of the Supreme Court,
who was supposed to take no interest in poll
tics, rushed into the consultation room off the
court room and announced the decision that
that they had reversed the decision of the
Court below in regard to the Act of the Legis-
lature in reference to the October election, and
that they were therefore to have an election in
October. This distinguished Judge said to
some OF his friends: "Tell it to the bows. I
think they would like to hear that we are 60
ing to have an election in October" And they
had 1t. Applause.
Indiana was really, suppose, Democr attic
state 1t had been put down on the books al
ways as a State that might be carried by close
and perfect organization. and a great deal of
- Laughsef.l ! see the reporters are pr es-
eEt, therefore will simply say that everybody
showed great deal of interest on the occasion
and distributed tracts and political documents
all through the State. The Republicans of In
diana have always said: "We have the best
organization we ever had, and if we lrve the
sinews OF war we will get through a. right;'
llaughterl but somehow or other the State al
ways turned up on the other side In addition
to that the candidate for the ice-Presidency
came from that State-I do not mean the Re-
publican candidate-where he came from is a
point that yet remains to be settled. Laugh
ter. We expected that the Democratic candi-
date for the Vice-Presidency would contribute
the sinews of war for Indiana and to come in
with such contribution in this business is to
settle the whole question; but in the face of
that precedent which johnson would establish,
and the danger that the Vice-Presdent would
interfere to carry our State, contributing his
share to the election, my friend here on the
right-he was on the right this moment but
he has made use of his campaign tactics of ap-
pearlng and disappearing at unexpected times,
and he is not here now-asked to go and lead
that forlorn hope, and undertake the duty of
turning the flank of the enemy. So he came
down one day to the committee room in Fifth
avenue, and said that he was going to leave us
for some days; that the National Republican
Committee were going to establish branch
ofhce out in Indiana. Laughter. He said to
me: General, if 1 don't succeed 1 shall nev-
er come back here again. And then thought
for moment, and it struck me that he had
great ranch out in New Mexico; that like
wise general he had secured his lines of re-
treat, and that if he failed in his endeavors he
would go out to that ranch Laughter |
was not certain then about what should do.
l shook him warmly by the hand and said:
Good bye; we shall soon see you back again.
! knew, however, that if he didn't succeed in
Indiana, it would be bad job for me in New
York, and said to him: "Senator, if you 90
to that ranch, will there be room enough
there for me?' [Great laughter.]
Well, we went out there, and a short time
afterward we had the news from the first elec-
tlon-we had news from Maine. You recollect
the old song about Maine having gone "Hell
bent for Governor Kent" Mr.. Acton will re-
member it. lLaughter,] Well, she went then
"Hell bent," but not for Governor Kent.
[Laughter.l We consoled ourselves, however,
by saying. that it was blessing in disguise
llaughterl, and think it was blessing in dis
guise [Applause.] Think Mr.. Dorsey would
appreciate that fact, and great many gentle
men weuld SO look upon it, for it nerved us all
up and enthused us to renewed efforts; and, it
may be, had we not met with that obstacle we
would not have arrived at this result
Mr.. Cannon heard the news from Maine. He
left his farm in the North, and came down to
the city. He spent his afternoons in Wall
street and his evenings in the club, and he
with others took certain measures, which /
must say, in the end were very effectual, not
only as to Indiana, but afterward as to New /
York. [App.ause.l 1t may have been that it
distinguished Senator from that State, Mr..
Blaine, and Gov. Jewell, may have thought
that 1t was such, or that it was well ar
ranged proceeding. If it was arranged from
the beginning it was exceedingly well done;
and it did have good effect, for the people
were brought right face to face with the fact
that II we lost Indiana and then New York we
would be undone. But seriously, that did
create great awakening of public interest. 1t
Is very well now to talk of it as blessing in
Maine was such to the Republican party. In
stead OF proving damper and an obstacle in
the way OF success in Indiana, as Mr.. Dorsey
said to you, it was great help and great aid.
The gentlemen in New York stood nobly be-
hind the National Committee and responded
actively and enthusiastically, but Mr.. Dorsey,
with his power for organization, his tireless
energy his wonderful courage and his cool
head, was able to accomplish the result which
he did in Indiana. and that result more than
can party. [Applause] And though New
York had for years been considered doubtful
State, it was more Democratic than Republi-
can; but repeat, that if one thing more than
another secured our success in New York, it
was the moral effect and support given to our
cause by our success in Indiana, which was
more largely due to Senator Dorsey than to any
one else. Applause But after this rambling
speech come back to the point set out from,
and to say that it gives me great pleasure to be
here to indorse with all my heart everything
that has been said to his credit; and wish
him long life and prosperity, and pledge to
MN my Warmest friendship and support