The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-08
TOPICS AT WASHINGTON.
General Sherman's Presidential Boom
and Its Rapid Growth.
A Newspaper Statistician's Figures on the
Financial Standing of Southern Mem
bers of the Senate.
A GROWING BOOM.

A Summary of General Sherman's Qualities
as a Presidential Candidate.
Washington Letter in Cleveland Herald.
The retirement of General Sherman has
given new impetus to his boom" for 1884.
Perhaps it is scarcely correct to call it his
boom, for there is no reason to doubt the
entire sincerity of his declarations that he is
not and will not be a candidate for President.
But it bids fair to be, all the same such
boom as has not heen seen in the political
campaigns of this country for many year.
1 believe "Uncle Billy is to-day first in the
hearts of his countrymen," only excepting
some of our Democratic friends, who foresee
trouble enough should he be, after all, the
Republican standard bearer next year. They
recognize the fact that he would prove no
less formidable antagonist III peace than in
war. General Sherman has wisely kept aloof
from politics. His record as a military COM
Inander during the war, and as the head of
the army during the past fifteen years, is
absolutely uuassailable. No explanation or
apologies would have to be made for him.
It would not be necessary for the Republican
campaign orator to fortify himself with pub
lie documents and files of the Congressional
Record in order to meet the charges of the
enemy. In fact his speech could be COM
at himl"
The Generals disinclination to enter the
political field at his time of life is not a
matter OF surprise. After discharging so
faithfully and we'll the arduous duties
and responsibilities of the past twenty
two years having now, at the age of
sixty-four, sheathed his Sword, It is
not strange that he should desire to
spend his declining years in that peace
and quiet which he has so richly earned He
is not old. None of the infrmities Of age
have yet dared to assail him. Physically and
mentally he is still the personifcaton of
manly vigor. If the feeling toward him that
exists here be true index, the CALI for
him next year will be a very loud one. And
there will be great rejoicing if he shall say,
with Samuel, "Here am lp' Perhaps | ought
to explain that do not refer to Samuel J.
Tlden, although the comparison would lose
none of its force if the Sage OF Gramercy Park
were substituted for the child Samuel of old
who thus made answer to the Prophet Eli.
Indeed, the Here am p of the modern
Samuel might possibly indicate that he and
the ancient Samuel are identical, to which
hypothesis some color of truth is given by
the popular traditions concerning his great
age.
What a campaign for "the boys' it would
be! In every procession "Sherman's bum
mers' would be most prominent with all
their grotesque features. Thousands would
be in the ranks of the torchbearers. shouting
themselves hoarse for Uncle Billy" who
followed him from Atlanta to the sea- Most
OF them are getting gray-headed, but in such
a campaign they would renew their youth,
and to the inspiring music of Marching
Through Georgia. they would keep step
with the same gallant tread that carried
them to the end OF the war. As the small
boy of the period would express it. it would
be "picnic'' for the old soldiers The boom
is on, and you can't stop it.