The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-07
INDIANA IN THE CABINET.
Relations of tue New Postmaster-Gen.
eral with State Politics..
Incidents of General Gresham's Career
Some of His Personal Traits-His
Home Life-Press Comment.
Special to New York Tribune.

Special to New York Tribune.
There is some talk to the effect that Judge
Gresham's appointment will not be regarded
with unalloyed satisfaction by Senator Har-
rison, who was his successful competitor in
the last senatorial contest, but there is no
reason to believe that General Harrison will
throw any difficulties in the way. The
trouble between Judge Gresham and the
popular Indiana representative, General
Browne, is of a personal nature, and at one
time the latter was extremely bitter, believ-
ing that he had been deeply wronged.
While the new Postmaster-general will thus
go into Office without the most perfect good
will of some OF his party associates in lndi-
ana, there is probably not one among them
who will not concede his high ability and
irreproachable integrity. The unfriendli-
ness toward him, which finally prevented
his selection as a member of President Gar
fields cabinet, is probably less active and
pronounced now than it was two years ago.
Personal Incidents of General Gresham.
Richmond Palladium.
1t is stated, with great probability, that
one of the causes for General Grants liking
for General Gresham was an occurrence
which happened while the latter was in a
SuDOfQlnale command near NlckSDurR. a
trader, it appears, approached General Gresh-
am and attem pied to bride him to allow cot
ton to go through the lines. General Gresh-
am promptly and Indignantly kicked the
would-be briber out of his tent. There is
another incident, doubtless true, which
shows the indomitable courage and deter
mination of our distinguished citizen: Along
about 1866 or 1868 he was the Republican
nominee for Congress in the Second district,
where the Democratic majority was 1000 or
5000. Dubois county, Democratic by
1000 or $500, was then, as it has been ever
since, very intolerant of Republicans. On
many occasions Republican canvassers and
speakers have been maltreated in certain To-
c~alities there, and almost mobbed. General
Gresham was announced to speak at Jasper,
the county seat, and threats were made that
he would not be allowed to do so. At the
time appointed he took the stand in the
courthouse, which was filled with an I'M
friendly crowd, and, laying a pistol before
him, announced that he intended to address
the audience, and didn't propose to be inter
rupted, and that anybody who made any hos
tile demonstration would do so at his peril.
1t is needless to say that he was listened to
with fear and respect, if not with approba-
ton.
Washington Special to Chicago Tribune.
what are Gresham's personal traits2' 1
asked of Colonel Moulton, of Cincinnati.
Personally, he is everywhere respected;
his home life has always been a source
of great pleasure to Judge Gresh-
am, and he drew around him q circle of
refined, cultivated and intellectual men and
women, which made his home one of The
most enjoyable | ever knew. He is not a
rich man, and there is none of that snobbish-
ness or arrogance about his home which
wealth so often brings; butJudge Gresham is
personally so well liked, and his family are
SO interesting, hat he has by common cor
sent established one of the most charming
family circles in indianapolis. L remember
one little instance connected with Judge
Gresham, which illustrates one phase of his
character very well. When the war broke
out Gresham's regiment, the Thirty-second
Indiana, | believe. was sent to the front
under General Sherman, and when the
young Colonel went to General Sherman
to report for duty, Sherman rather bluntly
ordered him to post a line of pickets at the
front, somewhere in Kentucky, I think.
"'But l am just from my law office, and
/ do not know anything about posting
picket lines, General. Had you better not
intrust that to some one with more expert
ence?'
"'You say you don't know how to post
picketsY growled Sherman. Well, sir, you
are the first new colonel have seen who did
not know all about the entire cam paign.
There is some hope for you.'"
Colonel Moulton added that among the
ex-soldier element Gresham's appointment
WOulu meet with great IaVOr. lie is q mem
Der of the Society OF the Army of the Ten
nessee.
Special to Courier-Journal.
Some Mississippi and Louisiana people
here, who remember the new Postmaster
general when he was in command of troops
stationed at Natchez, Miss, during the war,
speak of him in very complimentary terms.
1t seems that while at Natchez, General
Gresham was taken sick with malarial fever,
and went over in Tensas parish to the resi-
dence of Halter Mutt, who was a prominent
planter, and remained there until his re-
covery. The members of Mr.. Nutt's family
became warmly attached to him, and one of
them, in speaking of him to-day, said he pos
sessed qualities that commanded their re-
spect and won their friendship.