The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-11-12

readers oy wire, daily, the proceedings Oh
the unconditional Conventions. The intensity
of the campaign which was to follow was
foresnadowed by the fervid enthusiasm
which CHARACTERIZED the two nominating
assemblies. The zeal with which each candi-
date would be supported was evidenced by
the Zest of the championship each received
in his party convention from large follow
ing. Mr.. Blaine had in the hall, as since in
the field, a snowy support. He conducted
his forces met to nominate him just as he
.afterward conducted his campaign. He sat
at the Eastern end of a wire which was
almost infinitely telling him the transpir-
ings in the great Exposition Hall. His
lieutenants, Steve Elkins and William
Walter Phelps, had hourly the benefit of his
suggestions His methods were dashing-
rust such as were calculated to win applause
from the mercurial thousands of spectators
who attended out of fondness for sensation.
1t did not take long tor the Blaine boys to
capture the shouts of the shouters, nor
much longer, then, to corral the weak
minded delegates from the South who by
pledge belonged to Arthur. A free use OF
money among these INDECENT politicians
with certain trading, as with Powell Clay
Eon, consummated the Blaine triumph.
The helmet and the plume, the dazzling
parade and the open purse we're features OF
the Blaine nomination as, later, of the Blaine
canvass.
Parallel with the Blaine, in the greater
strength and better organized forces, was the
Cleveland movement in the Democratic Con-
q o,1lar aof of ma
those who met to honor the New York Gov
ernor-and under a leader whose msgnih-
cent diplomacy hedged in his favorlte, as
with wall, from his enemies while chal-
longing universal admiration from every
one OF the thousands of on-looksrs. II
Grover Cleveland was without statesman's
record the impression became current
that the candidate of such a
management as Daniel Manning
headed must be strong man. The Cleve-
land ship was on anything than smooth
sea for the three first days of the lyention.
There were more distinguished Democrats
than Mr. Cleveland put forward by earnest
friends Thomas F. Bayard had q. devoted
constituency. Sam Rsndalls services to the
party commended him strongly. Allen G.
Thurman lowered like Colossus in states
manship eyer the Buffalo fedgeling. The
'Cock.eyed Son of Destiny" from Massa-
chusetts was in torpedo boat demanding
the prize or threatening to blow up the feet
Andlast, but not least, in popularity or deserts
vas our own hero of forty years fighting for
democratic principles, Joe Mcdonald, than
whom none was more worthy the great
hnor to be bestowed. 1 was heart and soul
in flavor Of Mcdonald. knew him the peer
of any in broad craftsmanship and intel
lectual proves, and in personal character
to be every inch a man." And L
dgress Just here to say that Sem
ator McDonald's earnest work through
put the campaign has proven how superior
be is TO any petty jealousy such
As the Republicans undertook to fire him
With, and that above whatever personal
considerations he is Democrat ard q
patriot But to return to Dan Manning and
ais msn.
To convince the friends OF these several
distinguished candidates that Grover Cleve-
and was more available than either of
heirs snI draw them to his support ap-
pearsd in the outset to be onero under
laking. To begin with there was strong
sentiment against giving the nomination to
any Eastern man. Four times successfully
he experiment had been tried, and four
times We had failed to seat President-let
he fifth trial be made with Western man,
vas argued. Mr.. Clsveland's inexperience
N National affairs was also urged by the fol-
overs Of the older leaders. Many, too,
leared that the New Yorker was not so ram
pageOus partisan as shou d administer the
Ifairs at Washington. But for all these
,bjectors Mr.. Manning and his very able
soadjutor, John R. Fellows, had unqualified
assurances, within and without the Conven-
ion Hall, that Grover Cleveland was all in
sbility, craftsmanship, popularity and De.
mocracy that New York Democrats could
1esire, and these assurances were made in so
manly way that opposition was neutralized
md, finally, won into support and Grover
Cleveland made the banner-bearer of the
party.
But the opposition each candidate was to
meet was also prefgured in the conventions.
Ehe head and front of what was to be the In
dependent Republican revolt was George
William Curtis, editor of Hsrper's Weekly.
5y rising and begging the
convention to permit the Tsmmany Senator
full opportunity to say his say, he dealt that
opposition more crushing blow than any
resistance he might have offered to Gra1y's
speaking could have done. For weeks after
the nomination Tammany, as an organiz-
alton, was an uncertain quantity in the
tight. 1 believe that in the end John Kelly
gave Cleveland and Hendricks a sincere
support But Grady maintained his
Findictive opposition, which was more from
personal spleen than patriotic sentiment.
Governor Cleveland had asked for Grady's
1efta at the polls when the latter was a can
didale for reelection to the State Senate. 1t
vas this that had ruffled the the testy young
fellows feathers There is no doubt but that
Srady led a considerable number of Tan
many braves to knife the Governor on elec-
ion day. Bot for this detection
Sew York City would have given
larger plurality by several thousand to
Cleveland and Hendricks, aud the smallness
IF the plurality OF the Democratic ticket in
he State would not now be vexing the Re-
publican managers with the desperate hope of
Mr.. Micawber that something might turn
tp."
Go with me briefly into review of both