The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-28
A DlsGRAGEFUL EPISODE.
Kentucky Bourbons DishOnor Themselves in
all Effort to Insult Mr.. Blaine,

all Effort to Insult Mr.. Blaine.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
LOUISVILLE, July 26-Some oficious Demo
Gratis, in the usual intemperance of Southern
rebel Democratic party zeal, have succeeded in
disgracing Kentucky to-day, by an act which
will bring the blush of modification to the face
of every kentuckian who understands it. and
throws stain upon the fame of Kentucky hos
pitalty and seriously threatens the prosperity Of
Louisyilles Great Southern Exposition.
The president and directors of the Southern
at the time of Mr. Blaines nomination, CON
ceived the plan of inviting both Of the Presden-
tial candidates to the Exposition. The plan was
wholly free from any political purpose. 1t was
evident that great throng would come, and
this would benefit Louisville and the EXPOSE
ton. 1t was evident that it would not do for
both to come at once, as this would give oppor-
tunty for rivalry of the partisans and for possible
unpleasant occurrences, and neither gentleman
would be willing to be party to any scramble
of the kind. Separate visits, also, would give
two crowds instead of one, each about as large
as the crowd which would come to see both cam
didates. Then, in deciding which should be in
vited first, the impulse Of Kentucky hospitality
and courtesy in this uon-political matter was to
give the post of honor to the political opponent,
especially as the fact of the Republican nomina-
ton being first made would make the prior inyi-
tation of the Democratic nominee almost dis
courtesy to Mr.. Blaine.
A committee was appointed to write to Mr..
Blaine and see whether he would entertain the
inv and thap 70 10 10 4ha
cratic nominee Letters were also written Mr.
Blaine by Col Bennett H. Young, president Of
the exposition, formal invitation from the
board Of directors of the Southern EXPOSE
ton, another from the Board of Trade,
which was telegraphed, a letter from
Hon. Charles D. Jacob, mayor of Louisville
letter from Mr. W. N Haldeman, president and
chief owner of the Courier-Journal a letter
from Mr. Emmett Logan, editor of the Louis
vile Times; petition signed by Mr. John M.
Robinson, Hon. E. D. Standiford N. Bloom,
Charles H. Mantle, Edward Wilder, j. H. Lin.
derberger j. M. Fetter, Charles H. Petit j. b
Wilder, Henry G. Warren, Colonel John H
feathers, H. P. Farwood, B. N. Creel, ]. B.
Gathrigal W. j. Duncan, A. Rassinier, j. r.
Middleton, G. p Theobald, Jacob Krieger J. B.
McFeran, M. B. Belknap, W. H. Thomas, and
Henry 7. jefferson, all leading men here and all
but two or three of them Democrats. The ink
was hardly dry on these letters until one of the
signers of the petition, a leading merchant, get
ting too much aboard at dinner. relapsed
into his normal condition Of semi-barbarous
Kentucky horror of anything not Bourbon, and
in the face of his own invitation, denounced the
invitation of Mr.. Blaine which he had helped
make, as undemocratic, and his language was
published in the Courier-Journal without his
name.
This was very notifying to the Kentucky
gentlemen who had given the invitation and
they were given to understand that the Courier
journal would, on Wednesday, publish an edi-
torial showing all of the facts. 1t was not
done, however, and this morning the Courier
Journal is headed with the following telegram
from Henry Watterson:
VIRGINIA BEACH, July 25.-I have seen in the
CourerJo urnal of the 2Sd statement that the
ayers of the Exposition have invited Mr.. Blaine to
open the ceremonies of great commercial and in
dustrial enterprise officially.
As a citizen, and as Democrat, wish to enter my
earnest protest against this extraordinary proceeding
1t is affront to every Democrat in Louisville in
Kentucky and in the United States.
It will prove fatal blow at the Exposition. That
the representatives Of party organization, in the
thick Of hot party fight should be selected for such
purpose, Will De ana ought TO De resented by right
thinking people of every shade of political opinion;
and, for my own part, cannot repress this prompt
expression Of sense of indignation and outrage,
HENRY WATTERsON.
In view of the circumstances, barbarous Bour.
bon stupidity never did thing which caused
deeper shame to the best and most honorable
and gentlemanly men of Kentucky. OF course
no Republican could have regarded Mr.. Blaines
opening the exposition as of political signif-
canoe. IF he had consented to come, it would
have been very great courtesy, and would have
done Kentucky and Louisville very great good
1t is impossible that it could prejudice either,
and it hardly seems possible that the most Bit
ter Bourbon could fear it would make Kentucky
Republican, but one of two things is true, viz;
Either they were apprehensive Of this, or the
old war bitterness is so great that the visit Of
Mr.. Blaine would be painful to the Bourbons
who are constantly crying out, and instigating
Northern dudes to cry out, that the war is over
What They Aim AT.
Pittsburg Chronicle