The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-26

little of it: but it is said by those who remember
his congressional candidates. that he had much
sledge-hammer force and impetuosity.
His political status is somewhat difficult OF
definition. He could not as judge httmgly
take active part in politics and did not but the
independence of his character enabled one to
find where he was if he has sought Whether
he acquiesced in the condition OF things from
1872 to 1876 cannot be so clearly stated as can be
the fact that he "Bristow man in 1876.
Whether this sprang from dissatisfaction with
the status, opposition to third term, personal
sympathy with BPistow or official sympathy
with his efforts to smash the ''whisky ring"
some of the cases sprngine from which We're
tried in Greshams court, cannot well be sald,
and. indeed, may easily be left unsaid. Sufhce
the fact he wanted to see Bristow nominated for
President in 1876
About two years later he was the orator upon
the occasion of Grand Army reunion at Chicago
He delivered very good Grafton, and one that
was filled with much per-fervid eulogy of Grant
who was about that time making his world
famous tramp for the third term. The speech
ranged Judge Gresham in the ranks of the third
termers Since then beyond quiet and short
lived effort for the senatorship IN 1851 Judge
Gresham was absorbed in his judicial duties I'M
til President Arthur made him Postmaster-gen-
eral
Mr. Gresham is man of great force of char
acter, much aggresslveness and push Ills tenn
permanent is rather hot than cool He has tirm
grip, and is inclined to rule. He himself is ruled
much by his impulses. He is erratlc, and takes
frequent counsel of his feelings rather than his
judgment Manifestly, such a man makes enc
mics; manifestly, also, he makes friends Mr.
Gresham has many of both, but this must be
understood rather in private than in a pubic
way for Mr. Gresham's public life has consisted
of fourteen years in "A courtroom.
This leads naturally to a consideration of his
party following in this State. This can be truth
fully described after the manner of the famous
essay on snakes in Ireland: ''rhere are no nakes
i'll Ireland" l do not mean that General Gresham
has no adherents in politics. and even hangers
on, for any man in Office has these; but Judge
from the foregoing statement what opportunity
he has had to create a following He has his
warm friends and benefciaries who work for his
political preference they did in the case OF
the senatorship two years ago. but that EPISODE
was ''as brief as womans love- and can find
no evidence that it ever got beyond the Generals
personal and official adherents to become any
leaven or promoting force in the party Were he
to be nominated for the presidency he would, IN
my opinion. have no more influence upon the
party vote in Indiana than any man nominated
from some other State, beyond the matter OF
State pride. He has not been factor in the strug
giles and triumphs and defeats of the Republic
ans of Indiana, and hence would not have the
weight and force of such factor which calls
upon the workers in the party all over the
State with personal influence that puts per
sonal zeal into their efforts.
In person General Gresham is man OF SPLEEN
did appearance. The full height in stature,
broad, but spare and angular, masculine IN his
impressions A 'shock" head of silver-gray hair.
high forehead heavy, dark eyebrows, piercing
black eyes, "a square nose, which protrudes from
his face rather than being graded up by his
cheeks which are rather fiat, the whole bearing
strongly marked lines. He has square, strong
jaw, and his face is covered with shortish iron
gray whiskers. He walks with good deal of
stride, and those who know he has been wounded
can see it in a limp, although his movements,
which are angular, rather tend to conceal it
His domestic relations are lovely. There are
two children, Mr. Otto and Miss Kate Gresham.
During their residence here the Greshams with
a socia position of the very best, lived rather
quietly in their way. ......... -..s.