The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-22
MR.. BEECHER ON POLITICS..
His Idea of a Popular Candidate for the Pres
idency-General Sherman's Chances.
New York Special.

New York Special.
'What is your opinion as to the probable Re
publican candidate from among those who have
been named!"
ooh, you can't tell. I think that, all things
considered, on an abstract ground, there is no
man who would make an ADLER President than
John Sherman. But John Sherman can't be
elected"
"Why4"
'Folks won't vote for him; that's the princi-
pal reason. The next man, to my mind, that
is prominently before the public, is Sen
ator Edmunds, in every way an admir-
able candidate, but L think he labors
under the same difficulty. He would not excite
the sympathies of the average common people.
What 1 mean is that the man to whom the peo-
pie take is a genial man, a man who has a great
deal of fellow feeling, who has good nature as
well as ability, who can tell a good story and
who is interested in any man, high or low, wher-
ever he meets him. Such q man is catching, the
people are interested in him, and, generally
speaking. such men have large trunks, are big
bellied and big chested, with a good deal of blood
and a well organized head on top. Mr.. Sherman
and Mr.. Edmunds have able heads with shad
bellies. They are not catching"
How about Blaine; doesn't he fill the bill|
81 doubt whether Mr.. Blaine has any such
following as your paper, in d quiet way, would
make it appear that he has. l think the nomi-
nation of Mr.. Blaine would detach thousands
and tens of thousands of Republican votes at
once
And President Arthur-how would he suit"
arthur would be my choice"
'Do you regard him as the most available
candidate?"
Il can't say anything about that. I am not in
a position to know. l simply say this, that if
the people were inclined to it | think Arthur
would make one of the wisest and best Presi-
dents we have had for a long time, and whether
he should be nominated is simply a practical
question"
"You haven't asked me about Lincoln, added
Mr.. Beecher. II think Lincoln would probably
be the adjunct on any ticket on which an East
ern man was the principal, and very possibly
would be the leading man in the West, if the
West gave up the principal. l doubt about
Logan. 1 don't think Logan is going to
be strong. | see some symptoms of General
Sherman's being persuaded by his wrath to &C
cept the nomination. General Sherman is a
loyal man in his wife's behalf, and if anybody
takes up the cudgel against her because she is d
Catholic, | think very likely he would be willing
to put her in the White House to v%indicate her;
] quite admire the loyalty of the old fellow. and
| think he would sweep the country from North
to South. Southern people love a good tighter"
There has been some little talk of nominal
ing General Grant"
Il have never heard a hint OF it, and supposed
that was a thing settled and gone by. OF course
if General Grant should be nominated and be-
come a candidate, l should take the greatest
pleasure in advocating him with all my heart"
You think there is no hope for the Democ-
racy}"
We'll, as I say responded Mr.. Beecher, hui
lnOrously, IF they let me put up their candi-
dates and lay out their campaign for them they
might have some shUw."
IF Speaker Carlisle were put up would he
be likely to pull throughl'
Il won't say anything more about it."