The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-17
YOUNG VOTERS,


Thousands of young voters in Indiana who
will cast their first presidential vote at the
coming election, are now considering into
which party their principles and their inter-
ests lead them. To such we desire to say
few words Those who have been thoroughly
educated and who are independent enough
not to vote the Democratic ticket simply be-
cause their fathers may have done So will
certainly be attracted by the glorious history
of the Republican party. But besides this
question of principle there is another of in
terest. The Republican party has always
been emphatically the party of young men.
Her State and national conventions show at
glance how strongly the new and young blood
is being infused into the veins of the party.
In this respect tho Democratic conventions
present startling contrast Many young
man on the threshold Of politics has proper
and laudable ambition in his heart to enter
public life. Does the Democratic party offer
him any inducement in this direc-
toni None whatever. The moss
back, the FOSSIL the barnacle,
and the Bourbon are peculiarly Democratic
productions. What Democratic convention
for the last twenty years has recognized the
ability of the young leaders in that party7 Is
there an office of financial profit to be filledG
The moss back must be the candidate to fill
it. Is there place simply honorary, like
chairman of meeting, the fossil must be
sought out and brought forward. Is there
position where executive ability is needed in
the conduct of a campaign, then the day of
the barnacle has come. Is there an official
honor to be conferred, which more particularly
belongs of right to young men, then for that
position, you can wager your soul, the Demo
cratic party will choose as candidate its old
est Bourbon-one who exhales the odors of the
whisky with the Bourbonism of his words.
These are solemn and exact truths.
Take recent instance of the practice of
the two parties Eugene H. Bundy and
James II. Willard entered political life to-
gether as pages in the House in 1861
They were both members of the last Senate,
and prominent in their respective parties. All
that was determined on in the Republican
caucus, Bundy supported with distinguished
ability All the revolutionary Legislation of
the Democratic party found in Willard bit
ter and INSCRIPTIONS advocate. Both are
peculiarly representative young men of their
several parties. Both were candidates for
Lieutenant governor before their respective
parties in State conventions. But how do
they fareY The Repubh can party gives rec
ignition to its young leader by a triumphant
nomination while Willard, although the choice
of a majority of the delegates in the Demo
cratic convention, is told to stand aside, that
he cannot even have ballot in the conven-
ton. He must get out at the dictate of Voor-
bees and other bosses, when the old barnacle
and Bourbon Manson begs the nomination,
and make that nomination unanimous even if
Manson has pledged his honor beforehand
not to accept the race. Instances like this
we might multiply ad infnitum. Does not
the Democratic party indeed present All unin-
viting field to the young voter who has any
ambition whatever
To the young voters we would say, if you
want fair treatment, come to the Republican
party. You will find it a party of your
equals, with like desires, like impulses, like
hopes. You will find young men recognized
for their worth and their ability. You will
find progressive thought progressive IDEAS
and a determined impulse for fair play to all.
You will find an opportunity for advancement
in party untainted by Bourbonism, and
which appreciates the efforts and abilities of
its young men and gives them full recogni-
ton.