The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-21
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
Arthur, Gresham, Harrison, "Cump" and
John Sherman-The Vice Presidency.
Washington Letter in New York Times.

1t seems to be admitted that Judge Gresham
will be the residuary legatee of President Ar
thur, in the event of his candidacy proving
hopeless. In the Judgment Of the President
this is remote contingency. He has too great
confidence in his ability as a politician, and too
much faith in his popularity to harbor serious
doubt of success at Chicago. He knows the
strength of the opposition He appreciates the
capacity of the men who are marshaling the
forces against him. He is a COOL calculating
tactician. No one understands better than he
does the value Of accurate information as to
the movements of his enemies. The army of
federal Office holders can be measureably de
pended upon to supply this intelligence. As a
rule the place-holders can be depended upon
for this important work They know that if
they are derectthe place-seekers will make their
shortcomings known in the right quarter
!" As executive officer General
Gresham is on a level with the average Post
maste"general. He has firmness and mental
grasp but does not master details. He will de-
pend upon his subordinates for his information.
He deserves well for the fight he has made on
the Louisiana Lottery Company, but he is not
sufficiently aggressive to secure comprehensive
legislation against that monstrous evil He
contents himself with indicating the necessity
for repressive laws, and leaves the rest to Con
confined to his annual report II NAV be posi-
bic that the political eXiSencies did not permit
further agitation of the subject by the execu-
tive department Mr. Gresham is loyal to his
chief, and will respect his wishes even in mat
tiers of this kind The cautious treatment Of the
subject Of railway mail service is probably die
tated by like considerations. The political in
fuence of the Postoffice Department will be ex-
erted to the fullest extent with Gresham's ap-
proval and assistance, for the President. Per
sonally Judge Gresham has not as large fol
loving III Indiana as Senator Harrison, but he is
quite as strong with the masses of the party.
Ben Harrison OF course considers himself a
possible candidate. He has decided ability He
would make safe but not brilliant President.
He would not venture any new departure,
but would give the country a conservative ad-
ministration. The Indiana politicians occupy
an Independent position in the administration
and anti-administraton forces. They are looking
ont for themselves. They encourage both sides
n little and talk a great deal about compromise
candidates. They have given good deal of en-
courag cement to the candidacy of General Sher-
man. There is nothing very serious in this. 1t
is possible that General Sherman might be NOM
mated at Chicago. 1t is the unexpected that
most frequently happens at political conven-
tons But the Republican party is not likely to
take as candidate man whose wife is prose-
lyting Roman Catholic and whose son is a Jesuit
priest. General Sherman has never had any
positive religious convictions and rather inclines
to intdelity but he will, nevertheless, die in the
toni At any rate his son is not only Jesuit
priest, but has delivered lecture in defense of
the Spanish lnquisition and eulogistic of
Torquemada! l could never subscribe to the
Jewish doctrine that the sins of the father are
visited upon the children, and, of course, could
not approve the absurd notion of holding the
father responsible for the mental alterations of
the son. but the Protestant people of this coun-
try viii not consent to the White House being
made the headquarters of Jesuit influence
Indiana Republicans, since the death of Oliver
p. Morton, have been great admirers of Blaine.
The Maine statesman still has large following
of Hoosiers. There have always been good rela-
tons between Senator Harrison and Blaine.
Logan has many active partisans among the ex-
soldiers of Indiana, and Judge Gresham weak
ened his strength by the removal of Paul Van
dervoort commander of the Grand Army of the
Republic. | do not doubt that he had sufficient
cause for the removal, and it is cause for con
graduation that an executive officer had the
courage to make the removal, notwithstanding the
political power behind the incumbent. 1t is to
the credit of President Arthur that he stood by
Postmaster general Gresham.
If John Sherman could be nominated he would
make formidable candidate He would not ex-
cite the enthusiasm that Blaine or Logan would,
but he would have the earnest support and ma
terial assistance of the business interests. There
are few characters in American history about
whose early lives cluster more romance than is
to be found in connection with the boyhood and
youth of John and William Tecumseh Sherman.
early inspired with an ambition to achieve great
ness. They struggled with poverty and self sacri.
ficingly assisted one another Their affection
for each other is more than brotherly. John
Sherman has made record as statesman which
he may well be proud of. 1t is notperfect. Where
is there one in which flaws cannot be foundl For
tuitous circumstances helped John Sherman to
round out his record as a inancier by placing
him at the head of the Treasury Department at
an era of wonderful prosperity. But the accom-
Mi Shl 11nlf n "a
ISOLATED from his name. The debates Of the
Senate on finacnal subjects attest the ability of
Mr. Sherman. His speeches on the National
Bank will show research, capacity for debate,
and comprehensive reasoning powers. It>s
true that he did not take the initiative in the
financial legislation of the war period. Mr..
Spaulding. Of New York was the author of
the legaltender act, and the honor of devils
ing the National Bank act must be divided
between Salmon P Chase and Samuel Cooper
But John Sherman contributed not little to the
enactment of both measures, and many of the
best features of the last law were suggested by
him. His record on financial subjects may be
carped at, and portions of it may be faulty, but
his fame as financier is more likely to increase
than to decrease in coming years As a man.
John Sherman is cold and selfish. He will never
excite popular enthusiasm. The great fortune
he has acquired while in public life will always
subject him to suspicious. Perhaps they are un-
deserved. 1t is not altogether fair to compare
in this particular the records of public men of
the present era with those of the early days of
the republic
There are quite a number of aspirants for the
vice presidency. There are several in the Sen
ate. John F. Miller, of California, thinks he
would add strength to the Republican ticket
He could draw his check for a round sum- He
was good soldier, and won distinction at Stone
River and Nashville. He is fair lawyer. He
made his money out of the Alaska Commercial
Company. He has always been a friend and adj
mirer of Blaine. The California delegation will
fa, AoI,o al, C
being running mate to Arthur before the late
election in Virginia. Even if he had held his
State with the assistance of the administration,
it would have been asking little too much of
the Republican party to make an ex-Confederate
General and Repudiationist second on its ma
tional ticket Gen. Hawley would add positive
strength to the presidential ticket, and if the
candidate comes from the West he is likely to
hoe oo,1A 1Nla