The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-25
INDIANA AND TIE PRESIDENCY,
A Canvass of the State with Reference to the
Character of the Republican Nominee.
Special to the New York Times.

Special to the New York Times.
A pretty thorough canvass of presidential
preferences has been made during the past weeks
in the interest of no candidate and embracing
not only the leading workers of the party, but
the substantial, quiet business men Of the State.
The canvass has been directed more toward the
character of the nominee that should be than
his name. Without question Mr. Blaine still
leads largely among Indiana Republicans, but
the expression for him is almost uniformly on
first impulses because of his brilliancy his abil
ity on the stump and in Congress to hold his
own his ',jingoism,r to use an expression now
thoroughly understood, and largely because he
seems to stand as the representative Of General
Garfield, who was beloved by the party in Indi-
ana deeply and fervently. Mr.. Blaines candi-
dacy would be hailed with enthusiasm, and
would wake up the echoes, at least for time.
When other names are suggested that of Mr..
Lincoln is very frequently heard. lie repre-
sents a sentiment that springs spontaneously to
Republicans and upon the current of that sen
| ttment he seems to ride with much strength.
But when the question is pushed beyond the
domain of enthusiasm and sentiment the sober
second thought of business men and of careful,
prudent politicians who drop their plummet into
the undercurrents, the expressions of choice
take in such men as Mr. Edmunds and Mr. Sher-
man, and not a few, President Arthur for the
negative qualities of his administration, and be
cause the business and industrial interests OF
the nation have not been disturbed by any sort
of a brilliant policy" foreign or domestic.
II preferences run upon military lines General
Logan is the first name heard. He Is popular
with the Republicans of Indiana. who remember
his soldierly record, and also his repeated serv-
ices in close campaigns in this State. There are
these three elements at work: Enthusiasm and
sentiment, conservative business thought, and
military halo. Each has its man, but the reflect
q Is FOR n ms IN m
possible And so Indiana Republicans largely,
if not unanimously, feel that one of their lead
ing men presents the broadest and best grounds
upon which compromise can be reached, ana
| compromise that would not give the party
secOnd-rate candidate, but first rate one in all
the qualities which seem to be demanded of the
Republican nominee.
In all the canvass the shadow of the man on
horseback protrudes, in the shape of General
Sherman Enthusiasm and military glory com
erratic temperament are met and silenced with
the statement that his brother John will take
care of all that. With Sherman is coupled the
name of Governor Porter whose popularity in
this State is such as to render it quite certain
that with his name on the ticket the electoral
vote of Indiana would not be in doubt. The
same is true, of course. should Indiana be given
the head of the ticket. There are not a few peO-
pie. and they are found in the quiet business
classes, who favor Grant as the candidate. be
lieving that he combines the qualities so much
to be desired in a President of frmneSS and con
servatism. But a careful canvass of the senti-
ment of Indiana not as to Names but character,
shows that stability, soundness. and conServa-
tsm are the qualities desired, especially if they
can be found combined with a record which will
touch sentiment and evoke enthusiasm. In the
search for such man Indiana Republicans will
go to Chicago ready to unite with their associates
from other States, and the choice when made
will be the choice of Indiana, without dissension
or back biting.