The Indianapolis journal., 1885-12-04

THE Journal has no disposition to multiply
words with any Of its contemporaries relative
to its treatment of the memory Of the late
Vice-president. It is easy to understand how
feeling of indignation is likely to take posses
sion Of such as have directly suffered from
acts of the Democratic party, and the South
ern wing of it in particular. But just now is
not good time, nor decent time, to enter
into these questions The Republican party,
we trust, will ever continue to be too honor
able to assail any dead mans memory, and es-
pecially at a time when his remains are still
lying in his home unless challenged to do so.
The Journal has thus been dared by thought
less organ Of the Democratic party,
but has no desire to make re-
ply. Mr.. Hendricks's political record
will 60 into history just as he wrote it in the
years that he was public man and an official
or legislator. Flattery now will not change
the dotting of an 'i" or the crossing of 't."
The charity that has so embellished human
nature during the last past week will neither
make nor unmake the record of the man who
sleeps at Crown Hill. The Journal honored
him, so far as it consistently could, for the
reason that the American people had honored
him. The Journal has such respect for this
Republic that it feels impelled to offer all
possible respect to its officials, who, whether
we will or not must stand as exponents of
the Nations dignity and honor. The
loss that impartial citizens symbolized
by draping their places of business,
and particularly in the exercises attendant
upon the burial of the Vice-president, was the
loss Of Mr.. Hendricks as the second man Of
this Republic, and not as the United States
senator of 1868. Had he died then, or at the
close Of his senatorial term, or at any other
time than he did, he might or might not have
been loss to the loyal people of this country.
This is no time to discuss that question. We
are quite certain, however, that such Repub-
licans as were generous enough to participate
burial of the Vice president have no cause
for regret or apology. We think it a very
proper and laudable thing to clothe ones SEN
timents with charity toward the dying and
dead, at least until the shadow of death shall
have been dissipated by the lapse of time. If
you cannot say anything good, it is noble to
say nothing But if you can say any thing good
it is honorable to say it., while the bitter and
the discreditable may be ignored. To say
that man is conspicuous among his fellows
is not unbounded praise. To say that he was
honest may leave great deal unsaid. To say
that he was kind and courteous gentleman,
good neighbor and an exemplary husband
and friend, is not to praise him as politician.
The trouble, We apprehend, with the few who
do not agree with the Journal or think they
do not, is in careless reading of the Journals
utterances. 1t would pay such to go back and
read its leading editorial Of Sunday last in
particular, and read it critically Our news
columns reflect the events of the day. The
Journal has ever kept ahead of the newspaper
procession in Indiana, and means to keep
there in the future. Our reports were the
fullest and best made of the death and burial
of the Vice-president, and it's editorial COM
ments were in harmony with the general and
enlightened public sentiment The Journal
has no apologies to offer nor amendments TO
make.