The Indianapolis journal., 1885-12-07
LOOKING FOR A NEW LEADER
Democrats Casting About fora Successor
to Mr. Hendricks's Party Shoes.
The Relative Chances of Mcdonald, Voorhees,
and Gray Freely Discussed-A Feeling in
Favor of Judge Niblacks Elevation.

question that is troubling the politicians con-
siderably just now, and there is no probability
that it will be settled at any time in the near
future in way to give general satisfaction. The
names of four or FIVE of the prominent men
of the party are suggested by their particular
adherents whenever the question is asked, but
there is no unanimous choice. and it is doubtful
If popular sentiment can be drawn about any
man now prominent in the leadership of the
party, because there is strong factional feeling
augmented by the desire of the followers of the
different aspirants for the spois of independent
triumph, all of which is, of course, quite un-
reasonable and about i'm possible.
It is more generally conceded since the death
of Mr.. Hendricks than it was during his life that
his power in his party as a leader was supreme.
Ee was the captain Others, whose names were
associated with his in the leadership were but
Iieutenants He commanded the whole party,
while others commanded their factions. HE
did," said one Democrat yesterday, what no
other man in the party ever could do. and no one
now will be able to do. Whenever there was a
local factional fight that it was to
to settle, Mr.. Hendricks could always
bring the two sides together and the compro-
mise which he proposed would be accepted, be-
cause of the reverence which was felt by mem
bers of the party for tho man. If any one else
had ever attempted what he did, they would
have been told to keep hands off," Those who
listened only to the counsel of Mr. Hendricks,
and recognized him as the only man in the
party who had the right to command,
mournfully declare that his place not be filed,
that there is no one who has such abilities as he
possessed and that there is no one who holds such
close relation to the whole party as he did.
"Mr. Hendricks says Mr. James H. Rice, the
Auditor of State, "did not become the leader Of
She Democratic party under any such circum-
stances as exist at present and, therefore, man
pan in DAYS time step into the place
that he held. He came to the front at time
when there was no other man who could be
found that could lead the party to success, and
he had the ability to strengthen his influence and
power as his acquaintance extended He became
the leader because there was need for such a
man to hold together the party organization 1t is
the party in the minority that breeds leaders. A
party that is in the majority can take up
any man without helping or hurting the organ
ization. and without giving to him the power of
commander. He is dependent upon the party.
The party that is in the minority rallies around
and depends upon the man who is most capable
of leading it to success. Mr. Hendricks was at
the head of his party so long that people
came naturally to recognize him
the one whose opinion should be sought
doubt arose the inquiry was, What does Mr.
Hendricks say about thisP His leadership was
a growth of thirty Years. starting under condi-
lions that do not now exist and it is not possible
for any man of the present to take his place
LEADERS are not made systematically. except by
revolutions and spasmodic leaders not the
kind that maintain their power for any length
of time"
There are few who look at the matter so philo-
eophcally as Mr.. Rice. The usual remark is
that Mr.. Hendricks demise leaves Senator
Voorhees, ex-senator Misunderstanding
90 the preference of the speaker-as the party
leader. while others may be heard in
CURING why won't Gray make good
Niblackp In conversation which re-
lated to the political effect of the Vice.
presidents death, gentleman who has held a
close relation to the party management. said
yesterday: There is no man like Mr.. Hendricks,
but there are other men in the party who have
shown themselves to be trustworthy and capable
Of leadership. There's Voorhees,. Niblack. Nc
Donald and Gray any Of whom are good men.
Napoleon didn't win all his battles-some of his
most brilliant victories were won, when he was
not on the field of battle by his lieutenants.
party that can take up man SO little known to
the people as was Grover Cleveland, and in three
bounds make him sheriff, Governor President,
is not going to suffer for leadership. / am not
at all alarmed on that question. The leaders
will come to the front. They are all around US,
but they are obscure All they want is the OPP
portunty."
In most any other State all this talk about
power held by man who was the recognized
leader of party would be regarded as highly
nonsensical, and of no consequence; but the fact
that Indiana is doubtful! State, politically. for
which every national convention must make
bid. gives to the party's foremost man an
opportunity of some Importance. It
is this consideration, too, which
will make the position of recognized
leadership bone of more contention between
rival aspirants than it during the life of Mr.
Hendricks and the strife which seems inevi-
table, will result IN bitter factional spirit,
which, without captain, such as Mr. Hen
dricks was, to adjust the differences will cause
the disintegration of the party organization.
The man whose prestige of position and polit-
zeal record gives him the greatest claim On the
rights of leader is Senator Voorhees,, and
doubtless he has a stronger following than any
other man, but he has made the mistake of rec
,ousmending a number Of very unpopular ap-
PointmeEts. giving offense especially to the
soldiers, and, In consequence, he only
command a personal following such
his patronage can influence. He has
year affecting his relations with his party. His
most formidable antagonism will come from
Governor Gray, who is ambitious and is a bet
ter politician tLan the Senator
Governor Gray" said northern Indiana
Democrat, ''has fewer enmities than any of the
other men prominently before the party. He is
more cautious and more polite in his move
ments. and will go before his party with greater
advantages. He cannot be discouraged easily,
as has been demonstrated in his persistency as
o candidate for Governor, and he will not yield
TO those who may oppose him. 1t was this trait
of character which made Mr. Hendricks the
standard bearer of his party. He always came
mp smiling after defeat"
An old-time Democrat, who followed Mr. Hen
bricks through his thirty years of leadership,
shnks that the only man who will come any
where near meeting the requirements is Judge
Niblack, who has long been before the people
and is personally quite popular in his party
There is Enthusiastically very strong feeling in
at the head of the party, as Its
choice for United States senator The
close friends of Mr.. Hendricks especially feel
kindly toward him, and the opinion is expressed
shat the factional feeling which is sure to be de.
veoped by the strife between Voorhees,, Nc
Donald and Gray will make him necessity, to
preserve the harmony Of the party organization
at Ia al hat 10 9th ma