The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-23
Hon. w. r. McKeen for Congress.

spence's Peoples Paper.
After careful canvass made in this county
among the stalwart workers and the mass of Re-
publican voters, there seems to be but one opin-
ion as regards the gravity of the situation, and
the almost hopelessness of electing Republican
Congressman to succeed Hon. James T. John
ston. Since this district has been gerrymandered
in the interest of John e. Lamb and the county
of Warren cut off, with her large Republican
majority, and the county OF Sullivan added,
with like or larger Democratic majority il
looks like hopeless task, fight against fate, to
renominate the present. incumbent, who ran
some fifteen hundred votes behind his ticket.
With these facts staring the party in the face 1t
warns them to take no chances, but to consider
the important question with wisdom, candor and
sagacity, and thoroughly canvass and weigh the
matter by calling together the leaders and prom
inent men of the party in the different counties
Of the district, where they can consult in a
friendly and fraternal spirit the peril of the stu
alton.
We have no fault to find with our present
member Of Congress He has proved an able
legislator, an upright, honorable gentleman; yet
we are painfully aware that he is not the man
for the race. He cannot possibly hope to poll
the entire strength of the party. He cannot
draw votes from the opposition, as was fully
evidenced in the election of 1884 The opposi-
ton at that time confronts him again to-day,
and with the loss of the vote Of Warren county,
and the heavy Democratic majority that would
be rolled up against him in Sullivan county. he
could not hope to succeed himself. Would that
the fates decreed otherwise, but such is the
case-stubborn, uncontrovertible facts. Conse.
quently, it behooves the Republican party to
lay aside all personal feeling and favoritsm, and
decide upon candidate VINO could and would
unite and consolidate the entire support of the
party; one who would make vigorous canvass;
one who would carry the war into the camp and
stronghold of the enemy, asking and giving no
quarter. With such standard bearer the Re-
publican party would have q fighting show for
success, and in the person of Hon. w. r.. Nc
Keen. OF Terre Haute. our Republican friends
believe they have found the leader-the Moses
to lead the party to victory.
Mr.. McKeen is universally known throughout
the district, in fact the entire State and enjoys
the reputation of an honorable, upright and CON
scientious citizen, with unassailable record,
an intelligent gentleman, thoroughly posted in
State and national affairs as we'll as in the
wants and requirements of our people In this
gentleman we have strength and wisdom COM
bined; member who, if elected. we could point
with pride, and one who would add additional
honor, glory and renown TO the party of the peo-
pie.
We therefore think 1t is not only policy, but
wisdom, to place at the head Of our columns the
name of Hon. W. r. McKeen, of Terre Haute,
candidate for Congress of the Eighth district,
subject to the decision of the Republican con-
vantion, and should he acquiesee in the wishes
of our people. we promise him not only the full
party vote of old Fountain, but handsome in
crease over its usual poll. We hope for the
sake of harmony, for the sake of unity. for the
sake of the grand old party, whose victorious
eagles have perched upon its standards on so
many well-fought political battle-fields. and has
carried the banner of progress upward and on
ward in the march of civilization, growth and
prosperity, that he will consent to don the armor
Of the true Republican knight, and we assure
him his voice on the hastings will be as potent
in calling together the clans of Republicansm in
defense of the old Union, the old flag, the old
Constitution with the added Republican amend
ments, as was one bugle blast of Rhoderick
Dhu's when calling his cansmen to his defense.