The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-15

instead of seeking the nomination. was searching
after pleasure and recreation in the far
" est, being in California when he received
the official notification of his nomination
When it is remembered that the average nomi-
nation of these years is made only after heated
canvass, in which the candidate for honors
and his supporters and friends have used every
effort to obtain the honor it speaks well for MIR:
Chase'e popularity that he should be selected
without his asking personal effort, and more
especially when he was 1000 miles from his dis
trict.
Mr.. Chase in his speech at this place. said he
had travelled over thirty eight States and Terri
tories of the Union, and that since the year 1880
he had been in seventy counties in this State
preaching in more than forty of them, and one
would think, judging from the wide awake in
telligence of the man, that the acquaintance he
had gained of the country in general and Of his
own State in particular, was not merely pass
ing and superficial one but thorough and intel
ligent. If it is true, as is claimed,
that he has been out of active politics for twenty
years. he has certainly been keen observer and
close reader of political events. Had he not
been, we could not now meet the requirements
of the hour and the expectations of his friends as
he does.
From indications Mr.. Chase is gaining with
the people wherever he goes. One who was
with him through his canvass of Owen county
thus speaks Of him: .'Chase is the best CAM
paigner l ever saw His popularity is unques-
toned. and his knack of making acquaintance
and friends is wonderful" One enthusiastic
nearer of his speech at Tayiorsville, IN this
county, a few evenings past. pronounced it
'Grand beyond description" Like expressions
from those who have heard him are common,
and while they may be slightly exaggerated,
they are nevertheless Indicative OF the general
impression he is making and the popularity
which is following him in his canvass Those
who know him intimately say that he is one of
the most companionable of men, genial and
pleasant in his daily intercourse with
others, and that, were the race to be made and
decided by the personal popularity of the can
didates, gained by intercourse with the people
in their homes and at their places of business,
Mr. Chase would find few who could compete
with him. Mr.. Chase besides being a good
tinker" loses nothing by being able to preach,
and he does preach wherever he may be when
Sunday comes, occupying the pulpit of one of
the churches in the town. One of his support
ers in Brown county says: ellis lChasesl SER
mons in this county have made him votes.
have found several Democrats who say they
will vote for him--men from whom
| would not have expected it. His work has
made an impression that will be of lasting ben
eft in Brown county"
If Mr.. Chase is one of those who believe that
the use of language abusive of the opposite
party is the way to gain votes he doesn't suit the
action to the belief. His speech here was con-
spicuously clear of abuse or trade, but was mild
and logical, addressing the intelligence and I'M
derstanding of his hearers Yet, while his
speeches. are nDeral In spirit, Cney 90 not I'M
press with the idea that the speaker would
have his hearers believe that he would either
sacrifice whit of his political belief or COM
promise any of his principles for votes.
The vote of the soldier is. of course. very
great desideratum with any candidate for hon
ors. Both Mr.. Chase and Mr. Matson were sol
diers, and the fact is being urged by their re-
spective friends with earnestness. However. it
is an old and oft-repeated story for
the soldiers to be asked to sup
port a man who bore a commission
in the army, all the while the commission re-
ceiviug especial emphasis But for them to be
given an opportunity to lend helping hand to
further the interests of comrade who. with a
musket i'll his hand, stepped by their side in the
ranks, is neither old nor common, and the SOL
der element, which makes up small, part of
Mr. Chase's audiences, will no doubt remember
the difference. However the race between the
two candidates is very interesting one. There
is good organization among the Republicans,
and they feel that they have something to fight
for, while among the Democrats in some locali-
ties there is feeling which. if not distinctly
anti Matson, is at least lukewarm and indffer-
ent In this county the feeling is more decided,
and many persons will this year support Chase
who before voted for Matson. wJ.B