The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-22
against any member of Congress who would
have anything 70 do with getting appointments

Harrison aud Gresham in Minnssosa.
Letter Of DR.. Albert shaw. Of the Minneapolis Trib-
Ihave made an honest and dilieent effort.
under the best auspices, TO fni out how she Re-
publicans Of Indiana really stand upon the
presidential question. There can be no doubt
OF the sincerity of the Harrison Endorsement. or
OF the determination Of the State to do every
thing in its power to make Gen. Harrison the
nominee at Chicago. It'll believed here that
Republican success depends upon carrying Indi-
Ina; and Gen. Harrison is regarded as the Re-
publican who can most surely do il. Because
fighting" has always been necessary in this
State. thoroughly active men are especially ap-
preciated; and Harrison has been at the front
as q leader in every campaign for . quarter off
century. Il Is not strange that he In now put
forward by bis fellow Republicans for national
honors. 4 although he failed to retain his seat
in the Senate, his brilliant campaign two years
ago against heavy odds only added to his pres
tige- The Hoosiers take pride in his character
and record
Judg Gresham as q jurist and gentleman il
compliinented by Indiana people OF all elements;
but politically he seems not TO be q conspicuous
favorite. If General Harrison had been on the
bench and out OF politics most of the time since
the war, and Judge Gresham had been, as Har-
rison has actually been. in the thick Of every
party contest. the situation would be reversed
So. at least, the Harrison men say. for ] am
quoting them. Then there seems to be some
slight but uuforgotten scores against Gresham.
He went to the Cincinnati convention In 1876,
when Indiana was eager to secure the nomina-
ton for her great war Governor and Senator,
Oliver T. Morton, and headed . little squad Of
Hoosiers that opposed Morton and supported
Bristow. Then, in later days, Mr.. Gresham
was regarded as q 'stalwart'-i. e., as
more stalwart than the bulk of Indiana
Republicans. Indiana has felt and still
feels very kindly towards Mr.. Blaine. and 1t
has always been thought here that the Arthur
admin stration-with which Judge Gresham for
a time was connected-mieht have done more
than it did for the Blaine and Logan ticket 1
simply repeat what l know to be common talk
among Indiana Republicans. Very many 60 so
far as to express the opinion that Mr.. Gresham
co uld not carry Indiana This would be . more
extreme view were it not certain that no Rs
publican can carry the State without very hard
work.
Editorial in Minneapolis Tribune.
In the Tribune of yesterday appeared an
interesting and reliable review Of the sit
uation in Indiana. The Hoosier State has
long held a pivotal position in national
politics. and never more SO than to-day.
The strength of the two great parties
is SO nearly equal that both know the folly of
experimenting with doubtful men. With Blaine
ont OF the race Indiana Republicans are for
Harrison, who will enter the national conven-
ton with q solid delegation. He is the one con-
spicuous Indiana Republican who has borne
the colors OF his party through victory and
defeat. and is the one Gho has most
deserved the honor which has been conferred
upon him by the Endorsement of Hoosier
Republicans as their choice for President. I'm
der these circumstances, it is peculiarly unfor-
tunate that the friends OF Judge Greshem should
present his name to the country as q candidate
I or the Republican nomination for tho presi-
dency. OF Judge Greshamis ability there can
be no dispute. but of his popularity there is
wide room for doubt. His d~esertion Of Senator
Morton in the convention of 1876 was a piece of
mugwumpery never forgiven by the stalwart Re-
publicans OF Indiana, who worshiped their war
Governor. and who believed that his nomination
was possible in the Cincinnati convention. but
for this detection. Morton was the strongest
man in the convention. next to Blaine, and his
defeat lost Indiana to the Republicans by 5000
nothing can be more fatal TO Judge
Gresham's future than the attempt
of his friends to force him to
accept the novel position for a presidential can
didate of begging for a nomination without the
support Of his own State. There has never been
anything clearer in political affairs than that if
Blaine will not accept the nomination-and he
has said he would MOTT will 60 to . Blaine
man equally well known-or defeat is certain.
The action of the mugwumps In the last election
was too pronounced to admit of any doubt on
the subject.
There Is another thing to be considered. Gov.
Isaac p. Gray, OF Indiana. is one or the sharp
est, shrewdest and most courageous Democratic
politicians in this country. He 10 both able and
INSCRIPTIONS. As a wire puller and az . parlia-
mentarian he has no superior In his State.
He has received the Endorsement OF his Party
for the Democratic vice-presidential nomination.
and his popularity throughout Indiana cannot
be questioned. He Is an ideal Democratic poll
tician in every sense of the word. With Gray
on the Democratic national ticket Indiana will
90 Democratic as sure as anything can be il
Gresham heads the Republican ticket With
Harrison, or any OF the names mentioned, there
would be a fighting chance. 1t may be urged that
McDonnaldis opposition will hurt him. Candidly,
then. has McDonald's opposition ever affected
the popularity Of any Indiana Democrat in that
STATED He was at war with Hendricks as long
as the latter was alive, but it strengthened rath-
er than weakened Hendricks with the Hoosiers.
Mcdonald never was popular at home. His old
fogy conservatism gave him prominence in the
United States Senate that at best was undo
served. He has opposed Gray ever since the
latter became q power In Indian politics, but
Gray has defeated him in every contest. When
Mcdonald retired from the Senate, to give way
to Harrison, be was not even accorded the small
courtesy of q denomination, when, under ordi-
nary circumstances, it was the most natural
thing in the world. But il Is simply an ~illustra-
ton of his lack Of strength at home The com
pliment Was almost unanimously bestowed upon
Gray. Nothing can be palmer than that Re-
publicans cannot afford to experiment with Indi-
ana. especially when there is q good fighting
chance of winning with . strong man. Gresham
is not that man.