The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-05-16
UNITED STATES SENATE,

W ASHlNGTON, IL. u, May z, 1888.
The Hon. Maurice Thompson, Charlottesville, Ind. ::
My DEAR FRIEND-YOur esteemed favor of
the I'd inst. has just been opened and carefully
read. have been quite i'll, and confined to
my room for the last three or four DAYS, and
have not kept up with my mail as closely as
would have done under other circumstances.
This will account for the fact that my answer
has not been more prompt and immediate.
In the first place, please accept the thanks of
a grateful heart for your kind and partial ap-
probation of my contest in the senate 1t
seems that new phase of partisan bitterness
and falsehood has been assumed toward the
democratic party, and that, however eminent
may have been the services of a soldier or a
civilian in behalf of the union he is to be de-
nounced disloyal if he voted the democratic
ticket. / am sure none of my friends in Indi-
ana will expect me to sit silently by while such
accusations are made. Ny speech of April %
was not only an absolutely truthful expression
of my feelings, but it was one of the most nat
ural. In what | said in regard to Mcclellan
and in vindication of Hancock, was simply
defending and indicating the honor and patri-
otism of the democratic party which cast its
votes for these two distinguished union gem
erals in 1864 and in 1880. felt that was per-
forming not only patriotic but pious duty
toward men whom / knew TO be inspired by
the Hottest devotion to their country. To be
aTaigned and assailed for my defense of the
democratic party and of its candidates for the
presidency 1 esteem an honor, especially when
1t comes from the scurrilous, slanderous, cow
ardly home guard from Kansas.
| am Thoroughly at peace with myself on this
subject. j am willing to live or die on the re-
port of the senate proceeding contained in the
Congressional Record of May 9. / made no re-
vision; did not even see the reporters notes
after l had spoken, and let my words go to the
world just as they fell from my lips. They ap-
peared the next morning after the debate The
two hours speech made by the Kansas rufhan
hos vet 9nnp9rpl N fba (iOsgHrscQiolJDI Pee
ord Why it is withheld do not know, but
might conjecture. Enough of this, however,
until meet you and the brave and generous
democracy OF the state, who know me and
know whether have been true or false to my
party, to the soldiers, to the people generally.
Passing from my concerns here, | have
noted with great care that part OF your letter
which relates to harmony and success, person
ally and politically, in Indiana. i thank you
for the tone Of true and faithful friendship
which pervades what you say. | respond to it
in the same spirit. / shall 20 to the national
convention at st. Louis to carry out the ex-
pressed wishes of the democracy of Indiana,
not only without mental evasion or equivOca-
ton, but with good will, good faith, and an
earnest desire for success.
The democratic party has made me all am,
and has a right to command. Not only that,
she has my ready, cheerful and unquestiOnable
allegiance as long as j live, and still further,
Gov. Gray is worthy of the high honor which
his party has bestowed upon him at home. and
which his friends seek for him in national
sense. Personally, nothing has ever occurred
to disturb our friendly relations, and he will
receive my cordial and earnest support.
While, of course, am not writing this letter
for publication, yet l will be glad if you will
make known the fact, and in your own way,
that L expect TO be at the st. Louis convention
IF life and health are spared, there to faithfully
represent my party, its harmony and its success
in Indiana, as well as elsewhere. Indeed,
have taken it for granted that nobody would
assume that my action would be otherwise.
But for the condition of my health, | would
be in indianapolis at this time. 1t was my
purpose to have reached there last "Wednesday,
but my health for some weeks past has been
poor and for the last week have been con-
fined to my room, and 1 am now debating
rather than writing you with my own hand,
which ! would gladly have done.
Believe me, with kindest regards, always
faithfully, Your friend,
D. W. VOORHEES,.