The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-03
TO-DAY's CONVENTION.


The work of the Republican convention to-
day is a simple one, but very important, and
may and will have profound influence upon
the Republican thought of the country and
the probable outcome of the Chicago conven-
ton. In every possible way the voice Of the
Republicans of Indiana has been expressed
with remarkable enthusiasm and unanimity
in favor of the nomination Of General Ben
Harrison for President of the United States.
A strong and deliberately organized pressure,
both from within and without, has been
brought to bear upon Indiana Republicans
to induce them to waver in their purpose
and to commit the monstrous ingratitude and
the political folly of passing over the brilliant
services of General Harrison for more than
quarter of a century, or Of dividing their
strength and influence before the country and
the Chicago convention, by sending dele
CATION there without mind or opinion of their
own, mere puppets to be moved by wires un-
der the control Of some organized 'bureau"in
the interest of other candidates. This effort
has proved abortive, and only by the wise for
bearance and unfinching loyal Republicanism
of the friends of General Harrison has it been
kept from embroiling the party in local and
personal embittermen,s that might have great
ly weakened, if they would not destroy, the
bright prospects of success that are now in
the political horizon. But Indiana Republic
ans are Republicans first, last and all the
time; they are fighting Republicans. With
them men are less than the party; but at the
same time they feel that they are fully OF
age. and amply able and competent to take
care Of themselves, and to determine their
own choice even for President of the United
States By the almost universal voice of the
press-by resolutions of township, city and
county conventions. and, finally, by the off,
ciAl expression of the entire State in the sew
eral congressional districts-the Republicans
of Indiana have expressed their desire for the
nomination of Gen. Harrison for President and
have already elected twenty-six delegates
charged with the duty of using every honora-
BILE means to compass that end. This feeling
will be reflected in to-day's convention, and
there is no doubt that upon the four dele
gates-at-large, and four alternates, will be
devolved the same duty. The objective Of
Indiana Republicans is the nomination Of
General Harrison, and the single desire of the
members of to-day's convention should be to
select the best four men to advance this de-
sire. No question of location, of geography,
of personal pride or qualification should be
permitted to interfere with the practically
unanimous choice of four representative men,
men of character, influence, power, force and
earnestness, men who can best work and plan
and mold the opinions of others, so as to
bring about the hoped-for result. If it is
possible, it would be we'll if those four men
could be agreed upon without special contest,
so that the country could see that the Repub
licans of Indiana are actuated by one impulse
and controlled by one purpose; but whatever
contest there is, let it be without bitterness
or Discrimination, and let the contest be one
| the ruling motive of which shall be to unite
upon "Big Four" delegation for the advant-
age of the State and the promotion of its can
didature. All for the party and none for self,
should be the motto of every Republican.