The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-15
1910 AND 1893.

l640 AND 1888.
A correspondent of the Journal says he
wants General Harrison elected President in
order that he may fill ont the unexpired term
of his grandfather, Gen. William Henry Har-
rison. This is an odd reason, but there are
odd people in the world. A sentiment that
can outlive the wear and tear of forty-eight
years is entitled to respect, and the surviving
friends of President Harrison, whose untime-
ly death soon after his Inauguration so
shocked the country; and whose term of Office
was SO ingloriously filled out by Vioe-presi-
dent John Tyler, can hardly be blamed for
wishing to see another General Harrison
elected. Many of the veterans who partici-
pated in the campaign of 'Tippecanoe and
Tyler, too will 60 to Chicago to urge the
nomination of Indiana's choice, while the
larger number who remain at home will be
praying for his success. From 1910 to 1888
is a long time, and the years have been fruit
full of great events, but the survivors Of the
Harrison campaign still recall with pride
and pleasure the grand enthusiasm which
marked its course and the splendid
victory which crowned its end. The cam
paign of 1910 was one of the most picturesque
in our history, and is inseparably connected
with the party which gave to the country a
long list of its greatest political leaders.
There are some points of resemblance between
the political situation in 1910 and the pres
emit. General William Henry Harrison was
nominated for reasons not dissimilar to those
which make General Benjamin Harrison so
prominent candidate at present, viz: because
of the general feeling that of all the leaders
of the Wing party he was the most available
and gave the best promise and assurance of
success. For this reason he was nominated
over Henry Clay, who, brilliant and popular
as he was, it was feared could not be
elected. Harrison had been nominated
and defeated in 1886. The people
had learned that he was safe man, a
good leader, possessing elements of great
popularity, an excellent military and civil
record, and that his private character was in
vulnerable. This Characterization applies
very closely in every respect to General Ben
jamin Harrison also. The Democrats
were in power then, as they are now,
and Van Buren, was nomin ated for
reelection as Cleveland has been.
They laughed at the idea of their being dis
lodged from power by party which they de-
clared was already on its last legs and in
moribund condition. Yet such was Harri-
sons popular strength and so great the gener-
al desire for change that he was elected by
an overwhelming majority of the Electoral
College. His triumphant election proved the
sagacity of those who had urged his nomina-
ton on the score of availability. The elder
Harrison represented in its undeveloped state
the idea which, under the leadership of Clay,
Webster and others, was to become the corner
stone of the Wing party and policy-protec-
ton to American industry. Since the mem
orable log-cabin and hard-cider campaign of
1910 that principle has had numerous con-
dicts and passed through many changes of pol
itics, but it is as strong. vital and aggressive
as ever, and the General Harrison of to-day is
one of its ablest and most eloquent champions.
The Harrison of 1910 had achieved great militia
ry distinction in his wars with the Indians and
had served in the United States Senate
and in other distinguished positions with great
credit. The Harrison of 1888 has also won
renown as soldier and statesman, and has
shown more decided aptitude for public af-
fairs than the other. But the strongest poirt
in Gen. Benjamin Harrison's candidacy, an
in this the present situation resembles that of
1910, is his availability. Assuming that
what the Republican party wants is success,
we do not hesitate to assert that the claims Of
Indiana's candidate are paramount to all
others The r epublicans of Indiana are no
more interested In the success o. the party
than are those Of other States, but they say
TO the chicago convention: here Is our candl-
date, and We ask you to make him yours
With him we pledge ourselves to carry Indi-
ana; with any other candidate we will not be
answerable for the result. If the fifteen
electoral votes of Indiana are essential to Re-
publican success. as we believe they are. then
General Harrisons candidacy is essential to
the party. In 1S4Q the Wing party passed
over so brilliant and popular man as Henry
Clay and nominated Gen. William Henry
Harrison because it felt sure he could be
elected. Let the Republican party initiate
this wise example and nominate General Har-
rison of to-day. who alone of all the candi-
dates can lead the way to certain success.
THGVgTO POWER