The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-21
THE INDIANA CANDIDATE.

THE INDIANA CANDIDATE
In the list of Indiana papers from which
quotations were yesterday made in the jour-
nal touching State candidate for the presi-
dency, three-the Greencastle Banner, the
Delphi Journal and the Corydon Republican
expressed themselves in favor of Judge
Gresham; all the others-and they were but
representative of the entire press of the State
were for Gen. Benjamin Harrison. We
presume that the State press fairly interprets
and represents the sentiment of the party, and
in doing SO emphasizes what the Journal said
the other day-that ninety per cent. of the
Republicans of Indiana were for General
Harrison as their choice for a presidential
candidate. So far as Indiana Republicans are
concerned there is but one presidential choice
in the State, and that is General Harrison This
is not because of animosity toward any other
man, Gen. Gresham, whoever else might be
mentioned. But it is necessity the party can
not evade with honor, opposition to which
can only be factional, and if not so intended
must result in party Discussions, putting the
State in an uninfuential and contemplate
attitude before the country, and imperiling not
only success in the next campaign, but
inviting like party disagreements that have
wrecked Republicanism il New York and
which have seriously interfered with it in
PENNSYLVANIA and in other States. The Journal
is not devoted to the personal fortunes of Gen.
Harrison, or of any other man; the Journal
is devoted to the best interests of the Repub-
lican party, and for these speaks with earnest
ness. We do not believe General Harrison is
losing any sleep over the possibilities of his
candidacy, and we do know that, SO far as the
Journal is concerned, he is not related to it
in any way, directly or indirectly, never
having expressed by word or suggestion
line concerning himself as a candidate for any
Office, whether United States Senator or
President. The Journal is in the habit of
speaking its own mind, actuated by purpose
higher than the personal advancement of any
man. In 1880 its columns open but
to one candidacy for Governor. and to
the advocacy of that we gave all possible
energy and effort. In 1884 Mr.. Blaine had its
earnest and devoted support, he would have
had in 1883 had he been the candidate, how
soever much our preliminary opinion might
have been in favor of another nomination.
Hon. w. ii. Calkins was also Loyalty supported
for Governor in that campaign. In 1886 the
Journals columns closed to anything
that could possibly detract from the force of
the candidacy of General Harrison for re-
feel that not only the Journal, but the entire
press of the State, contributed its due share
to the magnificent and unparalleled victory
achieved under his leadership against
odds SO tremendous and apparently insur-
mountable that but few members of his
own party responded to a belief in the
possibility of success. That campaign, and it's
unexpected result, attracted the universal
attention of the country to General Harrison,
and to the splendid fighting spirit of Indiana
Republicanism. Followed, as it was last
November by the defeat of the Republican
party in New York and the probable infer
ence that that State could not be carried by
any Republican candidate against Mr.. Cleve-
directed to Indiana as State most likely to
be called upon to furnish a candidate and by
necessity, General Harrison comes to the
froat as the Indiana possibility. Since 1860
General Harrison has been in the
front of every political contest in the State.
Never candidate for Office, holding only the
reportership of the Supreme Court in 1860,
which he abandoned to go into the army,
he was forced to lead the forlorn hope In 1876,
and bore the brunt of that hard-fought cam
paign against the popularity Of Governor
Hendricks and the corruption fund of Samuel
j. Tilden. In 1881, by the unanimous voice
of his party, he was elected to the United
States Senate. General Gresham was then
candidate for Senator. but the party gave the
honor to General Harrison by acclamation,
because to have done otherwise would have
been to commit as monstrous an ingratitude as
| as the choice of the State for the presi-
dency. The campaign of 1886 and the part
| General Harrison bore in it is too recent 60
| require notice, but it enhanced the reputation
| of General Harrison, and increased the meas
ure of indebtedness of the party to him for
his devotion to party interests and his in
trepid leadership In view of all the circum-
stances. the ialk of General Gresham as the
probable choice of the Republicans Of In
1 diana is simply an effort to create divisions