Evening journal., 1888-06-07
LINCOLN ON GRESHAM.
HE would Undoubtedly be the
Stronger Candidate.

Robert T. Lincoln was interviewed
by reporter of the Chicago Inter-
Ocean, few days previous to bis de-
parturs for Europe, in respect to Judge
Gresham's candidacy for the Presi-
dency. The interview reads as follows:
"What DO you think OF the political
situation, Mr.. LincolDs" asked the
reporter.
.'rhat question was answered prac-
tcally by Colonel InReIsoN, in the
interview with him published in the
later Ocean of Sunday morning.
What he said / heartily echo.
/ consider it the most mastery
exposition Of the present situation that
have seen. He has gone over the
whole ground in thorough and able
review, and whas he says will, think,
meet hearty response Of approval
from Republicans all over the country.
can only think of one point which
might be added to what he has said,
and that is this: This doctrines of free
trade, which may be utilized in the
polity of country Of the size and re-
sources OF England, have no place in
the doctrines Of a country the siz OF
the United States, where the diversit,
of it's resources, covering almost every
product OF nature. mechanics or art.
are only equaIed by the diversity Of
its people, who furnish a market for
everything which the producers
have to sell. There is ample
scope in the United States
for the application of the
.tional principles of free trade, with
oft extending them to other countries
to the detriment of our own citizsps.
With this issue as squarely before the
people as President Cleveland has
placed it, it seems to me there is no
question OF the success of the Bepubli-
can party this year il the Chicago con
vention makes a wise selection OF
standard bearer. On that point, too
l heartily agree with Colonel Ingersoll
in what he says OF Judge Gresham.
My relations with that gentleman have
been very close and intimate for
number Of years, ever since he was
called into President Arthur's Cabinet
as Postmaster-G General. and know
that he combines with an eminent fit
ness and ample ability for the higl
position with which his name ha,
been connected, an availability as .
candidate which / do not believe il
possessed by any other American citi-
zen. AS young man he was distin
guished leader, and the estimation OF his
military services by his compeers and
superiors was high. His public ser
vices as a jurist and statesman since
the war have been signally marked by
he value they have been to tn.
country and the hearty appreciation
they have won. His ability TO pr Fl
by the wide range of experience is not
doubted by any one. He is pre- en- l.
nently practical, every day, common.
sense American citizen"
"In what estimation did the Presi-
dent hold his advice and his opinions
on general matters which came befor'
the Cabinet for consultstion?"
'In all matters that came forReneral
discussion curing the time that we
we're colleagues, there was no member
Of the Cabinet whose opinion on any
public matter was more clearly and
conciselY and promptly gwen OF car
ried with it more weight than did
Judge Gresham's. He is quicR. clean
and safe thinker. and when he ex.
presses an opinion it is one that can bt
depended on. His practical sense as
we'll rs his wide experience as a law
yer made him an adviser to be trusted
and he was held in high esteem botl
by the President and his colleagues
President Arthur. who was himself
wise and prudent man, illustrated hie
confidence in Judge Gresham very for
chilly when, upon the much lamented
death of Judge Folger, he asked
him TO consent to be transferred
TO the Treasury Department, so thai
he held two OF the most important
portfolios in that administration. Few,
II any Cabinet officers, ever stood
higher in the councils of an admins
tration than did Judge Gresham in the
Arthur administration. He is an
earnest Republican, and it is difficult
TO imagine any good excuse which
could be raised for Mugwumpism in
campaign with such leader. There
is little need TO say anything Of him as
judg-, for his reputation is 80 well
known, both from the importance Of
his position as presiding judge Of the
most important judicial circuit in the
United States, and also from the mag
nitude Of the litigation which comes
before him.
Sits my belief that with Judgr
Gresham as a candidate the Republican
party will he in power again mex
March, and that We will have clean
illustration OF the difference between
sham reform and real reform, for,
whAtever Judge Gresham would or
would not do as President, one thing
is certain, he would not proclaim on.
course OF action and constantly and
persistently do the exact reverse. II
would require no close watching to
know what the policy of a Gresham
administration would be, and, when
that policy was defined, it would be
carried out"