The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-26
MP. M,DONALD,s LBTTER.


The Mcdonald letter is political event. It
Senator opposed to Governor Gray for
Vice-president, and he intimated, in an inter
view few weeks ago, that at the proper time
he would define his position, and the reasons
therefor. He evidently thinks the proper
time was the eve of the State convention.
His action may have been hastened by the
Gray crowds recent brutal course in defeat
ing hira in his own ward as g. delegate to the
State convention, but no doubt it was deter
mined on before Mr.. Mcdonald is not an
impulsive man, nor does he act from personal
pique. The insult placed on him in his own
ward may have been the straw that broke the
cameps back, but it was not the main impel-
ling motive of his action.
The conditions that have produced the let
ter are peculiar. Mr. Mcdonald is aow in his
sixty ninth year, and has been Democrat all
his life. more than sixty years of which have
been passed in Indiana. He has the longest
public career of any Democrat in the State,
and it has always been honorable. He was
served two terms as Attorney general before
the war. At this time Governor Gray was an
ardent young Republican. When he went
over to the Democracy, in 1872, Mcdonald
had been recognized one Of the party lead
ers in this State for twenty-five years. Then,
as now, he represented the best element of
the Democracy. The best was none too good,
but it better than the worst. During
the war Mr. Mcdonald was thoroughly loyal,
and on all constitutional and financial ques-
tons he has always been thoroughly sound.
He has canvassed the State for the
Democracy many times, and has al
ways given freely of bis time and
service to the party. AS a lawyer he has
more than State reputation. To this career
that of Governor Gray is in striking contrast.
First Know nothing, then Republican, he
finally turned Democrat Having become
d emocrat through personal spite, he has con-
tinued to be one from personal interest. He
has rendered no party service ASSOCIATED from
his own political aggrandizement. He is I'M
known in national politics. That he should
be put forward as a representative Democrat
and as the party's choice in Indiana for Vice
president is curious phase o. politics. That
he should assume to ride rough shod over the
Oldest and ablest Democrats in the State is
astounding.
Mr.. McDonald's letter is dignifed and
severe From his d-fashioned standpoint
4ha snac4acla of a man maxine, a narsnnal can
vass and setting up ward meetings for the
second place on the national ticket is peculiar
ly indecent. If the nomination is to come to
Indiana at all, he thinks it SHOULD come I'M
solicited and come to one Of the devoted.
lifelong Democrats of the State whose char
acter and ability entitle them to such honor"
Mr.. Mcdonald warns the party that the NOM
ination of Gray would imperil their chance
of success in Indiana, and gives fair notice
that his own defeat as delegate will not pre-
vent his being heard in opposition to the
scheme. The letter will have more infu-
ence outside of the State than it will here,
The convention is fixed for Clay, and will not
be deferred from its predetermined purpose Of
indorsing and instructing for him. But
among conservative Democrats in other
States.who know Mr.. Mcdonald personally or
by reputation, and who do not know Gov.
Gray at all, the letter will have much weight.
1t is at least notice to the Democracy that the
nomination of Gov. Gray, so far from harmon
izing the party in this State. would be pos
itively offensive to the large number of Demo-
Gratis who think and feel with Mr.. Mcdonald.