The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-29
ANTI HARRISON WORK
Influential Republican, Hold Csueus and
Boom General Gresham for President.
An Editorial From the Chicago Tribune
in which Some Folks Detect the
Fine Italian Hand of an In
diana Statesman,

The Gresham Republicans OF Indiana
seem TO be making a vigorous fight all
along the line in the interest OF their can
didate for President. As announced in
The SENTINEL q few days ago, several of the
most influential Republican newspapers
in the State are acting in concert, and this
week they come out strongly in favor of
the nomination of General Gresham, in
sisting that he is the choice of the masses
of the party in Indiana, though not of the
Republicans at the head OF the organiza-
tlen, and that he can carry the State, while
ex-senator Harrison cannot.
1t transpires tha. a caucus or conference
OF prominent party workers who are favor
able to General Gresham's candidacy, was
held in this city on Monday night. Toe
names of all the Republicans who comprised
the caucus are not known, but, in addition
to Hon. w. H. Calkins, Hon. A. G. Harris
and Major Charles L. HoIstein, now of Chi
cago-all three of whom are positively
known to have been present-it is under
stood that Mr.. Noble @. Butler, Clerk of
the District Court; Mr.. o. I. Morton, Col.
w. r. Holloway, Editor Lsngsdale, of
Greencastle; Mr.. Kenesaw Lands, of
the Secretary of States office,
and others, either participated in
the deliberations or were cognizant
of the action taken. The question of the
respective strength aud availability of
Generals Gresham and Harrison as Presi-
Dental factors, was under consideration.
The sentiment of the caucus was reduced
to writing and unanimously approved.
Considerable significance is attached to
the fact that Major Calkins, Immediately
after the caucus, took train for Chicago,
and to the further fact that the day fol-
lowing his arrival in that city (Wednes-
day. the editorial given below appeared in
the Chicago Tribune:
GENERAL HARRISON AS PRESIDENTIAL CAM
DIDATE.
Have the Hoosier politicians in and
around indianapolis who are so actively
engaged in promoting General Harrison 8
candidacy thoroughly considered his avail
ability for the Presidency? Have they
seriously canvassed his strength among
the people, which is a more important
question than his strength among politi-
clans? He may be all we have
described, but can he be elected? Is he
available? These are essentials which we
fear his Indiana political friends have not
thoroughly considered.
They must remember that General
Harrison 3 record, should he be nominated,
will be thoroughly scrutinized by his op-
ponents. Will it bear the scrutiny? Does
il contain elements Of weakness? First,
have they considered his record in the
matter of Chinese immigration, and how
1t will affect the labor vote? General
Harrison in Congress voted against the
Chinese restriction bill and took an active
part with Senator Edmunds and others in
the discussions. which places him on the
record as favoring Chinese immigration.
When the bill was vetoed by the Presi-
dent and modified bill presented he
voted against that also. N the hual ballot.
Have his Indiana friends stopped to con-
slider, how he is going to carry the Pacific
States and the labor vnte in the large East
ern and Weatern cities with such record?
Second, have they considered the hos
tiIity Of the Labor vote to him growing out
of other circumstances in his career?
When he was a candidate before the Legis-
latUre the Labor Fusion members could
not be induced to vote for him under the
strongest pressure brought to bear upon
them? The sentiments of their constitu-
ents were too well known, their instruc-
tions were too positive to admit Of any
thing but the most uncom promising
hostility TO his candidacy. Four of the
Republican-Laber members of the Legis-
lature would not vote for General Harrison
do not consider the reasons they urged
against him as sound, it is not question
what we or any of bis friends think about
it, but what the Labor element would
think and do about Ii in q Presidential
campaign. Have his friends any evidence
that this hostility has abated or that this
vote would not be just as surely cast
against him next fall by the workingmen
as it was at that tins by their representa-
tives2
Third. have they stopped to consider his
record on the prohibition GU estion? Apart
from his attitude on the Congressional ques-
tion of regulating alcoholic liquors, General
Harrison publicly took position in Indiana
in favor of submitting q prohi bition
amendment TO the voters of the State. 1t
will be answered at once that any man has
the right to do this, and that it does not
involve prohibition or even personal con-
viction. But the Germans do not draw this
distinction. Any man who advocates the
submission of prohibition amendment is
promptly set down by them as favoring
prohibition, and is sure to be opposed by
them. Have his friends considered how
they are to obtain the German vete for
him?
1.-THE Tribune throws out these sugges-
tions, not In any feeling of hostility TO
General Harrison, but as precautionary
measure, lest his friends make mistake
and discover 1t when it is too late TO rectify
it. There must be no elements of weak
ness in the candidate this time. He mus
be available. Have they sufficiently con
sidered whether General Harrison's record
is such that it will not seriously embarrass
the party2 Are they not making mis-
take In pushing him instead OF Judge
Gresham, a far stronger and more popular
man? On every point where Harrison is
weak Gresham is strong. II the
Hoosiers want q Hoosier President he
is their man, because he can be
elected, for he is man upon whom all
factions of the party, whether Germans or
Prohibitionists, or whatever their tariff
views may be, could heartily unite. Let
them be careful they do not make grave
mistake when they come to present their
candidate.
with Gresham in the White House and
Harrison IN the Cabinet, Indiana w0uld hare
a standing and influence IN the National GoU-
eminent such as she has nerer had IN her lVhOLe
history as a State"
The italics used above are the Tribune's.
There Is no proof that the editorial was
furnished to the Tribune by Major Calkins,
but this is being generally charged by Har.
rison men, who have since been actively st
work endeavoring to counteract in some
manner the effect OF the publication.