The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-16

1t lie head.
There is one way to make sure Of the fifteen
votes for the Republican party. and that 10 by
nominating at Chicago . man who Is stronger
than his party In this State. By some means
there has gone abroad through the East wrong
notion a. TO the situation here. The party has
been made 70 believe that General Harrison 10
not strong with the people. but that his appar-
emit strength is owing TO the efforts Of what Is
styled 1.-The machine Nothing could be further
from the truth. have made myself familiar
with the feeling among the people in oil sec
tions, and have had superior opportunities to
know what that feeling L. L. 10 true that the
State organization Of the party 10 for Harrison.
but the organization was made because the
members were for Harrison. So strong IL the
General among the mssseb Of the party,
and so earnest IL the feeling in his ia
vor, that no man could have secured .
place on the State committee had he been known
to be hostile to the General. The committee
was selected last February. and she General was
then on the top wave Of popularity. 1t would be
wrong to say that every Republican in the State
preferred him TO all others for the nomination,
for such is not the case. No man could be in
public life for twenty five years and not make
some enemies; but the fact remains that the
party 10 practically unanimous for him. for
those who oppose him few that they can
readily be counted. His popularity has been
tested time and again. No one will have the
hardihood to say that Morton was not popular
In the State. and yet General Harrison was
1864, and each time ran ahead of his ticket
Since the death Of Morton he has been the great
leader OF the party. 1t 10 true he does not DOS
sess the personal magnetism ascribed to Clay
and Blaine. but the people believe in MIN thor
oughly. and when he speaks so much In earnest
Is he that be inspires his hearers with his own
enthusiasm and courage.
The battle OF two years ago was a test of his
strength with the masses. and proved beyond
oil dispute that he il stronger than his party.
IA in had nd 4 Ia
State so 40 70 give them, with the holding over
Senators. majority Of forty-six on joint ballot.
with possibility Of increasing 1t to more than
fifty. Some Of the Republican districts were
very close. In his race for the Senate General
Harrison not only carried every Republican dis
trict by increased majorities. but stepped over
into the territory Of the enemy AID carried
twenty two Democratic districts. thus reducing
change of less than 300 votes would have given
him . majority Of four on joint ballot No
charges could be made that this remarkable
success was purchased. for the entire expendi-
ture Of the committee for all purposes was less
count for this popularity of General Harrison.
and especially his popularity among
chat are termed the working Re-
publicans. His voice has been heard
in every campaign the party has made. begin
but has ever been in the thickest OF the fight
He has been as ardent and earnest in the causs
when be has not boon candidate as when he
was aspiring to Office He has fought the bat
ties Of the party and the party loves BE-
hotly-contested battle, and no victory has been
won without fighting for it. The party dearly
loves its fighting men. and has no use for any
other kind OF Republicans. Ii was Morton's
power - fighter that 80 endeAred him to the
Republicans Of Indiana. They admire the great
talents of Gen. Harrison and respect him for
his high character. but they love him because he
has led them in SO many deadly conflicts with
the enemy. No man has ever said aught against
his character, and the honest and self respecting
portion of the Democracy respect his high moral
worth and integrity, and 1t is that which makes
him stronger than his party. If he should be
the nominee of the Chicago convention he will
get not less than 5000 Democratic votes n Indi-
ana. making the State sure for the ticket
1t has also gone abroad throughout the East
that the delegation Is neither solid nor enthusi-
assc for him. aud It has been said they would
Gresham if that gentleman should develop any
strength outside. The facts are that desperate
effort wac made to get portion Of the delegation
for Judge Gresham. but it was q miserable fail
ure. Every delegate stands pleged to vote for
Harrison until the last There is but one man
on the entire delegation who prefers Judge
Gresham, and he 10 for Harrison because the
State is for him. Judge Gresham has never
been counted among the leaders OF the party.
He has always been classed az Republican, but
personally in politics. What part he has taken
has been more that of adisorganizer than any,
thing else. he has never been a candidate before
the people of the State for any Office and ha
never taken part In any of the campaigns. His
record as q soldier is admired and his integrity
and courage on the bench admitted, but it 10 .
mistake 10 say that he is popular with the party
here. His chief In charge of his boom in Indi-
ana 10 an avowed free-trader and has fought the
Republican party for ten years. He is a man
whom Gresham has kept In q fat office for many
years. and that fact alone has made the Judge
unpopular with his party.
Other reasons might be assigned - account
for his appropriately such as his attitude
OF Indiana owed more to Morton than TO any
other man, and In 1916 was in earnest in desir-
ing his nomina tion At the Cincinnati convention,
but Judge Gresham adjourned his court to 60
20 the convention and work against Indiana's
idol In 1884. while in the Cabinet. he refused
to lend Shelping hand TO the party in his own
State. He has quarreled with every prominent
Republican in the State. Gen. Tom
Br.wre was district attorney when the
Judge went upon the bench. 1t was not long
until quarrel arose, and GeneralBrowne shortly
afterward resigned. Whom Colonel Dudley was
marshal he Was also 90 enthusiastic Republican.
and did what he could to advance the cause of
his party For that Gresham auarreled with
him. and by various means 30 reduced the in
come Of the marshals Office as to drive Dudley
to resign. A great effort was made to work up
. boom for him IN this State. but among his
supporters not one prominent or active Repub-
licau could be found. mean by this . Repub-
Ecan with more than local reputation. His
supporters como from two classes-freet trade
Republicans and railroad attorneys
II may Do relied upon that Indiana will pre-
sent but ono name to the convention, and that
the delegation will stick TO that one until the
convention has outvoted them and named the
successful man. There will be second choice.
They have but one fayorite son and but one
leader. and his name is Harrison.
INpIANAPoLIs june f.