The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-11
TIE REPUBLICAN PROBLEM.

The coming presidential election will be
turning point in the history Of the country,
and its result viii be felt for many years to
come. The party that is successful in this
election viii undoubtedly retain control of
the government for . long time If the
Democracy are successful it will give them
four years more of power during which they
will so strengthen their position that it will
be very difficult to dislodge them. If the
Republicans succeed IL will mean that the
Democratic party has been tried and found
wanting and need not apply again. If the
Republicans lose this election it viii be long
time before they can expect to win again
or to have as good chance of winning
as they have now. 1t is, therefore, of the
utmost Importance for the welfare of the
party and of the country, which we hold
to be Synonymous. that the Republicans
should utilize every possible chance of success
in the contest on which they are about
entering 1t is to be hoped the convention
soon to meet at Chicago will realize the
critical nature Of the situation and the
weight of responsibility devolved upon it.
and will shape its action with the sole
purpose and to the single end of
securing Republican victory in November.
If there is any other sentiment to be aired,
any other theory to be enforced, any personal
or factional quarrels to be settled. any old
debts or grudges to be paid off, let them all
be indefinitely postponed or summarily
pitched out of the window. II the convention
admits to its deliberations anything at war
with the plain conditions of success as indi-
Gated by the existing situation and by passing
Republican party and the country. These
conditions as the Journal sees them, indi-
cate that Indiana is the key of the situation and
is to be the determinative State in so far as
any hope Of Republican success is concerned.
With Indiana success is assured, without In
diana it is almost hopeless. As matter of
practical politics. therefore, the most impor-
tant point for the convention to decide will
be how to secure Indiana. On this point it
need not be in doubt. The Republicans Of
this State have solved it in advance by
presenting a candidate who possesses
every element of strength and
every claim on the favorable consideration of
the party possessed by any other candidate,
with the additional one that he can and will
bring into the Republican camp this close,
doubtful, necessary State. This is Gen. Ben
jamin Harrison. In presenting him as their
candidate. and instructing their delegates to
exhaust every honorable means to secure his
nomination, the Republicans of Indiana have
been actuated only D. motives which should
influence Republicans everywhere-a knowl-
edge Of his eminent fitness, a confidence that
he can carry every State that any other Re
publican can. with the added certainty that
he can carry Indiana. In the case, as thus
presented, there is no sentiment. except in SO
Lux 90 Ocncidi AldfIisou uiuSelI represents
the best sentiments of the Republican
party from its origin to the present.
Otherwise, his candidacy rests on ba-
sis of cold and calculating politics. The
conditions and circumstances which have
pushed Indiana to the front as the pivotal
State of the coming contest have pushed Gen.
Harrison to the front as Indana's candidate.
The Republicans of Indiana will not bring
him before the convention merely to honor
him or to serve any purpose of their own,
but to serve the Republican party of the Ma
ton. AS an integral part of the great polit-
ical organization whose continued existence
may almost be said to be involved in the next
election, they are equally interested with the
Republicans of other States in the nomina-
ton of a candidate who gives the best assur-
ance of success, and, knowing General Har-
rison's strength in this State, they hold that
he is the man. They will go to Chicago
hoping that the convention will be wise
enough to see the matter in this light, and to
subordinate all other objects to the single one
of insuring success by making him the party's
standard. bearer.