The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-22

Colonel BridgIands Estimate of General
Harrison's Strength and Chances.
Chicago Mail. Tuesday.
Senator Ben Harrison. Indiana's favorite son
and candidate for the presidency before tie Re-
publican national convention, is at the Grand
Pacific. He is to speak at the banquet of the
Marquette Club at the Grand Pacific tonight in
response to the toast 1.-THE Republican Party"
General Harrison is accompanied by Col. j. A.
Bridgland, of Richmond, who was consul at
Havre, France under three Republican Presi-
dents, and Capt. d. Nj. RansdelI. of Indianapolis,
a member of the Indiana State central COM
mittee.
Senator Harrison seen by reporter for
the Mail to-day. 81 am in such position that
/ cannot be interviewed" said the ex-senator.
II am to speak to the toast The Republican
Party That is a very comprehensive subject,
both prospective and retrospective. To outline
my speech tonight would scarcely be courteous
to the club. On political questions, | really
cannot speak for publication. The only thing
l can say is that Indiana is we'll organized by
the Republican party and will cast her electoral
vote for the nominee of the Republican conven-
tion."
Colonel Bridgland was mora talkative: tsGen
HARRISON will carry Indiana overwhelmingly
both at the election of delegates to the national
convention aud at the polls sh ould he be nomi-
mated" said Colonel Bridglano.
THAT General Harrison is the choice of In
diana is conceded His friends think he would
be the strongest man the Republicans could
nominate, and in saying this / mean dis
parggement of Judge Gresham. General Har-
rson ylll get the vote of Indiana and of many
of the Southern States, and he is unquestionably
the second choice of a majority of those States
which have candidates to present to the con-
ventlon themselves In the coming convention
the man who is the second choice of the greatest
number is really the strongest candidate. as
delegations will turn TO his support when they
their own candidate cannot be nominated.
Any candidate o strength In the Southern States
may be weakness in the convention, but it
will be of strength afterward, as it
will leave him. if nominated. Independent of
the ambitious political leaders of the
North, and any obligations he may owe
to the South for his nomination
may be easily repaid. as those States will prob
ably give him but few electoral votes Now, /
know that General Harrison will be the second
choice of many of the States who have favorite
sons, and while no systematic canvass has been
made, we are in a position to know that he is
the strongest man yet named for the presidency
Senator Harrieon's record Republican and
soldier is of the highest character. There
not blemish on 1T. He can invite the criti-
csm of the entire press of the United States.
He can be used as an aggressive candidate. The
party attack with him, not merely act on tbs
defensive. He has no enemies Judge Gresham
has. He has been il a position where he could
not help but autagoniZe powerful interests
meaning the railroads-swhils General Harrison
has been always identified with the people of the
United States at large.
ITO show you how popular General Harrison
is in his own State will just tell you that in
the campaign of 1884 it took $500, 900 TO
carry the State of Indiana for Gar
field although the Democrats speat
500, 900 in the attempt to beat US. Well. in
1886, although the Democrats had the State by
a large majority, General Harrison went into
the fight on principle only, and we carried the
State at total expense to thu campaign
mittee of 81, 600. General Harrison 10 a poor
man and cannot afford to fight with money, and
does not want to. Despite his six years in Con-
gress he is worse off financially than when
he went into that body. General Harrison and
his friends will make attack on any other
candidate. and when the convention LAYS down
its platform and names its choice for President
General Harrison and his admirers will support
both with all the ability he and they possess"
Captain Ransden said: Il have been q mem
Der of the State central committee for years,
and when speak of the feeling in the State
know the facts. General Harrison is the choice
of our people by overwhelming majority. He
is true Republican, pure patriot, and an
hop ma