Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-05
GENERAL WALTER @ GRESHAM.
Some Interesting Facts About His His
tory as a Citizen, Soldier and
Statesman.

WICHITA, kaS., June 4, 1888.
To the Editor of the Eagle.
No man i'll the country today stands
before the people with a cleaner record
than General Walter Q. Gresham. 1t
may be safe to say, that if he receives
the nomination for president he will car
~ into the coming political camDrign as
much enthusiasm as did Abraham Lin
coin or General Grant. Like Lincoln he
has stepped forth from the ranks OF the
common people without money and
without illustrlouS ancestors, 10 become
leader of men. AS a citizen, soldier
and iurist, his record is spotleSs and there
is no manlier man. | have known Wal
ter @. Gresham since 1856. | knew HIM
as citizen OF Harrison county, Indiana,
and knew him as q soldier. In the
early days OF 1861 / saw him clad in the
uniform OF private soldier inspired by
the fires OF patriotism, gathering re-
cruitS for the tifty-third Indiana volun-
teers. Ii was with this regiment that he
gained distinction as gallant officer
l. was then that | saw gray
haired fathers and weeping mothers
take him by the hand ana with stain
mering voices ask him to care for tIer
sons as best he could on the held OF Dat
tie. He gave them The promise. After
this | saw him CALAMITY leading his
forces. in the hottest oi the ignt and L
saw him on the long anu tlreaome
marches. | nave known hIm to place ii
disabled soldier on Ills morse Wniit he
would fall into line anu march on with
the BOYS. at the same time giving TO each
and every one words or encouragement.
His promise was fulfilled. As a soldler
General GreSham'S vaior was only sur
passed bv his modesty and his hrmne5S
in action yielded only to his compassion
for his PROSTATE foe. In battle there
was ALWAYS calm bearing about him
such as we always find III man who Is
conscious that he IS fighting for what lie
deems to be right. In this respect Grant
and Gresham were much alike and they
were always firm and lasting friends.
All through the war Gene al Gresham g
wisdom was conspicuous. No prejudice
ever swayed his conduct; no hopes of re-
ward or favor ever made him knuckle to
superiors in office His rapid promotion
was caused by a recognition of his
abilities as a commander. AT the
Z
returned to his home in southern Indiana
and after practicing law for time at
New Albany he again entered the field
OF politics. Like all great leaders he nat
uraIlv made some enemies, and these
enemies in Indiana were found in the
Republican camp. Ben Harrison and a
few of his followers were enyious of
Gresham. In these battles the general
never unsheathed his sword, but his sar-
casm was severe and often ntolerably
burning. These opposers came to the
front for time, but now Harrison Is but
little spoken of outside of his own city
and state. In few years
he will probably become a
moderately successful ward politician
in Indianapolis. As jurist on the
bench Judge Gresham's sincerity is seen
in all his decisions. Corrupt men and
political boodlers, schemers and trick
sters dare not approach him. His eie-
CANT manners. his well known probity,
his high talents and his munificence and
generosity have all conspired to make
him one of the most popular men in the
country. And with all these qualifica-
tons. we find him in the rank and file,
marching along with the common peo-
pie.
The old soldiers of both political
parties will again rally round his STAN
dard. and if Gresham receives the NOM
ination for president he viii undoubtedly
lead the Republican party on TO victory.
r. T.. RYAN.