The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-07-09

He Says Harrison Will Garry Indtana-E
Popularity In the State.

GOVERNOR PORTER TALKS.
He Says Harrison VIII Carry Indiana-His
Popularity In the State.
New York Mail and Express.
Ex-Governor and probably the next Governor.
Albert q. Porter, of Indiana, was called upon
recently by reporter for the Mail and Express,
at his pleasant home on North Tennessee street.
indianapolis. The Governors greeting was
warm and cordial He was quite willing to talk
about General Harrison, with whom he was
formerly associated in the law business. aud
related some of the causes which tend to make
Indiana doubtful State, that may prove inter
esting to our readers.
81 do not feel warranted in speaking of the
great question that will form the subjects for
argument between the two parties during the
coming campaign" said Mr.. Porter. "owing to
the fact that for the past three years l have
lived the life of recluse. almost totally disas-
sociated from politics. and intent only the
compilation OF history of the State. The
farmers Of our State are, contrary to the gen.
eral opinion which prevails, close reasoners, and
In my Judgment are better posted on political
matters than any similar class OF people in the
East. For this reason think il would be pre-
mature to express any ideas on the subject, es-
pscially as General .Harrison's letter of accept
ance has not yet been formulated but when il
does appear, it will be the signal for the COM
mencenent OF one of the fercess campaigns ever
witnessed in Indiana, and that 10 saying good
deal
From the 7th of July, at which time it is ex-
pected that General Harrison's letter of accept
will be issued, until the closing of the polls
on Nov. g. the State will be delueed with flood
OF oratory, both argumentative and persuasive.
such as will be heard in no other State IN the
Union. You have never witnessed q Campaign
in Indiana? Well. 1 can tell you that your cleo
tions In the East are very tame affairs In COM
parson with them. The strain on the candi-
dates Is very severe indeed. il being sometimes
necessary for them to rise as early as o'clock
in the morning, making addresses at several
towns. which are often far apart; and ending by
participating ia Joint debate with the opposing
candidate. before audiences more critical
than demonstrative, and who will be carried
by argument and plain talk only, and not by
pyrotechnical outbursts of oratory delivered in
illimitable space. The days on which these de-
bates are held is made special occasion, and
the farmers in the neigh borhood for miles
around flock thither in large numbers, often ac-
companied by their female relatives. who also
take immense amout of interest IN political
matters. While the debate is proceeding be-
tween the different candidates heated discuss
ions often break out amongst those present in
the audience, and l have heard those amongst
the latter argue the subject with the strength.
and grasp. and intelligence OF the candidates
themselves
"ais enemies say, Governor Porter, that Gen
eral Harrison will not carry Indiana any more
this time than he did when he was nominated
for Governor. How is thisl" asked our report
"That is sheer nonsense" said Governor Por-
ter. ut is true that General Harrison was not
elected but he made fight under the most un-
favorable circumstances, such as no other man
in the State, Republican or Democrat. could
have made. He had not only to combat the
Democrats, under the lead of Blue Jeans
Williams. man whose ability is and was great
ly underestimated, and who appeared in public
In pair of blue-jesu overalls, but he had to
contend against the boiling of the ticket by the
of nth Rap
candidate. who declined after he was nominated
and the convention adjourned, and whose name
was taken of the ticket owing to some preiudices
and charges about Venezuela matters. when he
was minister there. Then General Harrison. at
the last moment, and against his previous
declination and without his knowledge. and
while ne was absent recreating in the woods of
Lake Superior, WAS substituted as the candidate
by the State committee. Nobody else could
have polled as many votes under the circum-
stances, as did General Harrison. He lost it by
q very small number, and he was only defeated
by Barnum's money pouring in here at the close
as If his barrel had had its head knocked out.
SNste pride is very strong in Indiana, and what
the name of Hendricks did for the Democrats
four years ago. by arousing the enthusiasm OF
the people of the State, so will that of Harrison
do and more. too, for the Republican party this
year.
las an instance of the affection in which the
people of this State hold General Harrison, l
will say that. before he entered the army, Ben
Harrison was elected by the people to the office
of official Reporter of the Supreme Court of In
diana When he departed for the war new
election was ordered on the ground that no one
can hold two Offices under the government
When the election was held it was found that
be was again elected, and when he returned
from the war he found his commission awaiting
him. He resigned the Office after to begin
the practice of the law, and there are but few,
either on the bench or at the bar, who excel him
in his profession. His record is one that will
continue to grow the brighter as it is exposed to
view, and in his home affairs he is particularly
happy and felicitious."
"Will protection be made the leading issue in
this Slater
SWELL, will say that believe the people Of
the State are awake to the danger which any
modification in the tariff would bring. We are
o young country out here and IL the manufac-
turers in the East who have had hundred years
the start of Us, cannot stand free trade it 10
pretty certain that any innovation In that d.
rection would not help our people any"
'How is it, Governor Porter that Of all the
free Western States. Indiana is alone doubtfulP
There are q number of causes, but think
the principal one will be found in the fact that
of all the free Western States Indiana has been
settled more largely by Southerners, and a less
proportion of people from New England
Large strips of land extending clear across the
State of Ohio were owned by Now Englanders
and sold to and settled by people Of those States
who are always Republicans. The same is also
When in 1853 this State, in common with other
of the Western States which bordered on the
slave States. passed a law prohibiting the negro
from making contracts and abridgiug his rights
in every way, il was not expected that IL would
DO necessary to repeal the Objectionable
laws and confer on the black man all the privil-
eyes of citizenship SO soon When this was
done after the war, these descendants OF the
early settlers from the Sonth i'm Immediately
turned their backs on the Republican party.
with whom they had formerly affiliated, and
went over to the Democracy. who did not believe
in freedom when it was made Co include the ne
gro, aud with whom they have very generally
remained ever since OF course, the race ques-
ton is not 90 prominent as it is in the South,
and so We are able to carry the State occasion
ally by the force Of right and by the weight of
reason, which our people are able to see and un-
prsjudiced enough to follow their convictions in
voting"
Governor Porter is the gentleman who pre-
scented General Harrison's name to the Repub-
lican national convention at Chicago, and. OF
course. takes pardonable pride In the fact that
the convention thought as he did and accepted
his man. In 1880. Mr.. Porter was elected Gov
ernor of his State on the Republican tickerby
majority of over Z, 200. which is unusual ma
jority for any candidate to receive in Indiana
His selection for Governor at the forthcoming
election would add great strength 10 the ticket
ia that State, and with the names Of Harrison
and Morton the national ticket. and Porter
on the State ticket for Governor and Gen. Lew
Wallace for Lieutenant governor, Republican
success in Indiana ought to become assured
Democracy and Workinemen.