The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-02
CANyASSING THE NAMES
Who and What Shall the Candidate of
the Chicago Convention Be?
Int eresting Statement Of the Conditions in
Indiana-Harrison Favorably Considered
in All Directions as the Best Man.
General Harrison's Candidacy and Strength
Reasons for Indians's Choice.

- <et40
city. and had an extended conversation with
him On the political situation in the Hoosier
State. To an inquiry ~ to the general political
outlook, be said IN substances:
1.-THE Republicans are preparing for an earnest,
aggressive working campaign The party 10
harmonious, united and well organized. The
campaign will be an educational one Ia the best
sense. Tariff and temperance will be the chief
topics Of discussion, and protection will be the
w%atchword 10 both. i confidently expect gains
to the Republican party from the discussion"
docs not the prominent mention of two In
diauians-Gsneral Harrison and Judge Gresh-
am-as candidates for the presidency create .
somewhat delicate situation in the Slater
II can hardly say it does. 1t is true that
Judge Gresham retains his legal domicile in In
diana, and Is so spoken of as an Indiana man,
but for four years past he has been. practically.
q resident Of Chicago. where his judicial duties
require most of his time. tn city OF Chicago
and the State Of Illinois have brought him for
ward as . candidate; Indiana preseuts General
Harrison unanimously. Judge Gresham has
many warm friends in Indiana, but they recoR-
nizs the fact that General Harrison is the choice
Of the great mass Of the Republicans OF the
State. and they have made no contest over the
question.
of carrying the Stated Why, / think General
Harrison's much the better. We shall enter
upon the campaign with q high expectation OF
carrying the State for the nominee whoever he
may De. We are fighters from the word 60. IL
you will pay US q visit about the middle Of next
October we will give you q new conception of
red-ho'ness. But there are good reasons why
General Harrison will carry the State more
surely and by a larger majority than any other
man living. And it will not take long to tell
them.
General Harrison has taken an sctive part
IN every campaign since the war. He is . stump
speaker of the first order-combining in rare de-
gree logic, humor and pathos. HIS speeches
When Senator Morton died General Harrison
was recognized at once a. the leader OF the
party. In 1880 be was elected Senator with
scarcely a suggestion Of opposition.
''But the circumstance that have brought
him nearest to the hearts of Indiana Republic
ans are those connected with the campaign of
1886. the last We have had. In 1884 Cleveland
carried the State by about 1000. The Legisla-
ture then chosen redistricted the State In . style
Of the art that ought to redeem the reputation
OF old Governor Gerry and give q new name to
the process. The legislative districts were laid
out SO as to provide for . Democrats majority
Of forty-six on joint ballot upon the last pre-
ceding vote. TIL congressional districts we're
laid out with the view to the election of eleven
Congressman out of thirteen. Nothing could
be more discouraeine than the outlook pre-
sented at the opening OF the campaign OF 1886.
General Harrison's successor in the United
States Senate was 70 be chosen by the Legisla-
ture then TO DO elected. Isaac P. Gray, Gov
srnor Of the State, q man of great resources and
activity, was an svowed candidate on the Demo-
cratic side. But great things were depending.
1t was possible that the control Of the United
States Senate would depend on the election in
overshadowing issue. It was General Harri-
sons fight. He was himself the most couspicu-
Gus figure in the feld-ubiquitous, undauuted.
u~ntirinR. II was the most creditable campaign
ever made IN Indiana. 1t was without money,
without outside help, without the stimulus Of .
presidential or even gubernstorial contest. 1t
was 4 clean. fair. square. honest. high-up bat
tie, and tho Republicans Of Indiana were never
prouder in their lives than whom they came out
of IL with tho whole State ticket elected by an
average majority of about 1000, eleven Con-
gresSmeu out Of thirteen, and, az they &C first
thought, a majority In the Legislature. IL
turned out finally that the Democrats were able
to elect q Senator, but by q majority of two only
instead Of forty-six. a. they had counted on.
''The aggregate Republican majority on men,
bers of the lower house Was nearly 10, 000.
That was the measure Of General Harrisons
victory. But the eerrymandering had been so
effectually done that this was unavailing to Sc
cure q majority on joint ballot.
THE heat Of that campaign fingers yet In the
air of Indiana. General Harrison ought to DO
sitting in the Senate of the United States to-
ceived az the polls. The disfranchised Republic
ans Of Indiana want . chance to vote for him
again. and this time so that their votes will have
to be counted. Revenge 10 sweet always; but
when IL assumes the form OF q POLITICAL duty IL
is nectar itself. Governor Gray was the archi-
tect of the eerrymander. He devised it 10 order
TO send himself to the Senate. But the elsction
of a Republican Lieutenantg governor made that
impracticable. he 10 now in training for the
vice-,residency. And to beat Cleveland and
Gray both with Harrison would even things up
in a way that would make every Indiana Re-
publican glad that be was born. TO see the day.
"Judge Gresham holds no such relations with
the Republicans of Indiana They like him,
anA -. ,~>,,A - kso ,os~Dv;c6~ nV1h1so ro~on~
They would delight to do him honor. But they
want to fight this present battle under the old
leader. This Implies no want OF regard for
Judge Gresham. His position on the bench has
kept him out OF politics. But q mall portion OF
the Republicans of the State ever ssw him. An
. member of President Arfhur's Cabinet he at
tracted the attention and won the cordial good
will of Republicans everywhere. But he has
never held any such relations towards the Re-
puhlicaps in Indiana as General Harrison, and
does not to-day.
These circumstances explain why IL 10 that
Indiana is unanimously for Harrison 10 prefer
ence to Gresham, as declared by her State con-
~vention. and every district convention except
one, and that elected delegates OF the same
mind. I have found many Republicans in the
East who have not followed the course Of events
in Indiana for the past few years. and who we're
not In situation to appreciate the present state
OF Affairs. But il appears to me that anyone
who will consider these circumstances win see
good reason Why things should DO just as they
are in that State.
s'The great body of the Republicans Of Indt-
ana will DO grievously disappointed il Harrison
should be rejected and Gresham nominated
They can see no reason Why it should be done.
General Harrison's fitness for the odice, his
high character. his devotion to Republican prin
ciples and his ability to carry the full Repub-
lican vote everywhere are not TO be questioned.
His rejection in favor of Judge Gresham will
seem like q slap in the face Of the man who 10
nearer to them just now than anyone else.
Notwithstanding this. Judge Gresham would
undoubtedly receive the hearty support OF the
party in Indiana. / Am not willing to believe
that . single Republican would go to the polls
and not vote for him. But there 10 Q sort Of
fiery zeal with which men compass land and
sea to make . proseiyts and hunt voters from
every corner of the precinct on election day. 90
adog hunts game In the thieket. which comes
only from a sense Of political duty joined to per-
sonal affection for the man. And in q State ~
close as Indiana this latter element OF the can
vass is too important 20 be ignored II is posi-
ble-too possible TO- be overlooked, that it
might be decisive Of the whole vast Issue. Gen.
Harrison's name At the head of the ticket will
impart that quality to the canvass ia Indiana;
Judge Greshamis viii not
ITO my mind the considerations that ought to
Affect our choice of a presidential candidate are
not those which we like best to recognize. They
are scarcely personal ~ all; almost mathemat-
zeal. Cleveland wants 20r votes TO be elected.
The 153 cast by the South can be- counted for
him now as well as any time. think the
chances are greatly against us in New York.
The vote of that State would give him SO more.
maxine 180 Eieveu mora wou1d aIaas HIN T.,