The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-02
VOICES FOR GEN. HARRISON
Maryland Claims the Honorof Original
ly Suggesting Harrison and Hawley.
Favorable Endorsements From Vermont to
California-No Other Man Mentioned
With so Widespread Popularity.
A Nomination from Maryland Made Four
Years Ago


TO tho Editor Of the Indianapolis Journal.
In your issue OF the 10Th inst. you quote from
"W. Fl. S." in the Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zetts saying that in November last Congress
man Owen expressed him self in favor of Har-
rison and Hawley: esHe was the first to couple
the names of Harrison and Hawley in that con-
nection."
venture the prediction that after our con-
vention in June next it will be claimed as an
honor to have first made that suggestion. And
want to put in my claim now. In the fall of
1882 wrote the inclosed Communication; but
/ then doubted the wisdom of it's publication,
In view of the doubt had as to the result of
of the Congressional elections then near at hand
The editors withheld it, at this suggestion, and
January following il was sent to me TO be re-
cast, so as to omit much as in its form and
expression had reference the situation exss-
ing before the fall elections. It was rewritten
and appeared as you it in the issue of
The American, of Philadelphia. Feb. 10, 1883
The concluding sentence, az I wrote it, and
while in the form of . comm unication," it was
intended somewhat of an editorial indorse-
ment, was IN substance Il do not now have the
manuscript, and speak from memory onlyl
May We not offer Harrison and Hawlsy en-
bodying the highest aims of the best men of the
party" 1t was deemed better to omit, this last
sentence, as going further than at such time it
was wise to go in advocacy of General Harrison.
But think this the first formal suggestion
OF such ticket l have not forgotten my first
love. Years have served only to increase in me
the conviction that such ticket would be
ideally perfect and that it would justify adding,
as IL certainly would secure Congressman
Owens's third H-Harrison, Hawley land Har-
mony.
You can make such use of this as you please
Would it not be a good thing to reprint the
communication have confidence enough In
the drift of public sentiment 20 say, send me
the journal until the campaign closes with the
election of Harrison and Hawley.
ALBERT SMALL.
HAeERsTowN, Nd, March 20.
The communication referred to is as follows:
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
To the Editor of the American.
The name of General Benjamin Harrison,
junior Senator from Indiana, is being SO men,
toned connection with the Republican presi-
Dental nomination for 1884 as TO challenge the
attention of that increasing body of independ-
ents which will as it should, have an influential
voice concerning the matter That l may be
fairly understood, let me say here that hope
for his nomination. and think the influences
now operating, unless there shall be some
and unexpected developments in political move
mont, will most certainly led up to it.
So far as Identification with the principles
proclaim and support is concerned. few, proba-
bly,, will hesitate TO take Senator Harrison a
thorough and sufficient exponent Other ques-
tons, however, enter into the matter of leader
ship, and we must weigh faculties and capabili-
ties. Happily, he has had much light thrown
upon his character during his public career. He
has already come to be regarde9 of the
most efficient and trustworthy members of the
Senate. Lursd by no glitter, stopped by
sponsibility, turned aside by no false issue, he
has shown himself of strong and clear
convictions. and with all the courage Z hey
bring. He has brought the best qualities of
the soldier in the field into the contests of the
forum; and those who recall nis illustrious pro-
eenitor of 184l see in the descendant-the grand
son-the same character and power. His pro-
fessioual career, to those who know 1t; confirms
the opinion. which bis public life justifes
"ThoroughT is the watch-word of his life. AS
to bis political experience, it Is enough to know
that the victory which wrested from do1ot
in Indiana in October, 1880, saved US the presi-
dency in November. That it was largely due to
his efforts was evinced in his being chosen Sen
ator by the Legislature then elected. Such a
movement as this will not need its leader 70 be
skilled beyond all others in the management of
political details: it is enough if he has practical
experience of the necessary systematic work.
In all matters of personal qualification, and as
an honest and entire embodiment of tho aims
and desires of the independent Republicans of
the day. probably no man stands forward more
prominently and so entirely without autagoniz-
ing relations. To these may be added that with
dif6dencs which forbids his advancing his own
interests presenting himself the claimant
of honor or reward, slngularly obivous of his
own weight and merit, he yet has the element
not so much of magnetism as of inspiring
just that sort OF confidence in his integrity,
consclsntiousness, courage and reserved power
which was so eminently characteristic of our
lamentsd Garfield To some it is known that
q half hour before the nomination Was made at
chicago, SeI-aOneRat1on,
General Harrison could have bsen put forward
the only hope of g compromise which would
have united all fActions) And this is quality
better than ''magnetiam;" in President Gar
fields case it proved the basis of enthusiasm
which grew into an intensity so pervading and
solemn as made it a common grief to the
whole civilized world when he was stricken
down. So, too. his military career is not the
''bloody shirt but the highest development of
patriotism-the recognition that the peril of
the nation may call for the sacrifice of even the
home and family. But one further considera-
tion-that OF geographic and political locality.
remains; and again. as IL 1880, circumstances
seem to point to either New York of Indiana
New York is now, and for years may be. dis
tracted; for such men and such evils as now rest
as q blight upon her are not destroyed in day.
10 there not enough in this view to justify
one in saying if this be true horoscope.
may not only hope for, but confidently expect,
his nomination. How then, shall we most safe
ly contribute to this end, and when shall We be-
gin2 nave such experience in political
manipulstions as to justify discussion from this
point of view. But our cause, If 1t be just will
move on with less of the customary machinery
than is demanded for others. 1t certainly needs
no paid claqueurs and sounding shibboleth
the virtue and righteousness of its principles
will commend it more readily and characterize
it moro clearly than any of its supporters. Yet,
for unity of purpose. for certainty of concsntra-
tion in aim and effort. organization 10 needed,
and organization requires a head. A leader
makes point for capitalization. Is there any
one. in whose support we may unite, who offers
more of the qualities needed. with SO little that
will antaRoniZe elements which must be COM
binedl
In ls41 President Harrison in his inaugural
rointed out the evils then beginning to Rnaw at
the vitals of the Republic. Sudden death for
babe his making the effort to correct them. The
evils have grown to threaten the security of the
Commonwealth; and the signs of the times
seem to point to the grandson as the fit one for
the work be intended but prevented doing.
FEB. l, 1888 s.
Nebraska 10000 for Harrison.
Tecumseh tNeb) Republican.
The TecumseL Neb.l Republican. published by our
old friend A. B. Ball, ex-auditor of Kosciusko
ty swings at it's masthead the of Gen. Ben
Harrison for President. Good for Bro. BaI.-Col-
umbia City Commercial
We not only Swing" the name OF General
Harrison At our masthead but il Indiana will