The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-26

this So beet they will find that they have been
very greatly mistaken. / feel too deep an Inter
est in the history. the past record and the fut-
ure of the Democratic party of Indiana to be
silent upon so grave a question. and cannot
believe that the representatives of that party
who meet here this week will sacrihce Its honor
and its dignity to the ambition of one man.
In the last three national conventions Indiana
has been favored by being presented in the
second place the PRESIDENT al ticket. but IN
every instance II has been the act Of the nation
al convention, unsought by the Democratic
party of Indiana aud unsolicited by Its epre-
sentatives in those conventions It may be that
the convention at St. Louis may dnd it TO be
the meet and proper thing TO select q candi date
for Vice-president from this State, but it should
be the act of the national convention. and the
delegates that your convention send to it should
be left free and untram meled to act for the best
interests of the party. States compe te for presi-
dental honors. but it is peculiarly the duty of the
national convention to select the vice-president
tial candidate. and should distrust the fitness
of any one for that position who should become
actively q candidate for it. In making that
selection the convention ought not to be in any
manner trammeled by instructions, nor in
hnenced by opportunities. 1t is no compliment
to the person selected. detriment to the DEM
ocratic party of the State from which he is
chosen; it is a burden imposed upon them with
out any corresponding benefit unless the con-
tipgeucies for which the Office was created
should happen that is, a vacancy In the presi-
Dental Office. and no right minded man would
seek the position in the hope of any such event
as that.
l have already suggested that it is possible
the national convention may again select from
Indiana a vice presidential candidate. but why
should there be any attempt, on the part OF the
Democracy of the State, TO forestall that selec-
ton? The convention should be left untram-
meled to select from the hundred or more de-
voted lifelong Democrats of the State whose
character and ability entite them to such no nor
the selection would confer. feel more free
dom in speaking plainly TO you from the fact
that shall never again be candidate or APP
plicant for any Office, and. therefore, you must
know that what have said upon this subject is
prompted only by the interest l feel in
the welfare of that grand OLD party of which it
has always been my pride 10 be member.
/ have spoken TO many Democrats, and find
none who do not agree with me, but there is a
reluctance on the part of most men to speak out,
lest il might have injurious effect on the har-
mony of the party No member of the Demo
cratic party takes deeper interest in its har-
mony and success than / do but even that
should not be purchased at the expense OF the
honor and dignity of the party. President
Cleveland will undoubtedly be renominated, and
will be elected unless weighed down by q run
ming mate such the movement in this State
IN favor of Governor Gray proposes to furnish
him. The Democratic party of Indiana has il
in its power to carry the State, but has no mar
gin to spare in a vain endeavor to feed the
insatiate ambition of Governor Gray, whose
political record shows higher purpose or aim
than personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and whose cry
since ne has connected himself with the Demo-
cratic party has been that of the horse-leech,
and whose plate like that OF Oliver Twist, 10
always s'held mp for more"
JOSEPH E. MCDONALD.