The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-04-21
NO EXPLANATION NEEDED.

There appears TO be some curiosity as
to the object of the President in making
a tour at this time through the South
west and to the Pacific coast. Many
people cannot assign a personal reason
for such journey, and when personal
reason, affecting individual interests.
cannot be found, they are completely at
sea. They say that General Harrison,
if looking for reelection, cannot hope
for an electoral vote in Virginia, Geor-
gia, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas or
Texas, and then they go on to say that
it ia not in the nature of things that the
President should want to take SO much
pains to see the people who are pOlit-
ically hostile. Consequently, the Presi-
dents tour is more puzzle the longer
they ponder over it. But those who
Judge of the Presidents motives from a
higher point of view than mere self-inter-
est can find reasons in abundance which
might lead him to take the long journey
he is making. Many people in the South
have been led to believe that Repub-
lican Presidents have little interest in
them or their welfare. There is no
reason for such feeling, but it exists rs
one of the lingering memories of the re-
bellion. This being the case, Repub-
lican President could not adopt more
patriotic course than to visit the people
of that section, meet them by tens of
thousands, aud show by act and word
hot oh ind
garding such President are ground
less. General Harrison has met the
people of the South with such sincere
and earnest good will that he has dis
armed all prejudice and called forth a
genuine response. 1t is not probable
that the President expected to make q
Republican voter, but it is fact that he
did hope to obllterate some prejudices,
to soften some asperities and to do
something to strengthen the bond
of nationality. This being his OBJ
| ject, all patriotic men will see
sufficient reasons to impel him to
meet the people of that section In
deed. a patriotic President would feel
that no duty could be more imperative.
The tenor of General Harrison's speeches
shows that he has taken that broad and
elevated view of the ma tier. while the
| generous responses of the Southern peO-
pie prove that they appreciate his mo-
tives. Again, the President of the
Republic should make it part of his
duty to visit different parts of the coun-
| try, for the reason that he needs the best
possible information respecting the pe0-
pie of all sections. Heretofore the jour-
neys of Presidents have been chiefly
limited to large cities. No President has
ever visited Alabama, Arkansas or
I Texas. No President has met the peo-
pie of the new States of the Pacific
coast and the Dakotas. To the people
| of these vast sections of the country the
President is scarcely more than a tradi-
ton. By such visits the President will
be inspired by broader conceptions OF
the Republic, and the devotion of the
people to their government will be
quickened by meeting it's chief repre-
| sentative. No; there is no personal pol
itics in the Presidents journey, but all
fair-minded people who read of the well
comes he receives and carefully note the
| speeches he makes will be satisfied that
his journey has evoked a great deal OF
national sentiment.