The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-02
THE ANTl-HARRISON PEOPLE
How Their Action in Indiana Impresses
Republicans at the National Capital.
Premsture-Judge J. n. Wilson Expresses
Himself in Pointed Language.
special to the Indianapolis Journal.

mont he bears mention of the action OF GER
tain Republicans in Indiana who are try
ing to effect al organization for the pur-
pose of defeating the denomination of Pres
ident Harrison. The anlmus of the move
ment. its unexampled and premature char
acter are commented upon every where.
Every step taken by those in the move
menti is promptly wired to the press of this
city and heralded by Democratic corre-
spondents to the most r,mote sections of
the country for general effect. 1t has been
the custom, from State pride. if nothing
else, for the Presidents party within his
own State, especially. to uphold and
strengthen his position before the country
if he has proven himself worthy of party
support. 1t has always. till now, been left
to the opposing party to take the initiative
in comprising the defeat of a president or
to retire him. SO far as his native State is con-
cerned. but a small coterie of Hoosiers have
made a spectacle before the country which
makes every true Indianian hang his head
with shame, especially if he be away from
home and hears the subject mentioned from
without the State.
Republicans in Washington from Indiana
who have not received reward for fealty to
the President personally or the party for
labor in the memorable campaign of 1855.
but who are proud of the President, do not
hesitate to say that the effort being made
to defeat a denomination. even before he
has asked for q second term, Is a shame,
puny though the effort may be, for Presi-
dent HARRISON has done nothing and has
left nothing undone, as q gentleman or a
Repu blican, to merit such treatment from
any direction. much less his own State.
THE MOVEMENT PREMATURE.
Every one suggests that this movement
should at least have been deferred till q
second term was asked for, and that this
| untimelv haste is indecent and un-Repub-
lican. ndian has in Washington a large
colony of citizens who are in no way con-
nected with the federal service. Some of
them have served as Cabinet officers. others
In Congress. and yet others in civil capaci-
ties where they have won fame or fortune.
Quite all of them are pronounced Repub-
licans. and they go home every two years
to vote and work for the party. All
nngs may h of dois sSn'e things .. polite ihe
ical and otherwise. and they can
find no language in which to apologize for
the work which has been going on In the
State for months past to thwart any steps
which the party at large might want to
take to insure success in the way of q cam
didate next year. They are unable to COM
, prehend it, or any part of it. Decency. If
not justice. would suggest delay In such a
movement till 1t twas seen the work was
necessary for the purpose desired or the
ends to he met.
The Hon.. jeremiah NJ. Wilson, who
served the. State so we'll III Congress from
the Sixth district. is one of the foremost
lawyers at the bar here now. He has not
received, and does not expect, political re-
ward. and Is under no personal obligation
I'd this administration. He is, however,
proud of the distinction achieved by one OF
his fellow-citizens. and he deprecates the
steps which are being taken against the
popularity of the President in his native
State. He recognizes, as other Hoosiersd do.
the names of most of the opposition within
the party IN the State as those who op-
posed General Harrison In 1888. He recog-
nizes, too. among the new opponents
the names of Republicans who sought
places under President Harrison. Judge
Wilson said to-day that he did not attach
q great deal OF Importance to this move
ment, but it's weakness and the causes be-
hind IL did not mitigate its shame. Il can
not think hat any considerable number of
| Republicans will so commit themselves to
this movement as to make IL have any
weight said Judge Wilson, "for the great
mass of Indiana Republicans are such on
" 40 - w ~
there shonld be some dissatisfaction.
There are worthy. earnest men who have
labored for the success of the party: men
OF merit who have been disappointed and
feel aggrieved. Personally. l do not know
of any of them in this movement.
] but l feel confident that they cannot or
ganize any considerable following against
President Harrison. | say this because
in point of ability he is at least the equal
of any man IN the Nation: that he has the
integrity and firmness to do what he deems
to be his duty, regardless OF consequences
to himself; that he has borne himself In his
office in a manner not only to silence criti-
cism. but to compel admiration, even from
political opponents. In all the history of
the government there has never been q
cleaner administration, nor an ADLER one, OF
public affairs.
| THE PROSPECT FOR 1892.
1.-THE party will 20 into the campaign of
1892 with nothing to apologize for and
much to challenge the admiration n con-
| fdence of the people. The Republicans of
Indiana" continued Judge Wilson. warm
ing up to his subject, read and think: they
know what is transpirIng. They know
when a public man is doing his duty faith
fully, and they stand by him. l believe i
can say l know this. for. in the past year, !
4 u6tC OCOn - StCob 0Od dhiO ~
ers, merch ants. mechanics, all ciasses-in a
considerable portion of the State. and
l know that they keep up with
the time. and L venture to say tho mass OF
them have a pride that Indiana has given
the country q President worthy of the
office and the Nation. and it is for this rea-
son that it seems to me any opposition "a
him in Indiana will be meager in numbers"
Judge Wilson was asked il he thought
the movement would grow materially
should any new turn be- taken.
The more it is agitated." he replied, 1.-THE
less it will grow" State pride. a sense OF
Justice, but, above oil. a feeling that the
administration of public affairs 10 in
safe. conservative hands will keep the
masses ont of combinations against him
that cannot be- organized or any assump.
tion of failure on his part to fully meet the
requirements of his high Office. and com.
binations on any other ground cannot. in
my Judgment. be very formidable. l very
rarely see him since he became President.
j know him Just as the people know him,
through his pub bile acts. and he has i'm
pressed ne as | believe lie has impressed
them. If this opposition is grounded or
disappointments of individuals or personal
animOsities il will prove to be small IN
Numbers. and | am unable to see any Other
basis upon which II can be organized
PERRY s. HEATH.