The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-29
DEMOCRATS QUALIFYING FOR OFFICE.

Among all the evidences OF devotion
to party which have been given by Dem
ocrats since the recent election we have
seen none more striking than hat af-
forded by Professor Thomas Bagot, of
New Castle, Ind. There is abundant
evidence. as Mr.. Cleveland can testify,
that Democrats throughout the country
are determined to extend the next ad-
ministratiOn q cordial support in the
way of office-holding, thus assuring the
government against collapse and failure
in a vital part. but we doubt if any per-
son has shown as keen an appreciation
of the situation and as much willingness
to sacrifice his personal comfort on the
altar of patriotism as the gentleman
above named. Professor Bagot is not
merely willing to hold Office under the
next administration, but he is willing to
experience real inconvenience and dis
comfort in order to qualify himself.
Having concluded that 1t was his duty
to tender his services as minister to
Sweden, and being well assured from
a consciousness Of his own merit that.
he will receive the appointment, he has
gone into training for the position after
q novel and practical fashion. In
order to accustom himself to the
supposed rigors of the climate at
Stockholm he has been going without an
overcoat ever since the election. 1t is
possible the Professor may be somewhat
in error on this point, as the climate at
Stockholm is not extremely severe, or it
may be he thinks his duties as minister
will require him to spend a good deal of
time in Lapland, which, of course, is a
mistake. But this is not material; the
point is that, having decided to accept
the office, he has at once set about quail
flying himself for the position ina way
termination to do his duty to the best Of
his ability. Some persons would prob
ably have begun to study the language
and, perhaps, the history of the country.
but Professor Bagot evidently thinks
these can como later. The best place to
learn the language of q country is in the
country itself and among its people. He
can do that after he goes to Sweden, if
he lives, and in order to live he must be
prepared to survive the change of eli
mate. The process of becoming accli-
mated is always more or less trying, and
should be guarded against as far as pos
sible by previous preparation. 1t is not
every one who hits upon so simple and
practical a method of doing this as
Professor Bagothasdone. AssuminRth hat
in common with most citizens of In
diana he is in the habit of wearing an
overcoat in cold weather, nothing is
easier for him than to leave 1t off from
now until the inauguration of Mr.. Cleve-
land. by which time. if all goes well. he
ought to be pretty tough and able to
stand any reasonable degree of cold
without suffering. OF course he will
find that people in Stockholm wear
wraps in winter, but it will be a salts
faction TO him to go without one and
vet be able to assure his Swedish friends
that he does not feel the cold at all.
This will give them an exalted opinion
of American endurance and will prob
ably be O matter Of great surprise to his
brother diplomates from the warmer
countries of southern Europe. Besides,
there is economy in going without an
overeoat. We do not know what Pro-
lessor Bagot's pecuniary circumstances
are, but If he is not a person of some
means he may find it advisable to lay
ND n little money before starting for
Europe. Unless he receives his appoint
ment by telegraph before leaving New
Castle he may have to remain IN WASH
ington two OF three weeks before he