The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
GRESHAM In HIS "NIGHTIE..
Futher Details of that Night Episode When
He Refused the Crown

futner Details OF that Night Episode When
He Refused the Crown.
Brooklyn Standard Union.
All the way from Indianapolis there
comes touching mugwump purity and
self-renunciatIon on the part OF coming
Cabinet officer: one winch is well cslculat-
ed TO ire the mugwump heart and touch the
Democratic sympatbies deeply at the same
time. making both. by indirection, solid
for Grover
The tale is tho tale of a nightgown, and
that nightgOwn is Judge Walter Queerboy
Gresham's own little nightie. Whether
the garment was handpainted OF en-
broldered. or Just plain gussetted and
banded. the indianapolitsn chronicler fails
to state. but 10 must have been just from
the hands of the laundress OF laundryman,
for be records that IL was white"
But we are getting ahead of our story
the tale of the tail OF the mi htie" of o
great man. The narrative comes from
Judge L. G. Field. of Crown Point. Ind,
who was delegate TO the Republican
convention at Chicago in 1885, 10 the re-
porter who asked him about Judge
Gresham's appointment, Judge Field
said he was reloIced over his pro-
motion" and denied the allegation of polit-
zeal perfidy made against him by certain
papers TO settle the question of Gresham's
10y atty TO the tariff doctrine his friends de-
sired that the Inter Ocean should publish
an editorial showing that no was q strong
high tariff man. SO. with Ma jor Calkins
and Senator Graham, Judge Field visited
Mr.. Nixon. the editor. at IL p. NJ. of the
night before the convention and induced
him TO write an editorial article which
left no loophole TO doubt Judge
Gresham's soundness on the tariff
question" But. alas, they had reck-
oned without their host. for when, after
Mr.. Nixon had poured out his gray matter
for Gresham's glOrifcation the cautious in-
stincts of the editor took the place of en-
thusiasm. and he gently sought 20 assure
himself, before putting the matter into
type. that the statements were really au-
thorized by Judge g.. the committee bad
to admit that they hadn't seen him. That
won't, dol guess you don't know the
Judge very WELL" said the editor. and then
the committee did what they should have
done first-called up the Judge from his
slumbers in the Palmer House, and asked
him.
He stood before us in his white night.
robe, the embodiment of purity" says
Judge Field. Major Calkins told him
what had been done. and assured him that
the publication by his authority would
secure his nomination and election"
There was pause" says the delegate
Judge, 'and the Judge the nIght-robed
ever saw him." as he politely informed
them that president or no President"
they couldn't PRINT that editorial with his
consent. because | do not believe IN It,"
and lit ls better that should not be nom-
mated than to commit myself to that
doctrine"
Mr.. Nixon. the editor was justified. and
Mr.. Field, the delegate, was proven no
Judge at all. Gresham was not sound on
the great Republican doctrine from way
back. But that is merely incidental; the
real point Is his bravery and beauty
as he stood in his pure white night
robe liz couldn't have been embroid.
cred or polka dotted, after all.l and
pnt away the temptation of presidential
power. Caesar on the Lupercal. refusing n
kingly crown, wasn't lin IL" with Gresham
refusing to barter the P0pulistic principles
which were even then bubbling In his
breast for a presidency, even one with q
big L. If he would always look his hand
soonest and bravest, as BELTS q member of
Cleveland's pure hand of new saints. Judge
Gresham should hereafter never fail to APP
pear in his white night robe on public oc-
casions.