The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-02-24

All the way from Indianapolis there
comes q touching story Of Mugwump
purity and self renunciation on the part
OF coming cabinet officer: one which is
well calculated to fire the Mugwump
heart and touch the Democratic sympa-
thles deeply. at the same time making
both, by indirection, "solid for Grover"
The tale is the tale of nightgown, and
that nightgown Is Judge Walter Queerboy
Gresham's own little nightie. Whether
the garment was hand painted or en-
broidered, or just plain gusseted and
banded, the Indianapolis chronicler fails
to state, but 1t must have been just from
the hands of the laundress or laundry
man. for he records that It was "white."
But we are getting ahead Of our story
the tale of the tail of the "nightis" of e
great man. The narrative comes from
Judge e. C. Field, of Crown Point, Ind.
who was delegate to the Republican
convention In Chicago in 1885," To the
reporter who asked him about Judge
Gresham's appointment, Field said he
was "rejoiced over the promotion" To
settle the question OF Gresham's loyalty
10 the tariff doctrine his friends desired
that the Inter Ocean" at Chicago should
publish an editorial showing he was
strong high tariff man. SO Field visited
William Penn Nixon, the editor. at Il
D. M, on 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 reckoned
without their host. for when, after Mr.
Nixon had poured out his matter foi
Judge Gresham's glorIflcation, the eau
tlous instincts of the editor took the plac
sought to assure himself. be
fore putting the matter into
tgptt lilthN thO otultiilcito WNAO iNuiiy uu
thorized by Gresham. Field had to ad
nit that he hadn't seen him. "Tha,
won't do. I guess you don't know thu
Judge very WE'LL" said the editor, ant
then Field did what he ought to have
done frst-called up the judge from hi'
slumbers In the Palmer House. and
asked him.
''He stood before us In his white night
robe, the embodiment OF purity" says
Judge Field. II told him what had been
done and assured him that the publica.
tlon by his authority would secure his
nomination and election. There was a
pause. and Gresham looked handsomer
and braver than I ever saw him, as he
politely informed them that president or
no president they could not print that
editorial with his consent because do
not believe in It, and 1t is better that ]
should not be nominated than to com
nit 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
great republican doctrine. But that is
merely incidental. The main point really
is his bravery and beauty as he stood In
his pure white night robe ut couldn't
have been embroidered or polka dotted
after alD and put away the temptation OF
presidential power. Caesar on the Luz
percal refusing kingly crown. wasn't
lin IT, with Gresham. refusing to barter
the political principles which were even
then bubbling in his breast. for Presl-
dency. II he could always look his hand
soonest and bravest. as bents member