The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-16
THIS DAY FIFTY-FOUR YEARS AGO.


On the 10th OF January 1910. the first Whig
State convention In the United States met
at Indianapolis to nominate State ticket
In consequence OF The hard times and the
many blunders and crimes OF the Democ-
racy under Jackson and Van Buren, during
the past twelve years the whole Nation
was in a state OF feverish excitement. The
Legislature was in session here. Party
spirit was at fever heat The Democrats
had. eight days before, on the Sth OF Janu-
airy. nominated their State ticket with their
greatest statesman, Tilghman A. Howard.
candidate for Governor They loudly
claimed the triumph OF their ticket at tho
next State election. The Wings OF Indiana
had declared themselves. with unanimity,
for VIM Henry Harrison for President.
and their enthusiasm was unbounded.
On the 18th OF January great numbers or
delegates poured into Indianapolis from all
parts OF the State. coming with banners.
flags, music, coons and coonskins on poles.
pictures OF Harrison's cabin. and all the de-
vices resorted to to awaken the spirits OF
the people. From Ripley county came a
delegation. on horseback. following a great
canoe, some forty feet long. arranged with
seats and carrying flag. in honor OF old
Tippecanoe The weather was very cold.
but 1t seemed 10 have no effect on the null
titude which filled the hotels and streets
and the Statehouse yard on the morning OF
the 10th. Samuel Judah. one Of the great
est lawyers OF the State, was called on TO
preside at the convention. The convention
was composed of the leading Wings OF the
State who had come together resolved to
overthrow their INSCRIPTIONS opponents.
There could be seen such an assemblage OF
great orators, bright men. forcible char
acters and resolute managers in politics as
never assembled in Indiana before or since.
Jonathan McCarty and Joseph G. Marshall
were at the head Of the electoral ticket.
with array of district electors composed
OF men who. since then. have won great
fame. Samuel Bigger was chosen candi-
date for Governor, a man OF grand pres
ence, a distinguished judge and lawyer In
the prime of life. and a powerful stump
speaker. Among the delegates were Noah
Noble, James Rariden. George II. Dunn,
George H. Profit, Joseph L. White. James
harrington, Elisha NJ. Huntington, Henry
S. Lane, Caleb B. Smith, Samuel w.
Parker Charles H. Test Samuel c. Sample
George G. Dunn. Thomas d. Walpole. Geo.
w. Cutter. James S. Cravens, Robert Bren-
ton, Joseph G. Marshall and Jonathan Nc
Carly.
Inc convention assembled In the State
house yard and was addressed by Joseph
L. White. Henry S. Lane, Samuel W.
Parker. George w. Cutter Samuel Judah.
Jonathan McCarty George Robertson and
others. Such fiery and powerful speeches
had never been heard before in the State.
and the convention adjourned confident OF
victory.
The campaign opened at once in all quar-
ters Of the State. The news OF the en-
thusiasm in Indiana flew the most dis
tant parts OF the Union and did much
to force the nomination of General Har-
rison for President. Howard resigned his
seat in Congress and came home TO lead
the Democracy to victory. He a
matchless stump orator, magnificent in
form and feature with an engaging and
winning address and an unblemished char
acter; his influence on a crowd was almost
electrical. Behind him in his party stood
Whitcomb, flanagan. Petit, the Brghtss
Amos Love. Joseph Lane, Andrew Kennedy,
Robert Dale Owen and others, who took the
stump on his behalf The Wings with men
of tremendous power the stump. such
as Joseph G. Marshall. Jonathan McCarty,
Joseph l. White, Henry S. Lane. Caleb Is.
Smith, Richard w. Thompson. George q.
Dunn, Samuel w. Parker. James Rariden.
Oliver H. Smith, David Wallace, Daniel d.
Pratt and Albert S. White. aroused the
people to pitch beyond all comparison in
any other political campaign
A great convention was held by the
Wings at the Tippecanoe battle ground in
June. Many thousands attended. Large
numbers came from distant States They
all travelled in stages and wagons and on
horseback. Notable among them was Eras-
tus Brooks the then famous editor OF the
New York Express. He returned home
full of the ardor and inspiration Of the
great meeting, and a glowing editorial,
headed, 1.-The Prairies Are on Fire. de-
scribed the convention and called on the
Wings of the Nation to vie with the men
of Indiana in their zeal and courage In
the fight with the then nicknamed Loco
foco" party. Vice President Dick john
son. the hero of the battle OF the Thames,
came over from Kentucky to aid the De-
mocracy II was all in vain The Wings
carried the State in August and in NoveIn-
Der.
The memory Of this campaign will long
survive But John Tyler betrayed his
party after the sudden death OF General
Harrison after one months service; ana
the result Of this notable contest was al
most a political failure in consequence OF
his treachery. The 18th Of January Is
memorable day in the political history OF
Indiana