New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-08
INDIANA IN THE LEAD.

Indiana joins the host-nay Indiana leads IT..
No other State has declared in more eloquent
and effective words the reasons for the nominal
ton of Mckinley; no other State has more ex-
plicitly pronounced against the free coinage OF
silver; no other State has so worthily recognized
the great prosperity attained by the country I'M
der the Administration of President Harrison
There is genuine craftsmanship in the contrast
between conditions existing at the close of his
Administration and at this time and in the frank
recognition of his accomplishments. Carping
and criticism are dumb in presence OF this mag
nificent unity of Republicans. where sharp dis
pute was predicted. Indiana adds its delegates
as California has and Michigan and Missouri!
will, to the great body Of Republicans from the
Pennsylvania border to the western line of Kan
sas and the Dakotas, who make the champion
Of Protection their candidate.
There can be no disappointment regarding the
effort to present President Harrison in Indiana
To doubt its sincerity would be unwarranted
however little sincerity there may be in some Of
the professions of attachment for him which
come from those who have hated and fought
against him. and who went into the combination
of bosses for the express purpose of making his
nomination impossible. He has friends else
sound and judicious course has not been fully
appreciated, that he would command more con-
idence in some respects than man untried
and that his defeat in 1892 was no more a YER
dict against his administration Of affairs than
it was final verdict against the Republican
tariff Of 1890 But President Harrison was
fully advised of this feeling, and in view Of it
chose with great explcitness and deliberatior
hat ha NJ no cap1idnfn This
decision by him not only opened the way for
other candidates, but SO fully that in his own
State all the district conventions Instructed dele
gates for Governor Mckinley. No one can
urge that there is any unfalrness toward him
or his friends, IL those who have taken their
position refuse to change 1t when it has been
approved by the majority of Republicans
Neither can it be denied that the situation has
materially changed since Indiana delegates were
chosen, and so changed as TO make the original
reasons for that choice UNNECESSARILY stronger
than they were 1t then appeared that Major
McKinley's nomination would emphasize more
than any other the desire Of the Republicans for
protection Of industries. That choice has been
ratified by people in so many States. for pre-
cisely the same reason, that the nomination OF
a different candidate would now be interpreted
u
publicans wished to avoid that issue. How
many Democrats and other wage-earners this
would repel it is impossible to judge. 1t APP
peared to Indiana Republicans that the tariff
ought to be the main issue OF the contest. and
the Republicans in other States have so decided.
To adopt different plan would give especial
offence to all who want to see that question set
tied beyond dispute. 1t seemed to Indiana Re-
II toll
opposed by the bosses in nachine-ridden States
was the safest candidate to offer to a people
disguised with ring rule. The struggle has gone
so far that the choice OF the people could not
now be set aside without appearing to yield to
the dictation of the bosses. Whether that would
strengthen the party II is not difficult TO Judge.
At the outset President Harrison might have
been the candidate around whom all opponents
Of Boss dictaton would rally but he DELHI
erately decided that he would not 1t Is not
now possible for him to be nominated except as
the choice and by the favor Of the very influence
against which the majority of the Republicans
have been VIGOROUSLY contending and 1t was
strange that any one expected him to consent
to take any such position. Those who urged
him TO consent can hardly have reflected how
much Of his former strength that position might
take from him. Their desire for his nomination
would have been anything but true friendship,
If it could have resulted in putting Mr. Harrison
before the country as the instrument by which
Mr. Platt cOntrived defeat of q candidate pre-
ferred by majority Of the Republicans because
he knew no Boss Indiana has done honor to
President Harrison, as well as to the Repub-
lcans who have fought so many battles in that
State by the declarations Of the Republican plat
form adopted yesterday.