The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-04
A Graceful Expression Of Thanks for
Courtesy and Kindness Received
from Men Of All Parties.
REGRET OF INDIANIANS
PROMINENT REPUBLICANS EXPRESS
THEMSELVES ON THE LETTER.
Question ns to Whether Allison, Nc
KinIey or Reed VIII Now he
Indiana's Choice.

Indiana will have no favorite son before
the Republican national convention which
will meet in st. Louis next June, for yes
terday ex-President Harrison sent a letter
which was addressed to Chairman Gowdy,
Of the Republican State central committee,
explicitly stating that his name must not
be presented to the convention. This letter
was addressed to Chairman Gowdy in light
OF the resolution adopted at the recent
meeting OF the State committee, pledging the
support OF Indiana Republicans to the re-
nomination and reelection of General Har-
rison as President of the United States. The
announcement which General Harrison
makes in his letter was not surprise to his
friends, for he has had no hesitancy in
stating to them his position. but, neverthe-
less, there was a general expression OF
regret among prominent Republicans last
night when it became known that the ex-
President had publicly announced his de-
termination. The hope had been general, as
these Republicans stated, that General Har-
rison would accept a denomination IL such
should be the desire Of the Republican
party.
The letter which General Harrison sent to
Chairman Gowdy is as follows:
Hon. John x. Gowdy, Indianapolis, Ind:
I'm view of the resolutions passed by the
State central committee at its recent meet
ing, and Of the fact that delegates to the
to be chosen in this State. have concluded
that some statement from me as to my
wishes and purposes should now be made
to my Indiana friends. Hitherto have de-
n A
matter, but scores of friends to whom 1
have talked, and many scores more to
whom have written will recognize in this
expression the substance of what 1 have
said to them. To every one who has pro-
posed to promote my nomination 1 have
said. no. There never has been an hour
since I left the White House that 1 have
felt a wish to return to It,
'sMy Indiana friends have been most de-
voted and faithful, and 1 am their grateful
debtor. The Republican party has twice i'm
national convention given me it's indorse-
ment, and that is enough. l think the
voters of our party now entitled to
have a new name. For the sentiment
great or small. that has been manifested
that wider respect and kindness-b breaking
party lines-which have been shown me in
so many ways. am profoundly apprecia-
tive.
II cannot consent that my name be pre-
sented to used in the st. Louis conven-
ton, and must kindly ask my friends to ac-
cept this as a sincere and final expression
upon the subject.
BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Indianapolis, Feb. g."
General Harrison's natural reserve and
his desire not to be placed in the attitude
Of crlticising the present national ad-
minstration has caused him to decline to
talk on any topic of national politics and
this has been construed, regardless of what
his friends have said. that he would be
a candidate before the next convention
Wherever he has gone, he has been piled
with questions by overanxous reporters
but to all he has declined to say anything
Although Gen. Harrison's name has been
constantly before the people as a pres
idential possibility, there had not been any
official action taken by the Republican
party to Indicate that it was expected that
his name would be before the convention
until the recent organization of the State
committee at the Denison House. AT that
time there was considerable talk of conven-
ton delegates and Of the statements that
had been made in number of Democratic
papers. emanating from the local corre-
spondents. that the party in this State
was not united for Mr.. Harrison IL he
should become candidate or should his
name be presented 20 the st. Louis conven-
ton. In the minds OF Republicans there
has never been but one opinion in this
State as to their choice for the presidency
and this fact was emphasized by the reso-
luton passed at the meeting of the COM
mittee, to which General Harrison refers
in his letter. That resolution was as fol-
lows:
Whereas. Many statements as to the at
titude Of some OF the officers and members
have appeared, mostly in the Democra tic
press, which tend TO cause impression
that there is opposition to Mr.. Harrison in
Whereas, Such opposition does not exist.
| and such report places the Republicans of
Indiana in an unpleasant light away from
| fore. be 1t
"Resolved, After a full discussion and
| free individual expression upon the subject
| that the officers and members OF this COM
! mittee. each for himself and jointly as the
| constituted party organization of the State,
| denounce all reports to the contrary as
| wholly false and unfounded, and hereby ey-
| press the truest loyalty to General Harrison
and to his denomination and reelection as
President of the United States should he be-
come candidate.
Indiana has been conceded by all Repub-
| lican presidential candidates to be a united
| Harrison State and there has not even
| been any talk Of the probable second choice
| of the delegates. The possibility Of Mr.
| Harrison refusing to allow his name to
| go before the convention had not even
been considered in the arrangements for
delegates to the convention. and all men