The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-17
MIR. SHEERIN'S STATEMENT.
why One of the Leading Democrats of
the Country Cannot SuppOrt bryan.


Mr.. Sheerin's statement, after reviewing
the fusion movement in Indiana, takes up
Mr. Bryan's utterances regarding the al
legged coercion of workingmen. The sepu-
ments of the Popocratic candidate are de-
nounced as degrading and an insult to
American manhood Mr. Sheerin says
Il regard the action of the Indiana DEM
ocratic state cGm1tee tad IN rrsie eectops m
and supplying their places with hve Popu,
lists taken from the Popuilst eiect0ral 0ra
ceeding ever attempted or consummated in
this State. 1t is in violation OF every prin-
ciple of Democratic faith and contrary to
every rule of Democratic practice; II Is
wholly without precedent and absolutely
without authority. If a candidate upon a
draw he unquestionably has a right to do
State committee to fill the vacancy. But
the vacancy must be filled by Democrat.
If the State committee had right to put
Prohbitionist or member of the A. F. A.
or any other man holding views in direct
traditions. AS a matter of fact, the first
duty of a committee has always been TO
ascertain that the applicants, were con-
were ever considered even for moment.
That this extraordinary, unwarranted
and party destroying action of the Indiana
State committee was taken by the direc-
ton and with the active cooperation of
the Democratic national committee gives
double emphasis to the necessity for its
prompt Reputation and punishment by
every honest Democrat in the State.
Speaking for myself / shall not vote the
Bryan -Sewall- Watson electoral ticket.
owe much to the Democratic party of In
clusion, it is proper that / frankly state
why l shall not do so. l am a Democrat
and intend to remain a Democrat. l am not
a Populist and do not intend to become a
Popuiist. The vital principles of the two
parties are diametrically. opposed. There
can be no coalition or fusion between them
upon principles. The mission of the Dem
ocratic party is the maintenance and carry
ing forward of certain well-defned ideas of
government. The filling of public offices is
an incidental duty in the life of a truly
tonaI party. but never the purpose of it's
existence. The party nevertheless is charge
able with the proper and patriotic discharge
of such official obligations as upon its re-
quest, after full fair and manly declara-
tons of its principles and purposes, the ma
jority of the voters may impose upon it.
lie office is always a public trust never u
subject of public or private barter.
by this unauthorized fusion which has
just been perpetrated the Democratic party
of Indiana has been dragged from the high
and honorable pedestal which it has oecu-
pied as. a reward for the fidelity TO princi-
pie and the conservation of the peoples
rights and has been trailed through the
filth and mire of the political market place
with a price upon its influence and honor
The whole thing is disgustingly immoral
pie for the very fraud of it.
THE DIVISION OF ELECTORS.
But let US understand thoroughly the
situation it places US in, SO that every
Democrat in the State may know exactly
what responsibility he is asked to assume
by casting his vote in November for the
ratification of this unholy alliance Five
men who are not Democrats who do not
pretend to be Democrats. and who owe al
legiance to the Populist party and stand
squareiy upon the Populst platform
pledged in honor to vote for the Populist
national candidates. and under neither po-
litical nor moral obligation, expressed or
implied, TO vote for the Democratic ma
tional candidates have been placed upon
the Indiana electoral ticket. This leaves
the ticket with the ten electors pledged in
honor to vote fer Bryan and SewalI and
five electors are pledged in honor to vote
for Bryan and Watson.
If this Indiana electoral ticket is elect
ed Mr.. Watson could, in certain not i'm
probable contingencies, by pursuing the
same tactics by which he and his friends
secured his nomination at St. Louis be
elected to the vice presidency. For in
224 electoral votes, in which included
the fifteen from Indiana. This would
elect Mr.. Bryan, but would leave Mr.. Sew
all five votes short. The Watson electors