The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
"t.4-tJ4 N- $50
4 PARTY.

If the Democratic party shall be able to
get together on a platform in 1904 it will
experience difficulty in finding for a presi-
dental candidate a man Of national reputa-
ton who will draw the support of the en-
tire party. Time was when the Democratic
party, even after reverses. had men of ma
tional reputation for ability. In the first
Democratic national convention after the
war. when the party bore the stigma of
being the anti-war party. such men as ex-
Governor Seymour, of New York; George
H.. Pendleton. Of Ohio; General Hancock.
Sanford L. Church. Reverdy Johnson, Joel
Hendricks and General Mcclellan received
votes for the nomination. Several OF those
voted for are now recognized as men OF
national reputation, up TO the demand OF
the presidential office in character and
ability. \ considerable number of able
men Of presidential stature were in the
convention OF 1868. such as Tilden. Of New
York; Bayard. of Delaware: Thurman. OF
Ohio; Voorhees, end Mcdonald, of Indiana;
Samuel j. Randall. of Pennsylvania, and
many others. In subsequent conventions
able men appeared. even If they were
eclipsed by Tilden and Cleveland.
But who are the men in the party to-
day who can be put forward as leaders of
conspicuous ability and national reputa-
ton? Mr.. Olney. Of Massachusetts, Is spok-
tn Of. bat lie viii be seventy years of age
when the next President shall be inaugu-
rated. Ex-Governor Hill. of New York,
stands solitary and alone in New York as
a national figure. If Tamnany should carry
the city this fall Mr.. Hill might be denied
the New York delegation. In Congress he
opposed the Democratic President and
Democratic measures. Besides. he is about
the last man who would win the support
of the Bryanites. In Maryland is ex-Sena-
tor German, an able man. but one who
would antagonize an element the Demo-
cratic party must have if it hopes for sue
cess. In Ohio. what leader has the Democ-
racy OF that State had. since the death Of
Mr.. Thurman, who possesses the qualifica-
lions? Tom l.. Johnson and John r. Nc
Lean are rivals. but could either of them
be regarded as a man 10 lead a national
party TO victory? In Indiana what Demo-
crat could be selected TO fill the shoes OF
Hendricks. Mcdonald or Voorhees,? The
Democratic organ assumes that there is
no such man. and goes to Illinois to find
Chief Justice Fuller, ard TO Kentucky to
find Justice Harlan. a Republican. both of
whom viii have passed their SEVENTEEN
year before the next election. Mayor Har-
rison was az one time spoken of. but since
he has become so dismal a failure as mayor
as 10 be spoken of contemptuously by the
Democratic Chicago Chronicle he can
scarcely be seriously regarded as OF presi-
Dental size. Ex-Governor Pattison. of
Pennsylvania. chiefly distinguished because
Republicans twice elected him Governor.
has not been much spoken OF.
When Mr.. Bryan entered the Chicago
convention in 1896 and took there
were a few men who could have been
named who possessed the ability. but Bry-
snism forced them 70 the rear to make
place for d set OF iambuoyant leaders like
Williams. OF Massachusetts,: Mack, OF New
York; Stone. OF Missouri. and the like,
whose chief delight was TO throw con-
! TEMPT upon Grover Cleveland and Demo-