Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1878 — INDIANA STATE POLITICS. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA STATE POLITICS.

It is probable tliat republicans will discover beforo fall that the state ticket, nominated by the democratic party of lmliuna n't Indiauapolisou the 2C)tli instant, is a strong, healthy one. 11 j is ns follows: For secretary of state, i John G. Shanklln, of Vanderburg! ccfdnty; for nudltor of state. Mnhlon ' D. Mansbn; bf Montgomery county; for treasurer of state, William Fleming, of Alien county; for attorney general, Thomas W. Woolen, of Johnson coitnty; foi' superintendent of public instruction (for a third term), Janies H. Smart, of Allen county. There is nothing galiifed by attempting to belittle the foreh and movements of an enemy. It Is wiser to look the conditions squarely in the face,. aU.lL.to anticipate his movements by concentrating a stronger and better disciplined force and opposing him witli.it. The weakness of the democracy of Indiana is discovered in the heresies so boldly proclaimed in their platform, rather than in the character of the ticket they liave nominated; and probably the most effective campaign that the republican party can inaugurate to oppose them will be to nominate a ticket of strong positive men, selected from the best material in its ranks, and adopt a platform with a resolution opposing the destruction of the existing system of national banking. This ought and would have the effect of neutralizing the ardor for their own party of some of the most influential democrats who are interested to the extent of large Investments in national bank stock; while it would not estrange any considerable number of republicans. The democracy by entirely Ignoring the existence of the independent or greenback faction, which hitherto lias been an auxiliary of no mean importance to (hem, lias certainly given provocation sutlieient to estrange thoso earliest but infatuated people which cannot be reconciled during the campaign year if ever. Under the leadership and drill of noisy, pretentious demagogues, the independents have become so immensely inflated with the idsa of their own importance and power that they will be apt to spurn with haughty disdain any overtures for an alliance which republicans might he foolish enough to propose to them. They will be very apt to maintain their state organizatipn intact from all alliances this year, and rely upon local disaSections to electa sufficient number of representatives and senators to give them the balance of power in the legislature that they may dictate the successor to the chair now occupied by Hon. Daniel W. Voorlieesiu the United States senate. Any uttempt on tiie part of republicans to establish a friendly alliance with these gentlemen is likely to result in nothing. That they hud resolved not to act iu conjuncnoiPwillreither of the old political parties in Indiana upon any condition other than to be allowed to dictate the platform and nominations was plainly shown by (heir action in the famed silver meeting at Intjianupolis in January, the control of which by a clever coup

d'etat they wrested from democratic hands. Shrewd democrats, like Mr. Hendricks, Mr. Henderson aud Mr. Shaw, readily understood the meaning of tiie maneuver, and the democracy very qufetfy snubbed them at their recent convention and sensibly permit the greenbnekers to make all the capital they can out of their position without democratic interference. It lias been the policy of the leaders of the independent faction to attack tiie stronger political organization in tliis state and build themselves into power by making proselytes from its ranks, rather than to unite themselves by bonds of friendship with the weaker one; they are likely to continue to act on tliis policy; for this reason they will prove more dangerous to the democratic party of Indiana the present campaign than to (he republican party. It is true this will be modified somewhat in isolated localities, but the general effect wiJi undoubtedly be as stated. There is yet a stronger power operating to impel the nationals, Ah the independent-greenback people have.recently been christened, to pursue the course foreshadowed at the Indianapolis silver meeting, which is found in the proceedings of their late national convention held at Toledo. It will bo Been by consulting tiie newspaper reports of that convention that they perfected a permanent national organization and provided for auxUltnry Htatenrganizattonsrthey declared their independence of, and antagonism to, both of the great political parties in existepce; they adopted a of principles distinct in feature from any before advocated by a cohsideralble number of voters; and they announced that they would not take into their confidence jpor admit to fellowship persons who had not or did noU renounce allegiance to ail other party organizations. They have, to speak figuratively, ranged themselves benteath the black flag of exterminating opposition and declared their intention neither to ssk nor to give quarter. To extend overtures of friendship after such declarations have been made would be an act of magimntihous cbiidliatioh which

even President liayos might pause to consider the propriety of. The political situation iu this state may be briefly summed up as this: Threo separato warring elements striving for supremacy; (lie democracy in power deliberately and meanly kick from their company the dupes who helped to place them there, and feeling themselves calmly secure iu their position; the nationals smarting with resentment at the Indignity thus offered by their late allies and bloated with self Importance determined to avenge the insult, and unwilling make amends to the republicans whom they deserted and betrayed, lifting their Ishmnelitish and communistic bauds against every man who does not rally to their standard of agrarian tend©UHics; and the republicans, humiliated by defeat, chastened by tribulation, their couucils undisturbed and their movementsunhnmpered by a mob of turbulent, noisy, fanatical spoils-hunters, coolly surveying the field and deliberately perfecting their plans for a short and decisive campaign, determined to carry the day and regain lost position. The battle will be full of excitement nnd interest. Then, the wise course fbr Indiana republicans will be: 1. To nominate a ticket composed of their very best and most conscientiously earnest men, not rejecting any on account of strong positive character. 2.' Tp adopt an honest, sensible, practical platform; devoid of catch-vote pretenses and every species of demagogism; earefull j resisting the temptation so outbid the democracy and the nationals for the votes of of communistic tendencies, on tiie mistaken supposition so popularity. 3. To avoid entangling alliances. 4. To make a vigorous, aggressive campaign.