The Indianapolis Sentinel

VICE PRESIDENT HENDRICKS.
[Atlanta Constitution]

As the Constitution goes to press this morning a special car enters the depot, bringing a man of whom it may be said there is nothing in the town too good for him. That he is Vice President elect of the Republic gives less reason for the heartiness of his welcome than he is himself. The very affection and enthusiasm that gather about the man will lessen the formality of the reception of the official. Atlanta never lays much store by the pomp or circumstance that hangs about a guest—and not a bit, when she is in love with the man himself. It is Tom Hendricks that she will welcome this morning—not the Vice President. It is the grand old Democratic hero who held the Western stronghold and led the Western hosts—who stood, environed all about by Republican majorities but unconquerable himself, beset by every resource of the enemy but entrenched in the love of his people—be it is that Atlanta takes to her heart to-day. She has always kept a warm place there for the great Indianian. During the tremendous struggle of last year, on which so much was staked, it was his name that conjured the heartiest cheers, his ringing speeches that awoke the echoes, his superb and doubtless leadership that kindled enthusiasm the country over, and his power that filled even the darkest hour with hope. We may search in vain the annals of political strife for the equal of the fight he made in Indiana in the late campaign. In brilliancy, in staunchness in heroic purpose and achievement, in the inequality of resources, in every point that wages a struggle memorable, it is without parallel. No man could have made that fight who did not hold the absolute love and confidence of his people, and the man who has this, after thirty years of active and conspicuous service, is worthy of all it implies.

In the name of the people of Atlanta, and of the people of Georgia, we bid Mr. Hendricks welcome to the Cracker City—welcome as the Vice President-elect of the administration that is to bring the country back to ways of honesty and peace—out more heartily welcome as the beloved and trusted Democratic leader who has fought the good fight and kept the faith.