The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-07-02
THE ERA OF MUD.

The Republicans have namod for Presi-
dent James A. Garfield tho Democrats
Winfield S. Hancock. Garfield has been
nine times elected to Congress from his
District, elected Senator TO succeed Thur
man and chosen by the National Convention
as It's strongest and best candidate for Pres
ident over men who stood high in the es-
TEEN of the world. Even such Democrats
as Jere Black, Judge Field, Payne and
Thurman have publicly attested the emf
nence of his abilities aud the purity Of his
character. Hancock is a soldier of more
than National renown. His ancestry be-
queathed him an illustrous and uptarnsh-
cd name. On the hardest fought fields OF
the Republic he has been gallant soldier
and his private life is without blemish.
Perhaps there has not been In the history
of the country two purer men named for
the Presidency, two Of more unquestioned
patriotism. Under these circumstances the
campaign would seem to naturally turn
upon the principles at issue between the
two parties and the capabilities of the can
didates to administer the government. But
such does not appear so far to be be the
drift of the struggle. Garfield, nominated
a fortnight the earlier, is now in the full
food of a current of slush from every gar
bage pile he has passed in his career, and
Hancock is already receiving the first in
stallment of a similar sewerage. One or
the other of these gentlemen will be next
President of the United States, the most
exalted station within the electoral gift of
any people, and either will occupy it with
honor to himself and the country. Yet,
as represented by partizan tongues to-day,
the American people have selected as their
leaders men no better than pickpockets
and strangers. That style of campaign is
discreditable and presents the dirty, dis
graceful side of American politics. 1t has
its source in the mouths of low politicians
and such fountains of piracy and falsebood
as the n. Y. Sun, but the ambition to be
regarded a "good party paper" aud "a
true blue " leads more respectable men and
journals to reiterate and endorse these
falseboods and calnmnIes. 1t is somewhat
strange that even here in the mountains,
where there is chivalric although some
times rude sense OF justice, where no one
is condemned unheard, these charges long
since made, crushed out by investigation
and public opinion, and lived down By ire
proachable lives should be reproduced and
reiterated. If there are actual blemshes
on the character Of candidate they should
be made known. If there are discredita-
bly, acts attaching to him, they should be
fairly charged and proven; but this rak-
ing up Of Old calumnies that have been long
since torn to shreds and are now repeated
by partizan malice offends the sense OF JUS
tice and national pride. No dishonest dol
lar has LAID in Garfeld's hands and Han
cock Is not human butcher. There are
issues grave and momentous enough be-
tween the two parties upon which to ex-
pend investigation, thought and tterance.
Calumny will make no friends for the cal
umniator and when all liz said the two can
dIdates will poll their party vote. But the
drift of expression now, instead OF bsing
directed to the discussion of principles is
principally confined to mud throwi ng.
Would it not be well in Montana to discard
this method and in discussing local as we'll
as national tickets adopt worthier style