Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-07
THE LATE CAMPAIGN.

The peaceable revolution through which
the American people pass every four years
Is again ended. 1t has been one of inten-
sity rather than of acrimony-that is to
say, it has been fought out upon legiti-
mate lines of debate, with less of personal
assault than usual; in fact, character has
not been assailed. This is very crafty
ing fact, and it encourages us to hope that
In this respect it may serve as q model for
future Presidential campaigns.
While thus devoid of assault upon char
acter, the late campaign was not free from
httleness and dishonesty as exempliied
by shameless assaults upon the sensibili-
ties and intelligence of the people and a
pandering to prejudices arising out OF law
lessness. The people were shocked by
most unwarranted and groundless asser-
tlons OF what at least one candidate said
one unsupported allegation, for instance
being that the Republican candidate had
declared that ga dollar day was enough
for any workingman." AS against Mr.
Cleveland We do not now recall any asper-
sions, nor were there any charges except
such as related to legitimate issues in the
campaign.
There was a great deal of unfair play
upon both sides, and resorts had of which
both parties should be heartily ashamed
There was dangerous trucking to the
sentiment that underlies anarchism and
lawlessness, and it encouraged all such, in
the very nature Of things. The nervous
anxiety of both great parties to conciliate
elements that had in the past assumed
lawless attitudes upon questions relative
to such positions, Was a Illuminating fact,
and does not tend to command respect for
party methods. Let us look this matter
squarely in the face. If strikes and resorts
to force to right grievances by any classes
of citizens are to be condoned by political
parties, and campaigns are to be conducted
upon level with the fear to antagonize
lawlessness, how long will it he before men
will refuse to stand up for law and order
and against the unlawful seizure or de-
struction of property? 1t is fact, one
that sensible and rejecting men, wage
earners or capitalists, laborers or business
men, will agree upon, that nothing in the
career of General Harrison was more to
the credit of his good citizenship
and his manhood, than his per-
feet readiness and fearlessness to
stand forward in the great strike of 1877
as the friend Of order, and for the preven-
tion of lawlessness and to protect life and
property. The position did not involve
antagonism to workingmen's interests; on
the contrary he is the best friend of labor
who is frmest in defense of the laws, and
the rights of men and property, and the
orderly and legal adjustment of all diff
culties. If it was good reason for voting
against General Harrison that he was in
favor of law and order during the great
strike, then it follows that it is good reason
for voting for any candidate who fayors
disorder, violence and the usurpation of
legal powers. Carry that doctrine out
Its legitimate conclusion, and the result
will be that the men most likely to become
candidates will refuse to stand for the laws
as against opposing forces, for fear that
exhibitions of manliness and good citizen
ship will imperil their political prospects.
When conditions reach that level anarchy
and the rule of the mob will be the law OF
the land. 1t is no oiIense to workingmen.
no disrespect to their grievances, no hos
tility to their just claims, to oppose discr-
der. 1t will be sorry era for republican
institutions when such discharge of the
obligations of good citizenship shall dis
qualify men for reception of the suffrages
Of free people.
However, the late contest on the whole
was in character very much above the
usual, and had in it less of the objection
able than many that have preceded it. 1t
had this positive virtue, that it was
broadly educating. 1t may be safely as
sumed that the American people, as
whole, are to-day immeasurably better in
formed upon the question of the tariff than
ever before, and that they are greatly wiser
concerning our commercial relations with
foreign countries.
ghe campaign, therefore, has not been
prohtless. 1t is customary, at the conclu-
sion of these contests, to moralize upon
their banefuP' influence Saving aud
excepting the humiliating tendency re-
ferred to- We are not disposed to join in the
chorus. To a certain extent the Presi-
dental election periods divert attention
from business and check its course some
what. To certain extent there is an
output of energy that is wasted. But it is
also true that to several branches of trade
campaign is stimulant, and there are no
sufficient reasons for believing tha! any
very serious, certainly no lasting, injury
results from fairlymanaged campaigns
to carefully conducted and well-grounded
business. So long as the American people
conduct their campaigns upon lines of de-
bate that involve only the policy Of gov
ernment, and the fitness Of the candidates,
there need be no fear entertained OF retro
gression. In fact, the genius of the Amer
lean system is peculiarly exemplifed by
the capacity of the people to wrestle with
each other in political arenas, and to SUBJ
nit with grace and content to the express
sion of the viii OF the majority.
PUT WOMEN ON THE BOARD.
In Sacramento the echoes Of the Ma
tional contest will have scarcely died away
before we will find ourselves engaged in a
brief campaign for an election to deter
mine the local management of our school
system II oupilt NOT to involve any citi-