The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-02
Tho Campnign-A New Feature.

In tho opinion OF Our Democratic con-
temporary. the Cleveland Plain Dealer. 1t
would be \ good thing for the Democratic
and Republican National Committees to
make arrangements for the holding OF a
series Of public debates between the lead
Ing orators OF the two parties In those
Stated upon whose votes the result OF the
election depends.
Not long ago we made suggestion OF
this kind. and We proposed that the series
OF grand debates should be opened In Mad.
ison Square Garden. with Mr.. BoURKE
COCHRAN as tho champion OF the unterri-
fled Democracy. and Mr.. CHAUNCEY NJ
DEPEw as the apologist OF the foredoomcd
Republican pnrty. At tho same time we
presented tho names OF number OF other
distinguished orators OF both parties who
Is We believe. would be willing to confront
each other upon any platform before any
audience, in defence OF tho principles the
policy aud the candidates OF their respec-
tive parties. There is not doubt that
such intellectual matches would DO prodig-
iously popular. or that they would beuseful
In snliQhtening the voters upon tho great
questions that are to be decided IN the crit
tcal campaign OF 1892
II is our desire that every citizen shall
vote inteligcntly. with full understand
ing OF tha claims Of tho party which he
opposes as we'll as OF that which he sup
ports. Republicans go to Republican meet
ings. where they cannot learn tho true prin-
ciples Of Democracy. and Democrats go to
Democratic meetings where those true
principles are set forth: whereas we would
have the men Of both parties meet together
AZ lanai in yvhiln md uraaf
occasions. to hear the arguments Of those
of the orators OF both sides who nre prop
erly qualified to make them. and who
are entitled to stand rs representatives
OF tho rival parties. In other times, cs-
pccially in tho Southern and Western
States. there wore often such oratorlcal
conflicts. and most enjoyable and instruc-
tive they were. moro particularly when they
took place Mt n barbecue held in a clearing
on the side hill. or in neck OF tho woods. or
somewhere along the bank Of the river.
Memorable indeed are tho political debates
that took place in Illinois thirty-four years
ago. when ABRAHAM LINCOLN. tho rail
splitter. and the Little Giant DOUGLAS
stood up against each other on tho stump
I'D engaged In an argument which had
I1nuch to do with bringing about events
Of supreme importance in our history.
-'4nFscareiicnt old American custom still
exists in some States Of the Union. Only
the other day. Ito rva! candidates for Gov
ernor Of Arkansas held a big debate in the
town OF Searcy. A multitude OF people
gathered there to enjoy the lively encoun-
ter between the Democratic aud Repub-
hcan champions. and to get light upon tho
merits OF tho contendinR parties. Each of
the contestants had plenty of time. and both
OF them kept their temper. The hearers
gave duo heed to the speakers. and then
went of to think over the speeches OF FISH
BACK and WHIPPLE. Thus happily was the
State campaign Of this year open ID in the
Bear State.
We can hardly expect that tho Demo-
cratic and Republican National Committees
will be able to induce the rival candidates
for the Presidency to open tho Presidential
campaign In the same way in this city. Yet
the two committees are free to try to
get up such a debate between Messrs.
CLEVELAND and HARRISON. We can
assure both candidates that New Workers
would greatly enjoy IN occasion upon
which they should debate the great and
ali-controlinG Issue OF tho Force bill and
Negro Domination. In the amphitheatre OF
Madison Square Garden. We cannot be-
lioyo that Mr.. CLEVELAND would DO any
moro afraid to meet Con- HARRISON in such
IN encounter before 1000 New Workers
than HARRISON would DO afraid to meet
CLEVELAND. But tho National Committees
q tho two parties can make inquiry on
this subject.
We admit that there is no precedent for
0aHh debate. but neither was there any
precedent for that big muster OF Wednes-
day, July 90. In which Messrs. CLEVELAND
and STEVENSON were notified OF their nomi-
nations and made speeches accepting them.