The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-19
LET US HAVE A DECENT CAMPAIGN.

In an extemporancous speech deliv-
cred by General Harrison to some visit
ing delegates from other States two days
after his nomination in 1888 he said: Il
feel sure, my fellow citizens, that we
have joined now n contest of great prin-
ciples, and that the armies which are to
fight out this great contest before the
American people will encamp upon the
high plains of principle and not in the
low swamps of personal defamation or
detraction." This hope was not alto
gether realized. The campaign of 1888
was by no means as personal and scan
dalous as that of 1884, and yet it
abOunded with campaign lies of the most
outrageous character. We refer partic-
ularly to those which were coined and
circulated regarding the Republican
candidate. Perhaps there was some
hitting below the belt done against the
Democratic candidate. but the files of
contemporary newspapers will show that
the contest was conducted much more
fairly, decently and honOrably on the
Republican side than it was ON the DEM
Ocratic.
There is some reason to believe that
the approaching campaign will be con-
Quoted on a still higher plane and will
be freer from personalities and from
campaign lies than any one for many
years. This expectation may be disap-
pointed, but at present there seems to
be ground for entertaining it, and If Mr..
Cleveland is nominated at Chicago, as
now seems probable, 1t will be in
creased. In that case the canvass will
be distinctly one of principles and poll
cies. without new private character
on either side to explore or ventilate.
The country knows Harrison and it
knows Cleveland. The worst that can
be said about either of them has been
said in previous campaigns, and after
all was said each one was elected Pres
ident, Cleveland in 1884 and Harrison
in 1888. the Journal regards President
Harrison as n much ADLER man than Mr..
Cleveland, and representing a higher
type of character and standard of con-
duet, but Mr.. Cleveland isvery far from
being bad man. A great many Demo
Gratis have said that, if we must have a
Republican President, they would pre-
fer Harrison to any one they know, be-
cause they believe him to be clean,
square, honest man. The Journal can
say sincerely that if we are to have a
Democratic President, which heaven
fOrefend, it would prefer MIR. Cleveland
to any other Democrat now named in
connection with the Office or likely to be
before the Chicago convention.
By renOminating President Harrison
the Republicans have already indicated
their purpose of making this a campaign
of principles and policies. His character
and the record and achievements of his
administration constitute the platform
ciples adopted at Minneapolis. If the
Republican party stands for protection
to American industry. honest money and
free and fair elections, President Har-
rison is the very embodiment of these
ideas. If Mr.. Cleveland becomes the
Democratic candidate he will stand as
the embodiment of the opposite ideas.
In that case we may indulge the hope
that the campaign will be mainly one of
great issues, and that, as General Har-
rison said in 1888; 1.-THE armies which are
to fight out the great contest before the
American people will encamp upon the
high plains of principle and not in the
low swamps of personal defamation and
dctractiOn."