The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-19

characterized them. the tendency has
been to call into play all the emotional
powers, and we find this exempllfied in
tie striking and significant nicknames
or sobriquets that were attached to
the great party leaders. Men catch at
a nickname. It brings a candidate
nearer to them 1t is one of the equal
izing resources of democracy. And 50
we find, that after the charm OF Old
Hickory had shown its power, there
was developed speedily not only a
strong, hearty and vigorous opposition
to the party Jackson resuscitated, but
a tendency to idealize it's great leader
by scbriquet, and in 1881 the rapidly
crystalizing Wing party begun to talk
of Harry of the West" The younger
generation cannon appreciate the ire
mendous power that was in that sobri-
quet. 1t idealized Clay, "the Mill Boy
of the Slashes." 1t typified its mag
netic qualities. 1t made a political
equal of a great intellect. 1t matched
for the Wings the enthusiasm created
by the mention of Old Hickory among
the Democrats.
Old Hickory's heir apparent was
Martin Van Buren,. and he went into
the White House after a splendid can
vass, in which the nickname of 1.-THE
Little Magician played a potent part.
William Henry Harrison, The Farmer
of North Bend" was then beaten by
THE Little Magician" but four years
later there was d canvass for the presi-
dency that can only be described as
ma gnificent. Every citizen was made
to feel his sovereignty in it. 1t was
a cyclone of political activity. Harrison
was nicknamed, and in every cross
road corner men shouted for "Tippe-
canoe and Tyler too" "Old Tip Hard
Cider" Log Cabin, Coon Skin" and
the refrain
Van, Van, Van,
Is used-up man.
Throughout the country mimic log
cabins, decorated with stays antlers,
shirts and cider barrels, canoes, etc.
were paraded in the professions, and
men tipping cider sang:
Eye jolly young Wings of Ohio,
And all We sick Federalists, too,
Come out from among the foul party,
And vote for Old Tippecanoe.'
All these emotional stimulants stirred
men to their marrow and vftalized our
politics so thoroughly that the effects
were felt for years.
Four years later, in 1874, Harry of
the West was the Wing watchword
used, and it aroused enthusiasm fully
equal to that displayed for "Old Tip
in 1870 The Democrats had nominated
a man whom it was impossible to apply
a sobriquet to. He was not we'll
known. His personality aroused no en-
thusiasm, and the best they could do
for Polk was 10 cry Polk and the tariff
of 40"
In 1S4S the Democrats again nomi-
mated one of the old school. General
Cass. He was not man to idealize
by a nickname. But Taylor was a
character that suggested plenty of
them. odd Buena Vista" gave a hint
of his military renown, but the sobri-
quet that was in every Wings mouth
during the canvass was Rough and
Ready" What a nickname for a hero
picked from the massesl And it played
no unimportant part in winning votes
for "Old Zach
Fremont was idolized as the Path
finder but perhaps the most catching
motto of his canvass was that invented
by some inspiring genius Fremont
and JESSIE" and there were thousands
of men who voted for Fremont on ac-
count of Jessie. Franklin Pierce and
James Buchanan, the latter called by
his opponents Ten Cent Jenny" went
through their campaigns without ia
miliar appellations. unless to be called
The Bachelor of Wheatland" was an
honor to the first single man who occu-
pied the White House.
Lincoln was characterized as "Old
Ala" Uncle Abe" Honest Abe"
Rail Mauler," the "Railsplitter," but
only one of the three antagonists had
nickname. That, however was splen-
did. 1.-The Little Giant 1t was worth
as much TO Douglas as many of his
speeches, and you will find men even
today who speak with tender recollec-
tons of the Little Giant
We have had no striking nicknames
since 1860, if we except that given in
voluntarily to Blaine by Bob" Inger-
soil, The Plumed Knight" Andrew
Johnson shines as Tailor Boy" and
Garfield as the Canal Boy" and
modern brood of popular ideas are des-
tined to be distinguished by other fan
cieS in apDellation.