The evening times., 1899-07-17
CAMPBELL IN THE FIELD.
Re-entry of the Old Ohio Leader Int

"a
The announcement that James E, Camp
bell had made up his mind to engage ac-t
lively in the politics of Ohio during the
coming gubernatorial campaign has been
received in Washington with no little in
terest by many political and personal
friends of the popular former Governor of
the Buckeye State 1t has been subject
of surprise during the last four years that
Mr. Campbell should have withdrawn SO
entirely from the political field. 1t has
been remarked that had be consulted the
wishes of the great majority of his party
he could not have been persuaded to re-
tire from the leadership which he so ably
and effectively directed for half dozen.
years in his State. 1t Is said. however,
that his Withdrawal in favor of other and
younger men was based upon the desire
to give someone else a chance and lot to
seem to wish to monopolize the leadership
of the Democracy to the exclusion of other
ambitious men.
There has never been moment, 1t
is urged. when Mr. Campbell would rot
have been ready and eager to respond to
the wishes of his party had he been con-
vinced that his activity in the councils
of the Ohio Democracy would have mate
rally advanced, the interests of the cause.
Not that Mr. Campbeii's influence with
Ohio Democrats had In any sense be-
gun to wane; but only that he felt from
sense of modesty and discretion that
the purposes of the party might be bet
ter accomplished il he would but re-
main somewhat in the background. For
these reasons, /. and also on account OF
personal plans of business character,
Mr.. Campbell did yield for time the
eminent position he had held SO long
as a leader of his party. .
His absence from the theatre of ro-
litical action could. however, in the very
nature of the Ohio situation. be but
temporary. His friends in and outside
Ohio realized that he could, the moment
he expressed a desire. become immedt-
ately strong factor in shaping the poll
cies and in executing the purposes or the
Ohio Democracy He had but to speak
the word in order TO receive what 1t is
thought he richly deseryes-a cordial,
warm, emphatic welcome from his old
associates in the party
I'VE are ALI glad that the voice OF
James E. Campbell is to be heard once
more summoning the Democrats of Ohio
to man the ramparts and defend the De-
mocracy from its open and secret enc
miles," said well-known Ohio Democrat
this morning TO a reporter for The Times
No more potent call couldo be sent out
to the people OF Ohio than message from
Jimmy" Campbell. Like all other Demo-
Gratis, / rejoice that his influence is to be
felt actively in the campaign this year. /
have known all the while that Mr.. Camp
bell was waiting only for an opportunity
when he could do real service to the peo-
pie OF the whole State. He is, you see,
such a splendid fellow at heart, that he
does not wish to stir up mutiny when it
is unnecessary. and he thinks the people
Of Ohio have been SO good 10 him, and he
is so truly devoted TO them, that he hesi-
tates TO do, or TO seem to do, anything
that might in any way displease them. He
is, as you probably know one of the hap
piest. most whole souled, generous spirit
ed fellows that ever stepped out cl po-
litical platform. All these qualities in his
character tend to restrain him from all
unnecessary contention. On the other
hand he is as gallant and game a political
fighter as ever faced a public audience.
Once convince his judgment, and he Is in
the fight with all his strength, and heart.
and soul He is, / think, easily the best
campaign speaker in Ohio, If not in the
country. l never saw or heard his equal in
the country. During the tariff agitation
he brought the issue so plainly before the
labcring people that they We're with him
TO 4 man. He is not an orator in the
popular acceptation of the word. but he is
a rafting good public speaker. He speaks
the truth, acts the truth, lives the truth
everywhere and always. His re-entrance
into politics Will greatly strengthen the
Democrats, net only in Ohio, but also
Throughout the country.
why has he come back TO take an ac-
tive part In the. fight this fall?" continued
the Ohio man in answer to the reporters
question. For several reasons. First OF
all. Campbell thinks that it is high time
Democrats throughout the State and the
country should get together. subordinate
their personal differences and line up in
good earnest against the common enemy
the Republican. party. He sees what We
| all recognize that the people of Ohio are
| thoroughly dissatisfied with the policy and
methods of certain alleged leaders in the
Republican politics of the State. He
| knows that Ohio soil is not congenial TO
| the growth of .bosssm.' He believes with
all of us that the State is now ruled tyr
annically by as cruel political despot as
ever tried to gag convention or throttle
| the public will. Mr.. Campbell feels that
on that issue alone the people of Ohio
| ought to and will defeat the Republican
| ticket this year.
He is also against the evident attempt
of the Republican party to brand our peo-
! pie with the everlasting scar of mono
| metallism. He is against this single gold
standard of the Republican party. He is
| in favor of more money. not of less money,
| for popular circulation. He believes that
| a few men should not have the absolute
| power to tie up ali the money in the coun-
| try in their pocket handkerchiefs, and in
| that way, enslave the great laboring
| classes.
He is also against trusts. He fought
| them when he was governor and he will
| continue to fight them all his life. He
sees how things are going in this country
OF ours if we permit these Republican
monometallists. Republican trust-breed-
ers, and Republican bosses to rule the
country and the State forever.
He understands the deep-seated hos
| tnity to the State Republican machine.
| He is determined that if all of this evil
and fraud is to be overthrown. James E.
| Campbell will have part in overthrowing
/ it.
lie has no personal motive. Against
| these enemies of his as individuals, he
| has not the slightest ill-feeling, but he is
| heart and soul against their pans and
purposes because he knows they are
| trampling on the liberties of the people
| For the reasons l have stated he has re-
entered the political arena He will do
| wonders before election day. He will con-
ciliate and unity the party in every town
! and county in which he will appear
| Harmony-Democratc harmony-is the
| cry. and Let us beat the common enemy
| is the keynote of his message to the peo-
pie II l am not greatly mistaken he will
prove to be a tower of strength to the
| Democratic hosts of the whole country
before another year is ended. His upper
most wish is to sustain and Strengthen the