The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-14
HISTORIC CAMPAIGN.


An article printed in the news columns
of the Journal few days ago contained
some interesting personal "reminiscences Of
the Harrison campaign Of 1910 by citizen
of Ohio eighty-six years old, and who was
active in the politics of that period. Among
other things he gave the origin Of the
phrase '1og- cabin campaign" which has
become historic:
Some Eastern Democratic newspaper.
commenting on the pioneer habits of the
West advised that Harrison be given a
log cabin and plenty of hard cider to drink.
implying that that condition of life
more BETTING for him than the White
House. 1t was an unfortunate sneer for
the Democrats, for 1t supplied the spark
that only needed to kindle popular
sympathy into blaze. The Wings famed
the flame. and Harrison became the log
the emblem of his pioneer life. of his mil
itary services, of his kindred feelings with
the farmers, of his unrequited toll for
his country. A log cabin sprung up in
every city and village, a clubhouse and
raliying place for Wings. Log cabin rails
ing and house warnings were held with
music and political speeches.
Log cabin medals were struck and passed
from hand to hand. Miniature log cabins
were carried In professions and displayed
on platforms. Log cabin pictures were
cabin song books found ready sale. Ladies
made log cabin fancy work for fairs and
children had little log cabins of wood, tin
and confectionery.
All the appliances and appurtenances of
the log cabin came into favor. There was
the barrel of hard cider to stand by the
door; there was the coonskin to be nailed
by its side there was the latchstring to adj
NIT the welcome guests. and it was remem-
bered that General Harrison told his old
soldiers they would never find his door shut
he Lot trta 1nA IN, 49,
the rye and Indian bread and there were
the strings of dried apples and pumpkins
and of corn and peppers hanging from the
roof, and there was the broom at the door,
typical of the purpose of the Wings to
make a clean sweep.
There are quite number of men still
living in Indiana who were old enough to
vote in 1S4o. and many who. though not
voters at that time, still recall the cam
paign one of the most exciting they
ever knew. 1t was particularly so In this
State, because General Harrison had been
Governor of the Territory for several years
and had great many personal friends in
the State as late as 1S40 He had the honor
of being the first presidential candidate
not Democrat to receive the electoral vote
of Indiana. which he did in 1886 and again
in 1S4o. Indiana was admitted to the Union
just in time to participate In the presiden-
tial election of 1916. her electoral vote of
three being cast that year for James Mon
roe. There was an interesting contest over
the States vote. Indiana had adopted a
| State constitution in June. 1916. but was not
formally admitted TO the Union until the
| 18th of December, after the presidential
election had been held. The State, how
| ever. had voted for President. choosing
Democratic, or. as they were then called
Republican. electors for Monroe. A dispute
arose In Congress about counting the vote
because of the alleged inability of the State
| TO vote for President when not formally
admitted into the Union. even though the
people had adopted State constitution
several months before the election. The
question had never arisen before. The Sen
ate and House separated to enable the lat
ter to decide the question. bur finally it was
postponed by nearly unanimous vote, the
| Senate was invited to return. and the vote