Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-22
A Campaign on Issues.

wish of Judge Parker that nothing
rejecting upon the personal honor and
integrity of President Roosevelt be
admitted to the Democratic campaign
textbook. Such an expression ces-
tainly does him credit. though II Is
difficult to imagine what the editors ol
that publication could possibly have
found to say about the President that
would have reflected upon either MS
honor or his integrity. 1t is to the
credit of Mr.. Roosevelt that notWith-
standing his forceful character and
the strenuous political contests in
which he has borne conspicuous ana
able part, no member Of the opposing
party or no one of it's organs has ever
yet called in question his personal
honor or his integrity. His life has
been an open book to his countryinen.
whom he has taken into mis- full conf
dence, in dealing with the great ques-
tons that have come up for his official
consideration. To have attempted
understanding campaign against such 4
man would have been simply to have
raised up new friends for him, and still
further strengthened his hold upon the
love and confidence of his country
men.
In this connection it may be we'll 10
call attention to the fact, that while
President Roosevelt has been an out
spoken and fearless champion of the
great policies Of government in which
he 50 thoroughly believes, being ready
to give and take hard knocks he has
been singularly fair and courteous in
his dealings with political opponents.
Herein has been one of the most po-
tent elements of his strength with the
American people. The old-fashioned
paigns, with it's resort to personal
abuse and bitterness. no longer finds
favor with the voters of this country.
1t is source of weakness rather than
strength to the party who employs it.
The people desire that political cam
paigns should be fought out upon the
issues involved. No doubt the at
taCks upon Mr.. Cleveland'S personal
character in his first campaign con-
tributed powerfully to his success at
| the polls. To the general recognition
Of this fact, is doubtless due, in large
/ have been fought out solely upon the
issues involved. No man in pub
| lie life has ever entertained
more radical or in the opinion
of a great majority of his coun-
trymen. more dangerous views
upon questions Of public policy than
William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska.
The two campaigns which he fought
for the Presidency We're certainly of
strong mobile features lent themselves
readily to caricature, and We're the
special delight Of the cartoonist. His
views were assailed with vigor, and
Were often the subject of rdicule; but
not withstanding all this there was
nothing in either of these two cam
paigns that reflected in any way upon
his personal honor and integrity. His
opponents checrfully conceded his sim
certify, his personal honesty and the
rrobity of his private life. Their
fight was not waged against Mr.. Bryan
the man; but against Mr.. Bryan the
exponent of the Kansas city platform.
1t is pleasing to know that the pres
ent national campaign bids fair to be
free from offensive personalities. Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Judge Parker are
both recognized as clean. honorable.
upright men, whose personal charac-
tiers are above question or reproach.
The campaign, therefore, will be fought
out on the policies and principles they
represent or fail to represent. The
issue will be squarely joined, and the
voters will have opportunity to say at
the polls whether they desire Il con-
tnuance OF Republican prosperity. or
return to Democratic hard times.