Arizona republican., 1920-10-21
xvIII.
XVIII. THE HARRISoN-cLEvE- LAND RACE OF 1888
 Rv Frederic 4 Haskin


 WASHINGTON, D. C., Oct. 2O- Grover Cleveland was elected president the first time because of his views on the tariff question. Because he was too insistent upon the expression of the same views he was defeated lor reelection in 1888. MT. Cleveland was the only president who ever devoted an entire annual message to congress to the discussion of one subject. The Fiftieth congress was the second or Mir. Cleveland's first term, and the Democratic majority in the house had been reelected. while the Republican majority in the senate had been dimin- ished.
 The president believed that the re- suit of the 1886 elections meant that the people wished him to carry out his ideas on the tariff. Therefore he de- voted his entire annual message to the tariff. discussing nothing else and plae- ing the tariff question in a position of paramount importance never before oc- cupied by any issue in the legislative history of the country. That message was prepared and sent against the ad- vice of the leaders of the party.
 It did not meet with the reception hoped for and the tide turned against the Democrats. But even with that complication in the way, Cleveland would have been elected but for the treachery of Tammany Hall
 The Republican candidate was Ben jamin Harrison of Indiana-grandson of William Henry Harrison, "Old Tip pecanoe'' and great grandson of Nir- ginia signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, a direct descendant of Poca- hontas. and connected with all of the prominent old families of the colonial Il 4I. c-ffT 4aY n didate for president since Zachary Fay Tor who might claim to be of "aristo- cratic" lineage.
 Memories of the famous "Tippeca- noe" campaign were revived by ardent Republicans. while facet1ous Democrats poked fun at the candidate. They were pleased to call him the midget grandson in the gia7t grandfather hat. Every cartoonist accepted the "grandfather's hat" as the badge of Harrison's candidacy. As a result, the campaign of 1888 became campaign of hats.
 A Campaign of Hats
 The Republican marching clubs and "rooters" affected big hats of the bee hive variety such as were worn by Grandfather "Tippecanoe" Harrison in the campaign of 1S4O. The Democrats adopted the white felt topper which was a favorite with Mir. Cleveland. All over the country rural Democrats who would Shave tainted at the notion of a black silk top-hat, bought the white Cleveland hats" and wore them sum- mer and winter, day and night. The Democratic candidate for vice presi- dent was Allen G. Thurman of Ohio | whom men loved to call the "Old Ro- man Senator Thurman inseparabl' companion was a red bandana hand kerchief. So to the white top-hat every loyal Democrat added the equip ment of a red bandana. Then he wai ready to hike and hurrah and harangu' for Cleveland and Thurman.
 The campaign of 1888 was a vas important over the scandal-monger- ing contest Of four years before. NIT | Cleveland had gained the respect O the country by his admiHistration O. affairs. whether he had it's approval o not MT Harrison had both the re spect and confidence of the country The campaign swas conducted witt | great dignity The rivalry between tn parties was sharp. there were man. doubtful states and in none of then was victory for either side overwhelm ing. It was, however. battle of par ties and not of candidates The tariff issue was real issue. Neither of tn candidates appealed to the enthusiasm | of the masses of their followers. Iher was no great popular outburst fo either one It was the codest of tn close presidential contests.
 The First Front Porch Campaign
 Benjamin Harrison was one of tn ablest of the men who have occupie the White House His state papers ar fit to rank with the best in the archive of the Republic. not excepting thos penned by Washington, Jefferson O John Quincy Adams. His administra tion was far from tranquil, yet ii sharpest conflicts arose from the fac that Harrison, in the interest of tn whole people, opposed the schemes C certain of his party leaders. advocate of the interests of a very few.
 Better campaign speeches have neve been made than those which Benjami Harrison delivered at his home in In dianapolis, originating the "fror porch" campaign system. Other car didates had spoken from their verar das but Harrison was the first who di