Evening star., 1920-07-04

G.. Harding left Chicago as
the republican nominee for
President. he let it be known
that he intended to conduct front
porch campaign. He intended, he
said. to go back home-to Marion,
Ohio-and stay there practically the
entire time before the election. re-
ceiving his friends and supporters
whenever they came to see him.
If the republican nominee carries
out his announced intention of re-
naming at home during practically
the entire campaign It is a safe bet
that his democratic opponent will
adopt an opposite course. and " III in
wade every state that he and his man
ayers believe can be won. and some
OF them which cannot be won.
Early Examples Recalled.
Senator Harding's plan of cam
paigning is a throw back to the days
of William Mckinley-who has been
called a prototype of Senator Hard
ing-to the days of Abraham Lincoln,
and to the still earlier days of John
Adams, Thomas Jefferson and George
Washington. In these later days it
has been the custom of the presiden-
tial candidates to swing around the
circle during the campaigns. And
the people have come to expect it, in
large measure. Presidents of the
United states are no longer a rara
avis on the Pacific coast. and presi-
dental candidates have been just as
common in that section. Benjamin
Harrison was the first President to
reach the Pacific coast while in of
fee. but nearly all of his successors
have made the trip. In fact. it has
become recognized thing that Pres
idents shall travel to the four corners
of the country. SO as to see the peo-
pie, learn needs, and so that the peo-
pie may see their Presidents.
Eject of Presidential Trips.
In fact. Presidents seeking a second
term have found it advisable to make
these extended trips to get the good
will of the people. And their oppo-
nents have been forced, in most cases,
to do likewise. 1t costs money to
travel, and Congress took pity upon
the chief executive and added a spe-
cial provision of $4,000 year to be
used for the travelling expenses of the
President Theodore Roosevelt was the
first to benefit under this provision.
In the case of the presidential nomi-
nees who do not happen to have un-
limited resources. or an appropriation
20 In
the expenses are paid out of the funds
of the national political organization
to which the candidate belongs.
Hughes Experience.
A burnt child breads the fire. The
last republican nominee, Charles
Evans Hughes, probably would have
been President today if he had not
ventured into the far west and al
lowed himself to become involved in
the factional fights of the republican
part, in California. 1t may have been
that this sad experience had some
thing to do with Senator Harding 8
determination to stick around his
front porch in Marion. Certainly it has
caused some of the republican poll
ticians to welcome his announcement.
But Senator Harding in all probable
ity would have reached this conclu-
sion irrespective of the fate of
Hughes candidacy. He's the dignified
type who does not care to harangue,
cajol and handshake his way through
the country in search of few votes.
But don't mistake me. Senator Hard
ing is splendid campaigner If he
takes the stump. He has a fine pres
ence, a genial, winning manner, abil-
ity to convince his hearers that he is
a man of sound common sense.
JacksOn's Innovation.
Old Andrew Jackson. fighting DEM
ocrat. was the first candidate for the
presidency to change the method OF
campaigning, which prior to his time
had been conducted with consider
able decorum. The candidates for
President had been inclined to lie,
their friends do the work of cam
paigning, to let the Office seek the
man, rather than to seek it them
selves actively after being nominated
But jackson injected pep into the
campaign. In his campaign agalns'
Adams. the public and private lie
of both nominees were attacked, sour
rilous cartoons and charges OF al
kinds were made On the other hand
George Washington. the first Presl-
dent, had been elected twice unani'
mously But when he left office. the
political parties had. lined up; the
lines of cleavage were clear.
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
were both politicians and cravec
office, but neither was an orator, anc
they didn't try taking the stump
Henry Clay was a great speaker bu
he remained silent when a nominee
for President. Jackson and Harrison
Travelled about their own state:
when they were candidates, making
speeches, but did not attempt Ions
speaking tours. Cass, Scott, Fillmore
and Buchanan made a number O.
speeches. but Fremont in 1856 KEEP
still and let his friends do the cam
paigning Winfield Scott when h
opened his mouth during the cam
paign in 1852 iguratively put hi
foot in it.
Too Much LOquacity.
On a number of occasions too mucl
speaking has embarrassed candidate
for the presidency-sometim tn
candidates themselves did the super
fuous talking and sometimes thei
friends. A conspicuous case where
few words had much to do with TIL
defeat of a candidate was the famou