Indiana daily times., 1920-10-09
PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS
:. The Harrison Cleveland r ace of 1888
- BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIN -


WASHINGTON, d. C.-Grover Cleve-
land was elected President the first time
because Of his views on the tariff ques-
tion. Because he was too insistent upon
the expression OF the same views he was
defeated for reelection in 1883. Mr..
( Cleveland was the only President who
ever devoted an entire annual message
to Congress to the discussion of one sub
! Jeet. The Fiftieth Congress was the
second Of Mr. Cleveland's frst term, and
the Democratic majority in the Horiss
had been reelected. while the Repub-
lcan majority in the Senate had been
diminished.
The President believed that the result
Of the 1886 elections meant that tic
/ people wished him TO carry out his
ideas on the tariff. Therefore, he devoted
his entire annual message to the tatiff,
discussing nothing else and placing the
tariff question in position OF para
mount Importance never before occupied
| by any issue in the legislative history Of
! the country. That message was pre-
pared and sent against the advice OF the
leaders Of the PARTY. 1t did Rot meet
with the reception hoped for. and the
tide turned against the Democrats. But
I even with that complication In the way.
Cleveland would have been reelected
I but for the treachery of Tammany Hall.
The Republican candidate was Benta-
min Harrison Of Indiana, grandson OF
William Henry Harrison. "old Tippe-
canoe" and great grandson of Virginia
signer OF the Declaration OF Independ-
ence, direct descendant Of Poeahontas,
aud connected with all OF the prominent
old families OF colonial days. He was
the first successful candidate for Presi-
dent since Zachary Taylor who might
claim to be OF "aristocratic' lineage.
Memories of the famous "Tippecanoc'
campaign were revived by ardent Re
nublicans, while faeetious Democrats
( poked fun at the candidate. They were
pleased to call him the midget grand
son ia the giant grandfather's bat. Ev.
I cry cartooBist accepted the grandfather
I hat" as the badge OF Harrison's candi-
dacy As a result, the campaign OF 1855
became a campaign OF hats.
HATS AND RED BASDANAs
BECOME INSIGNIA OF PARTY.
The Republican marching clubs ami
"rooters' affected big hats OF the bee
hive variety such as were worn bY
Grandfather "Tippecanoe" Harrison in
the campaign Of 1870 The Democrats
adopted the white felt topper" which
was a favofite with Mr. Cleveland All
over the country rural Democrats who
would have tainted at the notion OF n
black silk top-hat bought the white
"Ciereland hats" and wore them sum
mer and winNr. day and night. The
Democratic candidate for Vice President
was Allen c. Thurman OF Ohio. whom
MEN loved to call the "Old Reman,"
Senator Thurman's inseparable cOmpan-
ion was red bandana handkerchief SO
10 the white top-hat every loyal Demo
crst added the equipment Of a red bap-
dana. Then hes waz ready TO hike>and
IIurrah and harangne for Cleveland and
Thurman.
The campaign OF 1855 was a vast i'm
proyement over-~the scandal M ngering
contest OF fou- years before. Mr. Cleve-
land had gained the respect of the
country by his administration of affairs
whether he had its approval or not. Mr..
Harrison, had both the respect and con
hdence bf the country. The campaign
WAS conducted with great dignity. The
rivalry between the parties was sharp
there were many doubtful States, and
In none OF them was victory for either
side overwhelming. It was. however, a
battle of parties and not Of candidates.
The tariff issue was a real issue. Neither
Of the candidates appealed to the en-
| thusiasm Of the masses OF their <ollov-
| eEh. Inere WIS no great popular out
| bursts for either one. 1t was the coolest
Of the close Presidential contests
Benjamin Harrison was one Of the
ablest of the men who have occupied
the White House. His state papers are
fit to rank with the best in the archives
OF the Republic not excepting those
penned by Washington. Jefferson or John
Quincy Adams His administration waa
far from tranquil, yet its sharpest con-
flicts arose from the fact that Harrison.
in the interest of the whole people. op-
posed the schemes of certain OF his party
Headers, advocates of the interests Of a
very few.
Better campaign speeches have never
been made than those which Benjamin
Harrison delivered at his home in Indian
apolis, originating the front porch cam
paign system. Other candidates had
spoken from their verandas, but Ha arrison
was the first who did it Systematically
and to whose home special trains brought
thousands of excursonists every week
That these excursions were often made
up with free passes and paid delegations