THE LIFE OF PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON Essay, Research Paper

Election of 1888

In 1888, James G. Blaine, the Republican party’s most prominent figure, declined to seek

the presidential nomination. The national convention then nominated Harrison as the

soldier-citizen who combined fitness with availability. The call came on the 8th BALLOT.

Levi P. Morton, a New York City banker, received the vice-presidential nomination.

Cleveland was renominated by the Democrats.

Harrison conducted a unique and unexpected front-porch campaign, delivering more than

80 extemporaneous speeches to nearly 300,000 people who visited him at Indianapolis. He

made “high tariff” the chief issue, while Cleveland called for lower tariffs and even free

trade. On election day, Harrison trailed Cleveland by more than 90,000 popular votes, but

he carried Indiana, New York, and several “doubtful states” and won the presidency by an

ELECTORAL vote of 233 to 168.