The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-11
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES..
Senator Ben lIarrisOh-Sketch Of His Services
in Military and Civic Life.

Washington Special to Cincinnati Commercial Ga
Zette-
The name of Senator Harrison is daily becom-
ing more prominent among those who are re
garded as available for the nomination at Chi
cago. This is very gratifying to his many
friends here, and they begin to feel strong conf
dence that he may be chosen.
Those who favor him have been discreet
enough not to put him forward as a candidate. or
in any way press the consideration of his name
upon the people. for the reason that it is well I'M
derstoOd that the Senator does not allow himself
to be considered as a candidate, neither is lie in
any way maneuvering in that direction. The
points made in his favor in a recent talk with
several of his friends who are prominent here
may be summarized.
They called attention to the fact that he was
suggested four years ago, and that the support
of prominent and influential delegates at Chi
cago, outside of the State of Indiana, was ten
dered him, but ne and his friends did not CON
slider it an opportune time for him to enter the
contest. 1t is b believed that there are now strong
reasons why the Senator would be an available
candidate for his party. OF his fitness there is
no doubt.
At the opening of the rebellion General Har-
rison was "a young man, holding the'office of Su-
preme Court Reporter, to which he had been
elected by the people of his State. He volun-
teered early in the war, and was, by Governor
Morton, commissioned a second lieutenant. He
served throughout the war, and rose from a lieu
tenant to the rank of q brigadier-generaL. Soon
after the organization of the Seventeen Indiana
Volunteers he was made colonel of the regiment,
which participated in all the battles of the At
lanta campaign.
1t has long been conceded that he has no SUI
per1or In his State as a lawyer and advocate. He
has for many years actively participated in
every political campaign in his own and other
States. Beng an orator of acknowledged abil-
lty, his speeches have attracted no little atten-
ton throughout the country, especially on the
part of the solid business men. owing to the fact
that his financial views have ever been in accord
with their own.
But few men ever made so brilliant a canvass
as did General Harrison for Governor of Indiana
IN the campaign of 1876, when he ran about two
thousand votes ahead of his ticket. So proud
and delighted were the Republicans of Indiana
with their standard bearer in that campaign that
at the first opportunity presented them they
showed their appreciation by electing him sen
ator. Senator Harrison is a remarkably modest,
conscientious and retiring man. He never forces
himself before the public. This has been evil
denced by his career in the Senate. His duty as
a senator and the proper transaction of the pub
he business are ever uppermost in his mind,
rather than his own political welfare.
One of his friends calling attention to Senator
HarTisons notable eulogy upon Senator Burn
side, who was a native of Indiana. said: I'm
such orations the orator often reveals something
OF his own character as well as describe the sub
Ject of his eulogy. Such was the case when Har-
rison said of Burnside: There are men, and
not a few, who ~selfishly absorb the lives and
achievements of others; who deck themselves
with laurels they have not won, and strut in
plltered greatness. Such was not our friend. y"
Harrison is u historic name. Justly honored,
but the present possessor of that name does not
imagine himself ''decked' with the honors of the
illustrious dead, and strut among his fellows,
trusting to q noble line of ancestry to do him
honor; but, conscious of his own merit. and re-
lying upon that alone, he has pressed his way
upward to the front ranks of the great men of our
country through his own industry and ability.
He is a plain. practical man. Hence, when he
introduces a bill in the Senate, it is accepted as
being the best Judgment of a conscientious and
iudicious legislator. He is a true and genuine
friend of the soldier, which seems to be thor
oughly understood by those of his State.
The course of General Harrison concerning ap-
plicants for Office from his State has been unus-
ual and remarkably generous. The inquiry with
him has universally been, what is the applicants
| standing among his neichbors. what is his fit
ness for the position he seeks, and is he Endorsed
by the representative Republicans of his COM
munity!-and not whether he was his political
friend, or whether he would support him in the
future.
Whether Senator Harrison will allow his name
to be presented to the Chicago convention re-
mains to be seen. 1t is certain, however, that
his friends feel that such support has been ten
dered him, in and outside of his State, as to make
his nomination probable in certain contingencies.
1t is believed by many leading and influential
Republicans of Indiana that if she is called upon
to nam one of her citizens for the candidacy,
Senator Harrison will be selected. He unques-
tionably has the support of what may be termed
the party leaders of his State, who seem to gen
erously accord to their senator the position of
leader, and have looked to him to mark out the
position of the party ON the great questions be
fore the country, and to open every campaign in
Indiana since the death of their illustrious war
Governor.
Ex-senator McDonaId's Prospects.