The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-20
A STATESMAN OF THE FIRST RANK
A Massachusetts Writer Places Senator Ben
jamin Harrison in the Lead.


L. c. Caper, in Brockton tMass.) Eagle.
For nearly two years, when the Senate has
been in session, it has been my privilege to look
in upon them. and waving the preju lice which
one naturally feels for those of his own State.
the senator who sits in the middle seat in the
second row OH the east side is, in my mind, the
highest type of what a statesman should be.
refer TO the Hon. Benjam Harrison, of Indiana.
He was born in Ohio fifty one years ago,
where he received classical education, gradual
ing at the age of nineteen years, with high hon
orS He studied law two years, and then re-
moved to Indiana, where he has since resided
In the early part of the late war he enlisted. and
worked his way ND to the position of brigadier-
general. have heard the strongest expressions
of respect and admiration for him. as a soldier
and an officer, from the lips of several who
served with him. Let me attempt to describe
his personal appearance. He is FIVE
feet seven inches in height, his
weight $50 pounds. thick set, little
light complexion with very fine faxen hair
mixed with gray. a full beard, round full fore
head with large reflective organs and the sharp
est of kind bright eyes His general appear
ance does not indicate strong constitution yet
/ venture to assert that his powers of endurance
are not excelled by any on that floor.
No matter how long the session or how excit,
ing or tlresome the debate he never looks care
worn. exhausted or dreamy. but always as fresh
and bright as a new pin He always wears the
Htdllu anu puOydHCy OF d SCHOOL, BOY 11SG III from
his play when he comes in the Senate. One or
two in the Senate may be more polished in their
utterances but there are none that can reply
more readily to argument in so sound. clear.
terse and forcible language. In fact, while his
speeches are scholarly productions, he
seems to avoid high sounding phrases
that some orators delight in. Always
clear and comprehensive. thoroughly in
earnest. he commands the closest attention of
all His school of craftsmanship seems to be
that of Governors Andrew, Long and Robinson,
and one can see blending Of the virtues of
these three worthless i'll this one man. He is in
the front rank as the soldiers and settlers
friend, always ready and able ito give a reason
for the faith that is in him." Any question that
is raised as to his position taken, receives the
same full. deliberate intelligent answer as
though he had known weeks before that the
point would be raised His able efforts in favor
of the admission of Dakota as State did not
only prove this but his life work bears out the
statement Actuated by the highest motives,
with courage to defend and ability to maintain
them, temperate in his habits, with a never
failing fund of to draw from in any
emergency, he is power for great good in the
place he holds. These and many kindred
reasons convince the writer, and Others wiser
and more capable of judging, that no man in the
Republican party to day. could fill the Office of
President of the United States with more ability
and honor than Benjamin Harrison, the junior
senator of Indiana