The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-08-08
GEN. HARRISON.
Old Soldiers and Tippecanos Veterans
Writing to Him by Thou
ands.
Their Love and Unbounded Enthusiasm
for the Gallant Leader Alone
Insure Success.
The Generals Mode OF Life-HOw He
Receives the Multitude Of
Visitors.
indianapolis Cor. Chicago Inter ocean,

apparently, write 10 General Harrison. His
mail Is something enormous. II comprises not
only letters of imp )rtance but newspapers
from everywhere handbils. circulars advertise
ments IA cunningly disguised as patent medi-
cine literature. His house is overlooking with
papers. A correspondent walled through heap
yesterday morning which had Just been deposit
ed in the back hall. There were files and similar
heaps IN the private study up stairs, while tho
libra had been almost wholly con' erted into
repository for the daily mail-sack. The con-
scientiousness with which he examines the
greater part OF it no doubt accounts in part for
the extent 10 which his correspondence has
grown. When asked IL it continued 10 increase,
Mr.. D. s. Alexander, his secretary, smiled
at the simplicity OF such n question. IN
'cleased?" he replied 1t couldn't. 1t was
full born from the very first day Il his nomina-
ton, and came pouring III from every part OF the
country in avalanche" The first two weeks
1t averaged 80 letters day or about $500
week. 1t has, however, since diminished to
about ,2OO IA week, and very few received
from persons who ar5 not entitled 10 some sort
of reply Hundreds come from old soldiers
who. wit Iout exception ave been enthusiastic
over Harrison's nomination, and who, TO man,
regardless OF former political convictions, Will
vote for him. Among these are c)ngratu ations
from the members his regiment, brigade and
.division-the old Twenty-hfth Army Cotps-the
men who knew him as a soldier, who saw his
courage on the battlefield, VINO experienc d his
tender care and solicitude in the camp he hos
pital and on the march. These letters are full OF
reminiscen, % TO ,alling some unselh sh act, some
he'll full work which he had forgotten, but which
they had remembered through all the years
which have pas sed, through altered Circum-
stances and the changes which have scattered
them far and wide
The devotion and affection and loyalty OF these
soldier letters so touching that many OF them
move the reader TO tears. They are eloquent re-
minders Of that trust and affection which was
bond between men in a time OF common peril,
and which doeponed into love that survived
separation, the lapse OF years, the formation OF
other ties, and SURPRISES the love OF woman.
They recall the fatigue OF the march, the famine
OF rebel prisons, the wo .nds and the slaughter
of battle, and il is not surprising that men who
carried the musket then re oce now in the eX-
altation OF one Of their most val ant leaders.
Others are simply congratulatory; others con-
tain sUg 5estioas as TO what ought 70 be sara or
done, with accounts q measures when nave
been already agreed upon in many OF the tther
States Then there are the autograph hunters
ami their name is legion the photograph h mt
ers who are almost as numerous, ana N Htho-
graph beggars who are somewhat fewer but not
less importUnate.
A very interesting portion OF the correspond
ence comes from Harrison and Morton Clubs,
which arr being organized by hundreds every
where. giving accounts OF their work, and send
ing their good wishes. The next largest Is re-
aceIved from IippecanOe Clubs composed OF old
Whigs who voted for General William Henry
Harrison in $50 There are frequently iuclose1
with these newspaper clippings old badges and
other IL relics, the valued treasures that
have been carefully preserved for more than
forty years, % find their way back into the pos
session Of the grandson OF the man for whom
they voted-another Harrison whom their votes
alone are enough 10 IL ect.
Gen. Harrison mode of life IL Il forcible COM
nnentary upon ths simplicity Of republican in
situations. While he dispenses the most gener-
Gus hospitality, there Is an in!ormality, an abs
sence OF all display in his manner OF entertain
ing which may be regarded wholesome
survival OF the good old times. The position of
Presi lent of the United States-the Chief EXecu-
tive Of ore of the most powerful and prosperous
nations on the earth-;s the very highest that
man attain through his own eXertions The
potenta.es Of Europe are born to the purple. In
this Republic they are chosen from and by the
people and the choice, rule, implies self
achieved superiority IL is an eminence which
Americans c not hope TO reach through wealth
or inherited position IL gives one II peculiar
feeling 10 call at the modest house in which
lives the man who will, in all probability, be in
vested with the dignity and authority of the
Presidency. 10 have your ring an werei and the
door opened by the future President himself 70
be creeted with an informal shake OF the hand
and sincere words of welcome; TO meet his wife,
who Will sustain the dignity of her husband
~the first lady in the land, but who still does
her own marketing, like the careful and thrifty
hous wife that she Is.
A resident of Indianapolis the other day pail
him an unconscious cOmpliment-the highest
that can receive. He said: General
Harri ION has not so strong a personal following
as some other men. because he Is never much
upon the streets. He is shy and reserved natur-
ally and is always at home with his family
OF evenings. l do not remember ever 70 have
seen him down town at night, except on bust
mess or when he participating in some pub
lie meeting He Is man OF The most thor
ough method, and carries this into all his af-
fairs, private, profess ional, and political. The
first lew days after his nomination, when he
was overwhelmed with congratulatory letters
and calls from people everywhere, the established
order was temporarily interrupted but IL
only for short time. His daily life is now
systemntiged as Thoroughly as when he was Oc-
cuped with his law practice. He breakfasts at
about 80, and then spends half an hour in con-
versation with his family, aud reading the morn
ing papers, callers rarely asking adnittauce so
early. BY O'Clock he has rea an signed some
one hundred and nifty letters received the even
ing before. Then he takes up the morning mail,
which has arrived by this time, and considers
carefully every letter that is laid before him, n
matter in which ne is most punctious. Re-
plies are dictated aud n signs them, until h is
Interrupted by callers, who are usually
noun, cd before this work Is finished They be-
gin 20 arrive at about ~ 80. and are largely
people who live out Of the city, who happen To
be passing through, an represent neariy every
State in the Union. This morning will serve
an example, when the audience comprizsd citi-
zens OF Pennsylvania, New York, Wiscon-
sin Iowa. and Ohio Lunch is served
about / o'clock. He is with his family again
until about 2, when ne is sent for TO receive
delegations, frequ nty two or three, which the
trains bring in daily from all directions. Thty
have been addressed and received and at
o'clock he has returned 70 his house and has
other breathing spell. The interval before din.
ner, which is served at 3 o'clock, is spent in
taking care of his little grandson, 20 whom he is
deyo edly attached, in walking about the yard
or sitting under the trees reading watching
the little fawn which was sent 10 his yoCngast
grandchild n few days ago. After dinner ho
usually takes a walk "A DIR We, more frequently
the latter, ana returns about O'Clock. Callers
are received again, all who come.
OF the visitors, IL may be said that those
whom ne soes on private or confidential business
confer WI n him in the library, the others in the
front parlor. They are not always as consider
ate as they should be, frequently intenuptng
him during those brief moments when
privacy should be undisturbed. One day this
week he was called from the dinner-tabe 20 re-
ceive an old man who brought with him his
blind wife who greatly desired to shake hands
with the new President" The dinner grew cold,
but the visitors were not hurried or in any way
reminded that the cal had been ill-timed. Cen
eral Harrison Is nothing of a grumbler. He ac-
cents whatever is said or happens ia good feel
ing and without harsh criticism. The business
of the day is usually disDntched and the house
closed at 10 30 This is now the daily routine
and there Is little variation, except on Sunday
when the family attend church anu are or
diuarily left 20 themselves.
1t will be perceived that such enormous de-
mands ould be xhiusug. II not perilous, 70
nine whine out OF every hundred men, but Cen
eral Harrison has not been affected by IL In any
way His natural composure and calmness have
been invaluable to IN in so trying an ordeal
and re is never hurried or Hurried. Whatever
be does is accomplished with the utmost thor
oughness and deberation. His strong, COM
posed cOuntenance is the assurance OF mind
equally strong and we'll balan ell.
nu-N nv Dnln MIN