New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-02
THE KIND OF PATRICIAN HE IS

The Democratic newspapers, being utterly
~ loss 70 see upon what ground they can
attack General Harrison, are trying TO create
prejudice against him as "patrcian" Inc
sole basis of this is that General Harrison has
an honorable ancestry. Mr.. Watterson makes
the longest fight in this direction. lie com
mares the Republican candidate with his grand
father, ard says:
Tho present Harrison is not that sort OF man,
He lives I'm palace, and drinks only champagne out
of cut glass. He never wore homespun Ill MS me-
and would not know a coon-skin lie is cold, self
fish, exclusive arrogant and vain patrclan' lie
hates n moor man worse than the devil hates holy
water There Is nothing popu'ar vi "ds"''0 "N
him. -, .
For the first week in the campaign TINS IS
bettar than Mr. WattersOn's average. Inc
"nalace,, which Mr. Harrison lives In IS
nlan bric,, house surrounded with a picket
fence. and his manner of life is probably as
far from Mr. Watterson's description OF 1t as
his home is from being palace" As for
wearing homespun that would imply extlav-
agance. and not economy, since the develop
ment of American manufactures. The TACT IS
that General Harrison is literally poor man.
Ho is Door because he gave up some OF the
hest wears of his life TO the service OF his
country, while his Democratic competitor was
saving up his life and strength for his subse-
ouent distinguished career in the personal adj
ministration of capital punishment Oeneral
Harrison is poor because large proportion OF
his professional earnings has been expended
upon philanthropc and benevolent objects. 1t
was said in Chicago by one of his representa-
tives that he would not be able to accept
nomination for the second place, simply be-
cause he could not afford to give up for com
parativey small salary the years which he
would otherwise employ in providing COM
potency for his old age. The total value of
his possessions does not reach, it is said, the
sum of 50 900. 1t is a glorious tribute to
the democratic nature Of our institutions, so
often charged with plutocratic tendencies, that
a man without fortune can be chosen the can
didate of great party for position which
has been said to be the most distinguished that
can be held by man.
The attempt to make General Harrison out
"patrican" who " drinks champagne out Of
cut glass - is silly, and may as well be dropped.
It is no dscrcdit to a man in this country, any
more than in any other, that his ancestors have
won HONORABLE ulSlllClIOH' OcHtI'u lldlIlNoH
has no reason to be ashamed of the fact that
his grandfather was President of the United
States. lie certainly was not nominated be-
cause he was his grandfather's grandson, but
because he is in himself a strong character, and
has proved his abilities and his courage, both
upon the battlefield and in the Senate. There
is lust one kind OF arstocracy which the sem
sible American likes and admireS-the aris-
tocracy Of talent. General Harrison belongs
to it Of his own right. and if he finds himself
there in company with his ancestors, no one
will think the less of him for it. The remark
able reception the people of Indianapolis have
given to his nomination shows what a warm
regard his neighbors have for him. The man
whom the children all about his home know
as Grandpa Harrison" can hardly be cold or
exclusive. Patricians of the kind Mr.. Waiter
son describes do not live in plain brick houses.