The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-20

college contests, and his early promise OF
future success. Prof. David Swing says that
Harrison, while at Oxford. though very young,
was q stndious scholar, and early gave evidence
of being foremost in whatever he might under
take. He there acquired the habits of study
and mental discipline which have characterized
him through life5enAbling him TO g-apple with
any subject shorE netice. TO concentrate his
intellectual forces and give his mental energies
that sort of direct and effective operation that
indicates the trained and disciplined mind.
ton was for the law. Perhaps
he inherited that bent, or his mental consttu-
ton impelled him that way. Certainly no man
ever possessed more oistinctively legal mind.
On quitting college he commenced the study of
law in Cincinnati, with Hon. B. S. Stores,
and in 1854 came to Indianapolis to begin
the practice. At that time he was just
twenty-one years DID, solid looking,
square -ehouldered young man, with an uncom-
monty large, weil-poissd head a rather serious
looking face, and quiet, digni6ed manners that
indicated reserve force He had reason to look
a little serious. He wassnow married man,
among strangers with nothing but his personal
efforts to depend upon. and his professional
position yet to make. He inherited nothing from
his father but his education. He was poor and
unknown, and as yet be lacked opportunity
to show what, s.as in him. That was not
long in coming. AID with it came the demon
strAtion. One of hisearliast employments Was
by the Democratic Governor at that time.
Joseph A. Wright, in legislative investigation,
whore he displayed great ability This led to
other empIoyments, and he was soon recognized
the presen6 he has continued to be a rising and
very busy lawyer. General Harrison is pre-
sminsnsIy lawyer: His s0mssme pa partner,
sesses all the qualities of . q cat
lawyer in rare combination. He pre-
pares with consuminate skill; his
written pleadings are models of clearness and
brevity; he is peerless in Indiana as an exam
liner of witnesses, he discusses legal question
in written brief or in oral argument with con,
vincing logic and as an advocate it may be said
of him that when he has flushed an address to
jury nothing remains to be said on that side OF
the have often heard able lawyers In
Indiana and elsewhere say that he was the
hardest man to follow they had ever met. No
lawyer who ever met General Harrison in e
legal encounter has afterward placed small
estimate upon his ability.
The young lawyer drifted inevitably Into poll
tics The Republican party was then Just being
organized, and tue great issues that we're TO
mark its political alignment were formulating
All young men of generous impulses were at
tracted to it. Harrison Was Republican by in
stinct and education. His splendid oratori-
cal powers brought him into great de.
rnand and he soop became known as one of the
best of the young Republican speakers in the
State. He was not afraid of anybody on the
s,Tran Tn the memorable Lincoln campaign
of 1860 he and the late Mr.. Hendricks happened
to have appointments to speak in the same town
on the sans day L. was arranged that they
pected to amuse himself by devouring
the white-haired young man who
thus unexpsetealy became IN 3h as prey:
a surprise to both sdes Democrats admitted
that Mr. Hendricks had met his match and Re-
uublicans thought he was badly wOrsted- The
chairman of the meeting afterwards said: II
have heard good many political debates in my
dav but never heard man skin an oDponenG
as quickly as Ben Harrison did Hendricks that
day" During the next four years Mr. Harrison
devoted himself closely TO the practice OF law,
making political speeches IN the city or local
campaigns when called upon. In 1850 he was
nominated for Reporter of the Supreme Court,
q position that he desired because it Was in the
line of his profession and would prlng needed
campaign in which Lincoln was electad. From
the beginning to the end OF it Harrisons
plume waved in the thickest OF the Fight and
his voice Was not the least potent among those
of the many eloquent orators OF tnab Gay rs
In July. 1862, Governor Morton, under the
call of the President for 600 three-years
troops requested Harrison to assist in recruit
ing the regiment from the Sixth Indiana dis
trict under that call the quota from eacn dis
trict being one regiment. His WAS the first re-
cruiting commission issued by the Governor for
the Seventieth Regiment bearing date of July
Il 1862 and making him second lieutenant.
He inspired enthusiasm wherever ne went and
soon raised Company A, of which he was elect
ed Captain. Then he assisted ia filing mp the
other companies of the regiment, which was
complete and ready to so TO the 'front.' IN less than
me month and was made it's colonel Governor
Morton suggested, when Harrison took out mis-
recruiting commission, that it wsuld De too
much ask him 10 surrender the civil of1ee TO
which he had Iust been elected and that he
wonld find some one else to take tie regiment
to the field. Colonel Harrison prsferred. how
ever TO 90 70 tae front. saying thath would Dos
ask man Ia go where he himself y ould not 90,
showing soIdierly quality that marked the whoe
of bis military career After variety ct service
in Kentucky and Tennessee during the next
eighteen months. up 20 January. 1854 AeloneI