Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-06-22


uuremittiug energy of his efforts 10 have
that Territory admitted to the Union
when, for the crime Of beirg faithful to
Republican principles, the Democratic par
ty resolved to keep it out. Everybody
will recall his com plete exposure Of the civil
service reform sham in Indiana under the
present administration. He possesses all
that YOU should desire 10 a President
Soundness in Republican doctrine a COM
prehensive grasp of mind; a calm judg-
ment; firm principles unquailing couE-
age and pure character.
The eloquent gentleman from Illinois
has commended TO our favor another dis
tipguished citizen of Indiana. A States
pl zee in civilization is denoted by the man
ner in which she treats those who have
served her faithfully. l have always hon
ored old historic Massachusetts for the
manner in which she cherishes the fame of
those who, in whatever department Of ser
vice have reflected honor upon the COM
monwealth; how she calls the roll with
pride; how impatient she becomes when
their names are unj Justly aspsrsed or dis
paraged. / have not come here to dispar.
age that honorable gentleman, the brave
and lust Judge and heroic soldier
whom the gentleman from Illinois has
commended. If the roll Of all Indiana's
sons were called who led in battle or car
ried the knapsack, che would bid me honor
them all. There Is no need that should
strive to dwarf others in order that General
Benjamin Harrison may stand conspicu
GUS. He stands breast to breast wish the
foremost of Indiana's soldiers; distin-
guished also in civic trusts; heroicilly
faithful to public duty; skillful in mar
shaling men; in the sound of whose bugle
they quickly rally and fall into ranks;
whom they have followed in fierce can
vases more than once to the desperate
charge crowned with victory.
Standing here on behalf of man who,
disdaining all adventurous helps, has risen
to distinction by the force OF his own
merits, should regard myself unchivalic
did not recall, at least in D7ief review,
some of the worthy public achievements of
his ancestors. Whatever tends to show
that a life which has been strong and use
full has a foundation in traits that have
long chung to the stock from which the
man sprang is in the nature OF guaranty
that he many be trusted under all trials
II is something that the public, who are in
terested in being perfectly served, are en-
titled TO know. We stand here to-day in
the imperial city Of the Northwest. The
name of no family has ever been more
identified with the Northwest than the
family of General Benjamin Harrison. 1t
is woven into the very fabric of the history
of her people.
need only give a passing reference to
that sturdy Ben Harrison from whom he
takes his nsme-a signer of the Declare.
ton of independence He was Governor OF
Virginia when the possessions of Virginia
embraced the whole of the Northwest.
When the Northwest was formed into
Territory William Henry Harrison was
first its Secretary and afterwards ita dele
gate to Congress. When the Indiana Ter
ritory was formed. embracing all the terri
tory of the Northwest except Ohio and
part of Michigan, he was appointed its. first
G overnor. He held commissions a. Gov
ernor successfully from Adams, Jefferson
and Madison. He was man of deeds.
While delegate in Congress he obtained
the passage of law requiring the sale of
public lands TO ne made in smaller sub
divisions thal had ever been allowed be-
fore, so that the first time man Of hum
BILE means might buy from bis government
home. The historian, McMasters, in his
admirable history of the people of the
United States, has said with reference to
this measure, that it did far more for the
good of the country than even his great
victory over the prophet at Tippecanoe, or
his defeat of Tecumscb at the battle of the
Thames.
He negotiated treaties with the Indians
while Governor: by which their title to
seventy million acres Of land was thus
extinguished, and the land was thus open
ed for settlement. Iu single one Of these
treaties the Indians relipquished lands
which embraced q third of Illinois and
vast region in Southern Wisconsin.
He fought the battle of Tippecanoe and
defeating the plans Of the grest statesman
and warrior, Tecumseh, kept the portals OF
the West open for the admission Of the
immigrant.
And what, though less shining, was not
less welcome TO the settlers of the Terri
tory, scauty in means and struggling with
difficulties, he secured the passage Of laws
that made the burdens of taxes lighter up
on the poor.
The tongue IF the farm and the practice
of hospitality were native to him. After
the battle of Tippecanoe, when parting
with q regiment of his soldiers, he said:
''If you every come to Vincennes You will
find plate and knife and fork at by
table, and assure you that you will never
find my door shut and the string of the
latch pulled in." And what he promised,
he faithfully lived up to.
We hear of Civil Service reform as if it
were some quite new suggestion. But
President Harrison, in the single month
that he held office, directed the heads of
the several departments TO give informa-
ton to all their officers md agents that
partisan interference by them in the pop
ular elections, whether of State officers or
officers of the Federal Government, or the
payment of any contributions or any as
sessment on salaries, or officia compensa-
ton for party election purposes, would be
regarded by him as cause for removal.
The old war Governor, the hero Of Tip.
pecanoe, having left Indiana in 1915 to en-
ter a lsr ger field of activity, the people did
not forget the inestimable ser
vices which he had given them; aud when
twenty-seven years afterward, he was a
candidate for President Of the United
States, Indiana, though Democratic
State, gave him majority of nearly A.
600 votes. He died In month after he
entered upon his great office; but not the
memory Of his services, which will ever
remain fresh and imperishable. And now,
to-day, in Indiana, among people tstimat-
ing high the services and character Of Gen.
Benjamin Harrison, and holding in affec-
ton the memory of "Oid TippecaDOe, I"
the latch strings of the people are hOspita-
bly, ont to you, and their doors are wait
ing to fly open at your touch to let in the
joyful sir that shall bear upon its wings
the message that Benjamin Harrison, the
soldier statesman, has been nominated for
President of the United States.
Adyioe tn Mothers,