The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-19

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

Incidents and circumstances Connected with
His Death-Wsrning for His Grandson.
Gath's New York Letter.
The next administration has but one visible
apprehension among its we'll wishers, and that is
the death of Benjamin Harrison. like his presiden-
tial grandfather. Harrisons health has been
sadly worn in the late campaign, and the vice
presidential candidate 10 past sixty-four years OF
age, snd somewhat in need of retirement aud
rest. Whatever may be said of Mr.. Morton, he
has not been in the strong center OF affairs like
General Harrison, and the influences which
might direct him from about this financial CEN
ter are not such as will affect the President
elect. who has been brought up in the heart of
the West, and looks TO the public opinion or
men more than TO any particular city opinion or
set opinion. In the event Of the President and
the Vice-president dying. by the existing law the
Secretary OF State would hold over. This makes
the appointment of a Secretary OF State of high
emphasis.
In looking over the circumstances of the death
Ct General Harrison, in Niles's Register, | lind
reason for the friends of his grandson to give
him some peace, IL they expect him to live.
Niless Register was published at Baltimore,
adjacent to Washington, and these are the par
ticulars to be found in its number OF April 10,
l84l:
From the moment General Harrison was
elected President to the day of his illness his
heart has been filled with gratitude TO the peo-
pie, to whom, indeed. he has always been afec-
~tionately devoted. In the generosity Of that
heart he has invariably opened his doors wide to
the reception of his friends. and his house has
been the abode of hospitality and kindness, he
has INDUCED his friends, alas, to his own de-
etructiou. From sunrise in the morning until
nearly midnight in the evening be has necessarily
devoted himself to his fellow-citizens who visit
ed him, with the exception OF the hour each day
spent in Cabinet council. Ii was his habit after
arising, first to peruse his Bible. then to take a
walk before breakfast. Frequently he would
bring in with him persons he had met 10 his
walk, to breakfast with him; and afterward the
whole day would be spent in receiving company
and transactirg business.
'On Thursday morning week the porter. who
found him reading the Bible. aud even then
complaining Of indisposition, suggested to him
the propriety of excluding visitors until 10
o'clock in the morning. Nc, no. said the kind
hearted President. let them come in. Many of
them have come from distant States to see me.
and they wish to get home; | will not refuse
them
ION Saturday morning week 70 saw him,
and be was at that time complaining Of a head
ache, and expressed his regret that he had so
little time to attend to important business be-
fore him, ~alluding to a map OF Florida, which he
desired to exemine. as he wished TO bring the
war in that Territory to a close. We believe
the last letter he wrote was on the subject OF
that war. The same afternoon he was taken
with a chill, and retired to that bed which has
in eight days proved his last.
1--WE were not without hope of his recovery
until the afternoon or last saturday, Wnen q
serious diarrh9s came on, under which he soon
sank.
Religious services were performed by the
Rev. Mr.. Hall Saturday evening. and he did not
seem to become insensible until 10 o'clock. Ats
quarter before 10 o'clock the President gave ut
terance to his last wish. 1t was taken down at
the instant by DIR. Worthington, and deserves to
be remembered es rejecting glory upon bis
death. II was in the following words, and it
may be supposed to be addressed to Governor
Tyler, who becomes General Harfisons successor
under the Constitutions: Sir. L wish you to un-
derstapd the true principles Of the government
l wish them carried ont | ask nothing more
lat about 10 o'clock the General raised par
tally from his pillow and coughed. Afterward
there was not the slightest indication of sensi-
bility, he gradually failing until the pulse first
departed from the left arm. and Immediately
after, at half past - o'clock, the circulation On
tirely stopped, and General Harrison, without .
struggle, went into the eternal sleep.
'"There were present. At the closing scene. In
addition to the medical attendants, such Of the
relatives of the family as were 10 the city, and
several members of the Cabinet, Colonies Todd
and Chambers, who we're the aids OF the Gen.
eral az the battle Of the Thames. and q number
Of other personal friends"
From the above account 1t seems manifest
that General Harrison went through a most ex-
citing campaign. and in the interval Of his vic
tory, and after he became President, he con-
tin ued to permit himself 20 be bullied. palavered
and crowded upon by all manner Of time and
fesh-devourers. There is not the least necessity
OF his grandson conceding his whole time to this
class Of people. In fact. the President-elec is
in receipt os no salary, and is not e man Of
means; aud he should have his whole time TO
put bis affairs in order between now and the
time Of his presidency.