The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-06-22

fuDttc DtscuBstOA OF the uiknty Sues-
lions
that had begun to agitate the country
and he was early matched against some
of the most eminent speakers of the Dem
ocratic party. None who ever felt the
point of his blade desired to engage with
him again. Possessing oratorical powers
of high order, he has never spoken for
mere rhetorical effect. He seems to have
remembered the saying of that great
Irish orator and patriot, O'Connell, that
a good speech is q good thing but that the
verdict is the thing. He therefore
pierced the core of every question he dis
cussed and fought to win in every contest
in which he engaged. He has taken part
as public speaker in every presidential
campaign since he came into Indiana, ex
cept the one that occurred during his
service in the army, and
He Threw His Sword Into That.
In recognition of his services in the ar
Gent and prolonged struggle of the Re-
publican party for the rights of man and
for the restoration and integrity of the
Union, the Republicans in the legisla-
ture of 1881 chose him to be q senator of
the United States.
have not time to enter into detailed
His rank was among the highest. The
delegates from Dakota will bear witness
to the unremitting energy Of his efforts
to have that territory admitted as state
into the Union, when for the crime of
being faithful to Republican principles
the Democratic party resolved to keep it
out. Everybody will recall his complete
exposure of the
Civil Service Reform Sham.
Standing here on behalf of a man who,
disdaining all adventurous helps, has
risen to distinction by force of his own
merits, should regard myself unchiyal-
ric did l not recall, at least in brief, a re-
view Of some Of the worthy public
achievements of his ancestors. What
ever tends to show that a life which has
been strong and useful has q foundation
in traits that have long chung to the
stock from which the man sprung, is in
the nature Of a guarantee that he may be
trusted under all trials. 1t is something
that the public, who are interested in
being faithfully served, are entitled to
know.
We stand here to-day in this imperial
city of the Northwest. The name of no fam
lily has ever been more identified with the
Benjamin Harrison. 1t is woven into the
very fabric of the history of her people.
When the Northwest was formed by con-
gresS into a territory,
william Henry Harrison Was First Its
Secretary
and afterward its delegate to congress.
When Indiana territory was formed, en-
bracing all the territory of the North
west except Ohio and part of Mich
igan, he was appointed the
first governor. He held commissions
as governor successfully from Adams,
Jefferson and Madison. While a dele
gate in congress he obtained the passage
Of the law requiring sales of public lands
to be made in smaller subdivisions than
had ever been allowed before, so that for
the first time q man Of humble means
might buy from his government home.
He negotiated treaties with the Indians
while governor. In a single one of
these treaties the Indians relin-
about a third of Illinois and a vast
region in southern Wisconsin. He fought
in Indiana under the present administra-
ton.
He possesses all that You should desire
doctrine, a comprehensive grasp of mind,
a calm Judgment, firm principles, I'M
quailing courage and pure character.
The eloquent gentleman from Illinois
has commended to your favor another
distinguished citizen of Indiana. A
states place in civilization is denoted by
the manner in which she treats those
who have served her faithfully. 1 have
always honored old historic Massachu-
sets for the manner in which she cher
ishes the fame of those who, in whataver
department Of service, have reflected
honor upon the commonwealth. How
she calls the roll with pride, how impa-
tent she becomes when their names are
aspersed or disparagsd.
have not come here to disparage that
honorable gentleman, brave and just
judge and heroic soldier whom the gen
tleman from Illinois has commended. II
the roll of all Illinois sons were called
who led in battle or carried knapsack,
she would bid, ms honor them all. There
is no need that should strive to dwarf
others in order that
Gen. benjamin. Harrison May Sand Con-
spicuous.
He stood breast to breast with the fore
most of Indiana's soldiers, distinguished
also in civil trusts, hsroically faithful to
public duty, skillful in marshaling men,
to the sound Of whose bugle they quickly
rally and fall into ranks; whom they
have followed in fierce oanvasses, more
than once, to desperate charges with vic
tory.
The Battle of Tippscanoe,
and defeating the plans Of that great
statesman and warrior, Tscumssch, and
what, though less shining, was not less
welcome to the settlers Of the territory,
scanty in means and struggling with
difficulties, he procured the passage Of
laws that made the burden of taxes
lighter upon the poor.
We hear of civil service reform as IL 1t
were some quite new suggestion. But
President Harrison, in the single month
that he held Office, directed the
heads of the various departments to give
information to all their officers and
agents that partisan interference by
them In popular elections, whether Of
state officers or officers of federal govern
ment, payment Of any contributions or
assessment on salaries of official compsn-
sation for yearly election purposes would
be
Regarded by Him as Cause for Removal.
And now to-day in IdianA, among peo-
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