The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-06-27
GENERAL BENJAMIN HARRISON.


The Life and Public Services of the Repub-
iican Candidate for President.
To Republican politicians who are IA
vorable to the selection of candidate
about whose zeal there can be no ques-
ton. General Benjamin Harrison is an
attractive figure. Not without reason
for he comes of historic line, he has
been champion of his party for years,
and he has qualities of head and heart
that enable him to be regarded as a
favorite son., Majors General Harri-
son, an English ancestor, bore arms
with Oliver Cromwell, aud rose with him
to prominence in the Revolution. 1t fell
to his lot to sign the death warrant Of
Charles /, and after the Restoration he
paid the penalty for this act, being hang
ed October 18th, 1860. Benjamin Har-
rison, the first descendant of Cromwell's
General who appears in American his
tory, was member of the Virginia
House of Burgesses, later delegate to
the Colonial Congress. signer of the
Declaration of Independence, three times
elected Governor Of Virginia, and menu
Der of the convention that ratified the
Constitution. His son was General Will
liam Henry Harrison, whose honorable
career as soldier and statesman culmi.
mated in his election to the Presidency
in 1910, to DO followed by his death in
the " hite House one month after his
Inauguration. John Scott Harrison. the
son of President Harrison, was the father
of the subject of this sketch.
Benjamin Harrison was born at North
Bend, Ohio. August Goth, 1888. Physi.
cally and mentally vigorous, he early
manifested desire to begin an active
ani independent career. At sixteen
he entered Miami University, at Oxford,
Ohio, and two years later was graduated.
He had an early inclination for the legal
profession. On leaving college he be-
gan in Cincinnati. with the Hon. b.
Storer as his preceptor, the study OF
law, and in 1854 he entered upon the
practice of his profession in indianapolis.
He was twenty-one, square-shouldered,
fair haired, rather serious, reserved in
manner, with no inheritance except his
education and good name, without ac-
quaintance, but with wife to provide
for. A Legislative investigation, in which
he secured employment through the
Democratic Governor, Joseph A. Wright,
brought him into notice. The ability
that he displayed won for him the high
est praise of lawyers and laymen. From
that time his abilities were fully occu.
pied. He soon acquired the reputation
Of consummate skill in the preparation
of cases, became an expert examiner OF
witnesses, discussed legal questions in
written briefs or oral arguments with
convincing logic, and became one OF the
leaders of his profession as an advocate.
II was inevitable that he should drift
into politics. With many young men Of
generous impulses he joined the Repub-
lican party, and with superior oratorical
ability, he soon became known as one Of
the best and most fearless Republican
speakers. II amazed the Democrats OF
the State to see him challenge Mr.. Thos.
A. Hendricks to "diyide time Z" but it
was afterwards declared by the chairman
OF the meeting that he had "never heard
man skin an opponent as quickly as
Ben Harrison did Hendricks that day
In 1860 he was candidate for Reporter
OF the Supreme Court, and in the Linz
coin campaign Of that year he was elect
ed. He cared little for the Office except
for the opportunity that it gave him to
continue in the study Of bis profession
of an increase Of income.
The outbreak of the Rebellion soon
dragged him from the life Of the citizen
to that Of soldier. Governor Morton,
in July, 1862, asked him to asaiat in re-
cruiting a regiment under the Presidents
call for 100000 three-year troops. He
received the first commission Of the 10th
Regiment, and as Second Lieutenant
inspired such enthusiasm wherever he
went that he soon raised Company A.
was made Captain, helped to fill up the
other companies OF the regiment, and in
less than month had completed it, and
was at its head as Colonel, ready 70 go
to the front. Governor Morton signi-
fed willingness to accept his resigna-
ton il he chose to remain at home and
hold his civil Office. But Colonel Har.
rison preferred the military service. He
served through Kentucky and Tennessee
up to January, 1864, and his regiment
was assigned to the LIST Brigade Of the
3D. Division Of the Goth Army Corps.
He was ordered to lead the assault at
Resaca on May 10Th, 1864. The duty
was calamity performed, his command
rushing irresistibIy over the enemy's
terrible lines and capturing both lines
and guns. At Peach.tree Greek, while
commanding his brigade, his soIdierly
qualities drew from his commanding
officer, General Joe Z Hooker, the
most enthusiastic praise. Onthe battle
field he declared that he would make
Colonel Harrison Brigadier- General for
his part in the fight. And he wrote a
dispatch to Secretary Of War Stanton.
in which he recommended his promo
ton, complimented his brigade for its