New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-09
HARRISON'S EARLY DAYS
A PICTURE OF THE OLD OHIO FARM LIFE
BENJAMIN BUrrEgwoRrH's WARM TRIBUTE TO ME-


BENJAMIN BUrrEnwoRrH's WARM TRIBUTE TO ME-
HARRISON AS CITIZEN AND MAN.
Below are given, by permission, some cS.ra''S
from o letter written by Congressman bchJan
Butterworth, Of Ohio, TO a personal friend III 'n''
city This friend had asked Mr.. Buttcrworth's opin,
ion of General Harrison; and the reply, intended
only for the eye of a correspondent, Is sincere
and eloquent tribute to the Generals worth as
a citizen and a public man. Mr.. Butferwor'n
says:
In your letter you ask mo what know about beu
Harrison I know all about him. / don't think
there's flaw in him, and do not speak as kepuo
lean, but as citizen as one who Knows inc mural
and mental makeup of Ben Harrison Ills speecnos
surprise a great many on account OF their grasp Va
many subjects concerning which he speaks, ana 'po
thoroughly practical views he entertains on All S""
ects which arc of interest to the American peopic.
I am not bit surprised for know the man.
should have been greatly disappointed II ne ma"
not developed the strong characteristics whch efo.
out In all his speeches In manner OF thought a""
expression he reminds me more OF Lincoln than "''y
candidate we have had. He don't Know now
to be a trimmer but speaks from thorough conV''-
ton OF duty and an inspiration which springs '"'
adherence to right ~
You know he born Just over across tne Mus
from where you and l first saw the hght, anu "'
experience was about the same as ours its ia'r
TO say that he made better use OF his oppor'u"'e'
Than we did. Leastwse, that IS the logic OF the s-
alton: else we would both be candidates on sons
ticket for the Presidency But Ben Harrsons
experience was Just like He was farmers
how lived in little farmhouse, had TO tumble Out Oh
bed between and O'Clock the year round-iD spriDs
and summer feed and get ready to drop corn an"
potatoes, or rake hay, by the time the sun was up
He knew how to feed the pigs, how to teaeh ca"
10 drink milk out Of bucket, could harness horSo
10 ,flo NJ he
ers, boys knew how to do He used to go to NH
on sack of wheat corn, balance IL o'er
tho horses back by getting on on"
end of it, holding on 10 INC
name while he going up hill, feeling ANXIOUS "oo"
the result lie had the usual number OK stone pro''
and studded toes, and the average NUMBER Oh "a'''
his foot that fell TO the portion of the rest oil Us
He knew how to get up feed milk, ana neh s'"u,
his lessons by little taow dip, walk two mics an"
half TO school and get there In time 10 play buipen
for half an hour before books
He has ploushed many time In rooty ground-aRh
right here | think maybe he had more patience ina"
either OF US, for l don't know whether wheh ,lio
plough struck root and broke 1t and one end Oh INC
broken root flew back and cracked him on the shin,
he swore or not must Quaker as am thao
II he didn't it's to his credit, for am frank 10 say
that my experience in ploughng new ground mas peeu
such that felt that every man who grew proiaho
under the provocaton Of bruised shin was entitled
licking for indulgng in that luxury, and have wishea
many time that my father would hold the plough
handles and get one or two whacks Just as sanp~'"
I never saw broken root strike him, so uohe hno"
lust how he would have performed but he was near
by several times when broken root struch his SON.
and heard my attempt to do the subject justice;
Immediately after which he tried to correct my moral
oblity with blIch. II always seemed 10 me nale
ongh to have your shins broken While AT nara WORN,
and when giving vent to your pent-up feelings 10
have your father come and work vigorously al u1
other end of you to teach you now u Dc pa"c"'
I don't know how Ben Harrison stood the test.
watch with sick neighbour to help roll logs to help
build cabin, TO be one at barn raS h ,p,nSs and
all Of that experience, which. after all. makes u;
better fitted for the cares and RESPONSIVENESS co. ~
Sur fellow men and creates in us willingness TO
lend helping hand to those who are in distress 1hst
the surroundings of Ben Harrson's ooyhooa Hi'
/ have often chated with him about that early
good sense Of the American people would single him
for the high office of President and lou o%r
had had LEFT upon US the e,e same ne pasndss
school in an old log schoolhouse but, as he tod me
day when we were preparing case IN 81 being
well equipped mentally and So as he said, while no
d not Away; learn a s be made and to e ecE to
the things that were practical and would be usefu1
The characteristics first observed in him are stu
dominant He Is kind mother, While n
courageous any ever knew He woitH ,Hy
consciously offend the humblest or meanest OF civ
ures and by the same token he wouldn't hest.
TO tackle the most powerful II his sense OF duty
quired It, | cannot help but feel that in his nomin
ton we are getting around once more INTO the san
atmosphere that surrounded Abraham Lincoln Whii'
| was devoted to John Sherman, whose eminent puDlc
and Acknowledged integrity and ability seemed
TO ene him the distinguished honor. yet, failln8
in that could but feel that the nomination OF Ben
Harrison Providential. Al, .
The talk about his not being warm-hearted IS INC
veriest rot If there is warm and generous heart
I'm Indiana Il beats I'm the breast OF Ben Harrison.
lie does not glsh sop There is no trace OK
the denagogue about him. He does his whole duty;
wherever nlaced or however situated feel satisfied
that he will be elected and hope that you VIII SEQ
your way clear TO support him. Very truly yours,
BENJAMIN BUTTERWORTH