New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-21
GENERAL HARRISONS VORK.

"Harper's Weekly" affects to believe that
General Harrison's letter does not leave = the
impression of strong personality" Readers
of his admirable speech in yesterdays paper
in which he warned the voters of the country
that the spectre Of lower wages" will always
haunt the feast of cheapness" to which they
are invited will wonder in what way strong
personality must demonstrate itself to suit
"Harpers Weekly" In fact, the scenes thas
are being daily enacted at the home of the Re
publican candida are the best possible proofs
of the force and depth Of his personal character
Visitors como in by the thousand every day.
from all the Western States, and are received
with warm kindness, hearty sincerity and ster-
ling good sense. The people of Indianapolis
tell them what they know of the noble and
spotless private life of the Republican candi-
date and in return they hear of the splendid
progrcss of the Republican cause in other parts
Of the West. Then the General himself greets
with unaffected simplicity those who come to
see him, impresses all with his manliness and
worth, and in brief speeches gives to all the
master thoughts which unlock the disputed
problems of current discussion
These speeches of General Harrison are mar
yellous. For months he has been talking
frankly and freely almost every day. Instead
of cautious reserve, he exhibits wonderful free
dom from restraint and his speeches, though
generally brief go to the very root OF the mat
ter There is no topic of public discussion
which he has not treated. He follows no one
lead. but often dissents from other prominent
n MIA
teachings of his party he does not hesitate TO
give his own Interpretation wherever dl-
ference of Interpretation is possible On the
surplus question, the tariff question, the purity
of elections and the reform of the Civil Ser
vice. he gives in pregnant sentences the very
essence of Republican principles. No moro con-
vincing arguments on the tariff question have
been made by any other speaker in this remark
able campaign.
Yet all these speeches are alike in one re-
spect--they are entirely unassailable. Lynx
eyed opponents have watched every day for an
unguarded word which could be used against
the candidate or his party. They have watched
| in vain. Not one sentence or phrase uttered
| by Mr.. Harrison has been found OF any use
whatever to his opponents; not one has been
seriously controverted as unsound or untrue
not one has been calculated to repel any portion
of his supporters, or has given reasonable Of
fence, as extreme or violent in partisanship, to
his political opponents. But host Of ideas and
pithy sentences from his lips have gone into the
Republican campaign, and are now in daily
use as effective weapons all over the country
| A man so frank, so manly and so judicious,
gains confidence and affection every day Gener-
al Harrison has done more to assist his own cleo
ton, merely by showing himself the man that
he is, than any other speaker, contributor OF
leader has yet done for him. The political
influence of these meetings at his home can
hardly be overestimated. Friends and foes will
have to admit, whether Western States give
remarkable Republican majorties as now seems
probable, or fall behind expectations, that they
would have done less for the Republican cause
if candidate so peculiarly qualified as General
Harrison had not been nominated, or If he had
kept silent. His own personal strength, the
hearty appreciation of the sound sense, pru-
dence, ability and patriotism he has shown, VIII
be worth thousands of votes to his party when
the decisive struggle comes, and justify con-
fdent hopes Of victory in every Western State