The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-11-15
GEN. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
A Erief Sketch OF tzae Career oftEic Pres
ident Elect.

! GEN. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
A Brief SIX etch OF tsse Career orshc Pres.
ident-Elecf.
Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, who. if
he lives, will be the next President of the
United States. was born August 20. 1888
at the home of his grandfather. Gen. Will
liam Henry Harrison. at North Bend,
Ohio some fifteen miles below Cipcin-
natl, on the Ohio River. At the age Of
| fourteen he was sent to an academy in the
suburb of Cincinnati. and in 1850 he en-
tered Mama University at Oxford, Ohio,
as a junior. His career at college was
that of an earnest, diligeEt student. and
he was graduated in 1852 fourth III class
of sixteen. Rev. David Swing. of Chicago.
taking second Donors and Hon. Milton
Saylor being the first in rank. The sub
ject of young Harrisons graduating ad
dress was The Poor of England and
his treatment of 1t showed that he had
/ sounded both the depths and causes of this
] poverty.
After his graduation Mr.. Harrison i'm
mediately began the study of law with
Judge Bellany Slower, in Cincinnati, and
before he had fully completed bis studies
he married Miss Carrie l.. Scott, the
daughter of DR.. John w. Scott, president
of a young ladies academy in Oxford, o..
where The university was located. When
he reached bis majority Harrison s father
advanced him $500. and he inherited $500
from an aunt. With this small capital he
removed with his young wife to Indian
apOlis in 1854, and entered upon the prac
tice of his profession. Clients did not
rush into the Office of the young lawyer.
and if he had not received the position of
crier of the United States Court it is quite
likely that he would have been in severe
| financial straits. Gen. Earrson speaks of
the IS so day which he received for his
services as court crier as the first money
he ever made.
His first opening 10 his profession came
to him by accident. In a burglary case
the prosecuting attorney was called away,
and he asked Harrison to make the closing
address to the jury. Though he had but
little time for preparation he made an ex-
cellent argument, and was rewarded by
verdict of guilty from the jury, although
the defence was ably conducted by Gov.
Wallace. His maiden effort was so sue
cessful that he at once formed copartner-
ship with the son of Coy Wallace, who
was against him in that first trial, and who
had been appointed cadet by Gen. Harrl-
sons grandfather when President. Bust
ness and fair amount of success came
| to the young firm, but in 1860 Wallace was
made clerk of the Circuit Court, and Har
rison was elected Supreme Court reporter
at salary of $500.
During his canyass for that Office 20 ung
Harrison met Hon. Thos. A. Hendricks in
joint debate, and as the issue of that cam
paign was the swamp lands question, one
with which Harrison was thoroughly ia
miliar, he was more than match for his
distinguished opponent. Senator Voor
hees came to Hendricks assistance, but
Harrison easily routed both. This incl
dent established his reputation as politi
cahspeaker.
In 1862 Mr.. Harrison enlisted as a pri-
vate, but raised a company of which he
was commissioned captain. This was as
signed to the 18th regiment, and when the
force marched to the front, Harrison was
in command as its colonel. Although he
had no previous experience in military af-
fairs, he at once made it his business to
thoroughly inform himself as to his new
duties. and soon had his command in ex-
celent discipline. He looked after the
comfort of his Glen, and they learned to
have great confidence in his skill and
judgment. He first went to Bowling
Green, KY. to defend Southern Indiana
against Kirby Smith s guerilla raids. La
ter, at Resseca, he had an opportunity to
distinguish himself and led a brilliant
charge which resulted in one-third of his
command being killed and wounded. AT
Peach Tree Creek he rendered such gal
liant service that he was complimented by
Gen. Hooker on the field with the remark:
by God, Ben. Harrison. I will make you
brigadier for this day IS work." He kept
his word and wrote to Secretary Stanton
asking promotion for this gallant yolng
colonel.
At the flose Of the war Harrison was
again elected reporter of the Indiana Su
preme Court and declined a reelection in
1868, preferring.t to devote his entire time
to the practice of his profession. In 1876
he was nominated for Govv7sess7 ssTodlove |
s. Orth having withdrawn from the car
vass because he was not in harmony with |
the views of the Republican party on the
financial question. Although he did not
expect an election, Gen. Harrison entered |
into the campaign with characteristic
vigor and ran 1900 ahead Of his ticket
This gave him such claim upon his par
ty that in 1881 every prominent rival with
drew and he was elected U. S. Senator by
reclamation. His record in the Senate is
we'll known: his Dakota report and speeches |
and his speeches on the Edmunds resolu-
tion regarding civil s3Ivice reform, being
among his ablest efforts. He failed Of re-
election to the Senate in 1887 and returned
to the practice of law. His nomination
al Chicago for the Presidency last June
did not greatly epthuse his party, but his
conduct during the whole campaign has
been dignified and discreet. His ability
as speaker has been severely tested, but
in all his speeches he has dwelt upon the
cardinal principles of bis party's plat
form, and has avoided all personalities.
Gen. Harrison has most distinguished
ancestry. The first of his race who be-
came famous was hanged October 10. 1860,
but for his virtues and not for his yieea
lie was maj general under Cromwell and
signed the death warrant of Charles |.
After his execution by Charles IL the
family emigrated, and the first descendant
of the Round Head reglcide VINO became
famous bore the same name as the Presi-
dent elect. He was signer of the Decla-
ration of Independence, a colonial Cone
gresham and thrice elected governor OF
| Virginia, His son, Gen, VIM. Henry Har-
/ rtqnn earvpd hic eanntrv hnf n in Tho array