The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-03-16
HANNIBAL HANHIN.
He Gives His Impressions Of Gen. Harrison
"Reminiscences Of Lincoln.

He Gives His Impressions Of Gen. Harrison-
"Reminiscences OF Lincoln.
"Gath," in Cincinnati Enquirer.
SIS it not probable that President Har-
rison is better gathered up for Office than
his grandfather, General Harrison9"
"Oh, I think so. There was not much
thinking or sense about the campaign of
1910, though it was land-sweep. An old
condition of things had worn out the public
patience, and the new elements in the cOuD-
try had become formidable, so that revo-
luton in favor of a Western man, and one
with some historical record, was imminent.
General Harrison was what we might call
a spread-eagle man. His inaugural address
was all that style. But this, man who
surprised me. and in nothing so
much as his speeches during the
late campaign. When he commenced
to speak remarked: Now that fellow will
catch his finger in the crack he has opened
his speeches became better as he made the
more of them. In a little while felt per-
fectly satisfied that he was not going to
make q mistake. He kept his doors open
and did not shut himself away from the
people. He spoke. with. discretion, and
stay at home and draw the interest of Indi-
ana to himself, for he ultimately carried
the State and saved further contest. To-
day have been standing beside him on the
ucIt. ROb % very SOOu lued Oh Ills
inaugural address, although. I could not
hear the whole of it, But it impressed me
spoke of the informal method of
the new President, thus meeting the
people. and took it as an augury that
lOw-citizens, witt reciprocal obligations"
Were you acquainted with Abraham
Lincoln when he was in Congress back in
the forties so long before he was singled out
for Douglass Opponentp
which will tell you about. When Lincoln
and ran on the presidential ticket in 1860
and were elected, he wrote to me, asking if
L could not come to Chicago and see him, as
there were. some things he thought we
ought to talk over together. l went &C
cordingly, and, sending up my card, was
Immediately admitted. He advanced to-
ward me, and in moment after looking
me over, he said: 'Hamlin, were we ever
That is a strange thing for you to ask, Mr..
Lincoln said l, because if you had not
spoken at the moment was going to ask
the same question. / know you so well
that the manner of our meeting was a
query with me. Now, / do not recollect
tell you how well / recollect you. /
went into the House of Representatives
one day when l was Senator, and tall
man was making speech which began to
was belittling his military reputation The
speaker said: Well, / was a war
rior, too. went to the Black Hawk war,
but it never occurred to me to run for Presi-
dent on that military reputation, and /
think it was about as considerable as that
of General Cass.' He illustrated this speech
in such humorous way that nearly split
my sides laughing. That man was Abra-
ham Lincoln How strange that Isl re-
piled Lincoln. And now can see how we
oth xyif hoy
troduced. One day l went to the Senate in
languid mood. and new man compare
lively there was making a speech on the
question of slavery in the Territories. L
found in moment that he was running on
the thread of my own discourse upon that
subject. ] took seat and heard the whole
speech and then became acquainted with
Hannibal Hamlin'v