New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-27
last wORDS AT INDIANAPOLIS.


General Harrison has made many admirable
speeches at indianapolis during the last elgnt
months, but he reserved the best for the last.
He parting words to his friends ana nelghbors
came from the depths Of his heart, and were
s4eened with tenderness OF feeling. lie was
abort n leave his home, and he told them in
simnle unaffected language how happy and
contented he had been there and how glad he
vunld he to return Then, with quick and
natural transition, he referred to the high sta
ton which he was to occupy. There is a
great sense Of loneliness" he exclaimed, Gin
the discharge Of high public duties The
moment Of decision is one OF isolation" The
Presidency is so familiar an Office to Ameri-
cans, and is the goal Of so many ambitious
statesmen, that its unique character and over
whelming Importance are not ordinarily per
ceiyed. 1t is only when man OF genuine
force and eamestness like General Harrison Is
APPOINTED by universal suffrage ruler over sixty
millions Of freemen that an adequate sense Of
the responsibilities of the greatest office on
earth is impaired to an American. Conspic-
uous as the President may be as the first citi-
zen Of the Nation, figure OF commanding inn
portance ON a crowded stage, he must often
lose sight of his audience and commune with
his own heart and be still. There may be o
horde of officeSeekers about him. but no man
living can share with him the functions Of that
exalted office. A President worthy Of the
office must have the feeling Of which General
Harrison spoke-that Of loneliness in it-of
s.rangeness and isolation.
During the recent canvass General Harrison
was frequently described by our friends the
enemy as n cold man, who lacked the power
Of exciting enthusiasm. His afectionate words
to his neighbors and his sympathetic ex-
pressions Of personal obligation to the people
Of Indiana attest the warmth and simplicity
Of his nature, while the throngs gathering
along his route TO Washington have dem
onstrated the respect and popular favor which
he already commands from the American peo-
pie. He was not ashamed to let his fellow
townsmen see that he was touched by the evil
dences Of their esteem and good feeling. II
they were proud Of his success for the sake OF
the town, he also shared their feeling Of local
pride and attachment TO home. The lines had
fallen unto him In pleasant places in In
dianapolis. The regard and sympathy Of his
neighbors and friends had made bis life worth
living. lie would always be glad 10 return to
a city which he had learned TO love, aud would
welcome the day when release from public sta
ton would restore him to the old congenial
circle Of acquaintance. A statesman who can
speak Of his home and his lifelong neighbors
in that strain canibt be sneered at as o cold
man.
General Harrison's affectionate greetings
20 his neighbors offer a marked contrast TO the
retiring Presidents relations to tho city which
he once called his home. Only once since Mr..
Cleveland has been in Office has he returned to
Buffalo and then only. to spend twenty-four
hours and 10 cast vote. Not once has he re-
ferred in terms Of affection and kindly feeling
to the town where his professional career as
lawyer was passed. Many times has he ex-
pressed his dislike for the city and his feeling
that he had never been appreciated there. With
very few exceptions his old friends when they
have called upon him in Washington have been
coolly received. Ile gave mp his right Of cit
izenship in the town during his term, and made
no conceaIment Of the fact that he never in
tended to live there again. This resentful
hostility on his part to the town was keenly
felt In the cherished home OF President Fill
more, who was always deeply attached TO
Buffalo, and delighted TO associate IL with his
own civic tIiumphs. General Harrison Is
too great man to be ashamed Of his own
home and neighbors When his work is done
in Washington he will return with gladncss
to his own place. Byron's striking lines will
never apply to him:
lie entered I'm his house-hs home no more,
For without hearts there Is no home and felt
The solitude Of passing his own eoor
without a welcome. rg1.st.