The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-04-30
PRESIDENT HARRISON BEFORE THE
PEOPLE,


The country is witnessing phenome-
nal journey and series of lemarkable
speeches. President Harrison, with his
wife and portion of the cabinet, is
making journey through the southern
States. 1t is not to be forgotten that
General Harrison was conspicuous and
gallant officer of the Union Army and
participa ed in some of the hottest fights
of the southern campaign. This fact
makes his reception the more significant
and striking. He has been greeted with
cordial welcome and received with
cheers at every railroad station on the
route. The people, the old confederate
soldiers, have met him with open hands
and hearts. He has responded con-
stantly with short, pithy, graceful
speeches, remarkable for their simplicity
tact and power. He carries no encyclO-
pedia and indulges in no labOTed and
ponderous efforts, but talks straight to
the people, about their farms, their busi-
ness, their growth and progress, and
their interest in a great and united coun-
try. And he presents continually the
obligations of law and duty and insists
upon the right of the majority to rule by
constitutional methods and by fair cleo
tiOns. From Virginia to Georgia. from
Georgia to Alabama, and Arkansas and
Texas, he has spoken day after day to
admiring, enthusiastic and applauding
thousands without dissenting word or
hiss. The speeches have not been repe-
titiOns or empty, commonplace compli-
ments; but lucid varied, mastery and
admirable discussions of live topics OF
local and general interest. The speeches
are gems. sparkling with humor and
solid with sense and patriotism. The
people of the country have read them
with continual interest and admiration,
for their rare force and dignity. During
his election canvass, Gen. Harrison gave
Illustrations of this power in continual
addresses, but this excursion has put
these faculties to a larger test and trial,
and he has proved equal to every ext
gency. 1t begins to dawn upon the peo-
pie Of all parties that here is man who
| thinks upon his feet and possesses un-
common resources of logic, immagina-
ton, wit and horse sense. 1t is not ex-
aggeration to say that these speeches
have never been surpassed by any presi-
dent in our history, for felicity, pith and
power. At Galveston, Texas, he received
q great welcome from an immense as
semblage of the people. He responded
with the longest address of the journey.
Ii was grave, able and eloquent pre-
sentation of the advantages of the re.
ciprocity feature of the Mckinley bill
and the mail subsidy bill. He held up
before them the prospects of increasing
trade, the certainty of new markets and
a widening commerce, in American ships
carrying our radiant flag over all the
seas. lie enlarged upon the grow
ing fellowship and trade with all the
South American nations and reminded
them that this policy was national, pa
triOtic and designed to foster and de
velop the industries and prosperity OF
every State, north and south. 1t was {
vigorous, luminous and eloquent vindi
cation of Republican policy and states
manship. He did not mention the Re
publican party by name, but he illustra
ted and defended the policy and purpose
of the laws passed by Republican con
gress. This last address fifty closed thu
imprOmptu responses begun in Virginia
They made a complete display of hi
trained and brilliant powers. He passed
with ease from short and graceful replies
to extended and powerful discussion o
the gravest problems of political econ
omy. And last, but not least, as illus
tratiye of his pOise and sagacity, he ha
committed no mistakes nor uttered
single unwise word. Henjamin Harri
son carries a very level head, very pa
triotic heart and a very resolute soul, de
, voted to the welfare, honor and glory o
America. He has no affinity with Cob
den clubs devoted to English interests
! no affiliatiOn with rotten Tammany Hall
and has no whitewash for election fraud
I committed to increase the vote of sec
, tions and the selfishness Of parties. H
i is for the protection of American labo
{ and industry, he is the foe of dishones
\ elections, dishonest money and the con
, spiracy of the silver kings.-Transcripi