The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-16

in the large, and in their more general
relations, and has n distaste for detail
of which, nevertheless, an intolerable
amount must fall to his share.
'Thc presidents business goes on nil
the time" he said land the more the
population of the country, the more
Will he have to do" ! suggested that
the enlargement of the nation would be
practically indefinite, whereas the ca
pacity OF man was necessarily limited,
and must come to an end sooner or
later Mr. Harrison looked down and
intimatcd that the situation was never
theless as he had put it, there seemed
to be no provision to enable the chief
magistrate to delegate or otherwise es-
cape from his duties. He must do it all
himself. III can't sign papers submit
ted to me quite blindly; j must look
into them enough to get Some idea of
their quality. If the attorney general
wants me to affix my signature l must
look through the brief.
'If the hours for different branches
of work could be fixed" he went on,
''the dispatch of business would be
promoted. If l knew that, for GER
tain length of time, could pursue one
line of thought or labor without in
terruption-but no such thing is posi-
BILE. If set myself to pursue a GER
tain line of thought there comes
knock at the door, and must break off
and give my attention for ten minutes
or half an hour to an entirely foreign
matter; when that is dispatched, and l
get to work again, and am making
some progress perhaps-another inter-
ruption. And so it goes on day after
day. l can never be free from approach
of those who require to see me. There
is no door that can shut. | can't hide
anywhere can't hide anywhere"
There was. rs have already in
timatcd twinkle of grim humor in
Mr.. uarrison's eyes rs he said it. His
eyes are noticeable; sharply pointed Mt
the inner corners and set with some
what of a downward inclination to-
ward the nose, and dark gray in color
They reminded me of the eyes of n
grizzly bear. l record this observation
for whatever it may be worth. Those
who are better acquainted with Mr..
Harrison than ] can ever be will be
able to estimate it's worth.
I asked him whether the magnitude
and dignity of his Office did not carr y
with it a sort of inspiration, enabling
him to endure these annoyances.
Sometimes that may be the case"
replied the president, when the mat
tiers with which have had to deal are
great. But there is no inspiration in
petty things. The American people are
kind-thcy are very lSind-charitable
and good-naturcd; but they do not al
always consider the difficulties. The
only thing to be done is to meet them
as best one can. When l was going
through the campaign two years ago,
and came in after n hard days work,
tired and heated and sweating; and
took bath and put on fresh shirt,
and sat down to rest after it ALL
would be told that there was some one
to sec me; and in would come some old
fellow, kind and simple and hearty. who
didn't want to take up my time, or to
annoy me. or to ask for any
thing, but just to thank me, and
wish me God-speed and happiness.
And then | would think, whatever
comes of it, must meet these people,
and receive what they bring in the
spirit they bring it; if it kills me. must
do itl''
As Mr.. Harrison spoke the last words
he flung out his arm, and an emphasis
almost fierce came into his voice. The
question and the tone revealed the
depth OF passion in the man generally
concealed by the cold and quiet ex-
terror lie was the chosen leader of
the republican party and the chief mag
istrate of the greatest of nations; and
though 'plain man" in speech and as
pect, and merely in casual chat with a
stranger, the dimensions of his charac-
ter and the force of his nature were in.
dicatcd; just us, in a night attack, the
chance flash of cannon reveals the ex-
tent and position of the engaging army.
There is, imagine, no stronger man
than he among his followers, and none
who, upon the whole, is SO well fitted to
do the work.
Mr., Harrison is. ! believe. at present
engaged in framing his message.
don't suppose he will allude in it to this
matter, SO will do what can to COM
pensate him for the half hour spent
with him, by publishing this little mar
rative. Possibly it may come under
the eye of some honest clcctor in some
part Of the country who had been con-
templating visit to Washington to see
the capitol and the monument. and to
take the president by the hand. If the
reading of what is here written shall
induce him to reconsider the last part
at least of this programme it will be so
much the better for all parties con.
cerned The president cannot hide any
where; but it is in our power to refrain
from going in search of him.
,JIIIIkS IIAwTuODNE