The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-06-22
The Choice of the Republican
Party for President.

Inc DENOMINATION OF Gen. BENJAMIN
Harrison as the candidate of the Repub-
lican party for the presidency Of the
United States gives a sketch of his early
life and subsequent career added interest
at this time. "Indiana's Favorite Son."
as the president has been dubbed since
the campaign Of 1886, as every one knows
is the grandson of William Henry Har-
risOn, who was elected to the high Office
Of president in the 'log cabin and hard
cider campaign" of 1910, and whose own
father was member of the Virginia
house of burgesses when Patrick Henry
made his celebrated speech in favor ofthe
union. The family came of English
stock, and one Of them developed the
democratic ideas of his descendants in
attempting to establish a republic in
Great Britain with Cromwell and his
associates.
Benjamin Harrison was born on the
Goth of August, 1888, in North Bend, Ind
His father, Scott Isarrison. had served in
congress and was one OF the foremost
men in the community in which he lived.
Young Harrison made the most Of his
advantages. lie was good student and
prepared himself both in the public
school and for while under tutor to
enter the Miami university, which he
did at the age Of l6. He graduated with
honors two years later, and almost i'm
mediately on leaving college he began
the study ofthe law in the Office Of
Judge Bellamy Storer in Cincinnati, and
was admitted TO the bar before he was
p years Of age. Just before this period
he married Miss Cartel. Scott, daughter
of the Rev. ]. W. Scott, of Oxford, 0.
Mr. Harrison moved to indianapolis in
1851, his entire fortune consisting Of
$500 and his talents. He soon began to
make heAdway. Being selected as
assistant prosecutor in a case which
involved the wholesale poisoning Of
persons in hotel by the introduction
Of poison in the coffee, he made such a
case against the prisoner as TO secure a
conviction. Ever since then he has been
one of the most prominent figures at the
Indiana bar and is now acknowledge to
stand at its head. In 1850 he ran for
and was elected to the position Of repor-
ter of the supreme court Of Indiana for
four years. In the duties ofthis position
and in the general practice of the Law he
passed the time until 1862 Harrison
did not at lirst conceive it his duty to 90
to the front, but when the union armies
of the war OF the rebellion had met with
decided reverses and Oliver 2. Morton
said TO him, "Ben, l went you to raise a
regiment" he responded with alacrity.
lie did raise regiment and was COM
missioned first q lieutenant, then a cap
tain and then colonel Of the Seventieth
Indiana regiment. His men grumbled
at the severe discipline he enforced and
the heavy training he put them through
but they were grateful to their colonel
afterwards when they went into action.
Col. Harrison's command was one of the
most efficient in the brigade. At the
the battle of Resaca on May Is, 1864, Col.
Harrison displayed undoudted bravery
and his command captured the only can
non taken in tie campaign. It was
after this affair that Gen. Joe Hooker
rode up to Harrison and exclaimed:
"Ben Harrison, Il Il make you brigadier
for this days work"
He did, for the msjor-general sent a
dispatch to the secretary of war recon-
mending Col. Harrison for pro motion to
the rank of brigadier-gereral, and giving
him unstinted praise for his fighting
qualities. Gen. Harrison fought with
sherman through the Atlanta campaign
and was mustered out at the close Of the
war with a record second to none.
Gen. Harrison has been a Republican
since the birth of the party. His first
speeches were made in the campaign Of
1856. He says he was drafted into the
service of the Republican party and that
having refused through modesty to make
a speech he was carried into the midst
of the audience and compelled to declare
his political faith, thing not very diff
cult of accomplishment.
When in 1864 his term as reporter of
the supreme court of Indiana expired, be
made billiant canvass ofthe state under
a thirty days leave of absence, and was
reelected by large majority. At the
expiration Of his term he was requested
to become once more a candidate,
but he decided to devote Lis whole time
to the practice of the law. Thus hesPent
eight years. At the end Of this term he
ran for the goxernorship, but was defeat
ed though polling 1000 more votes than
the average of his ticket.
In 1877 Gea. Harrison was prominent
in bringing about settlement Of the big
railroad strikes Of that year. In 1880 be
10 took a leading part in the campaign
a,a affsr tl,s. GREAT ReDublican victory OF