The morning call., 1892-11-11
PRESIDENT HARRISON.


has been absolutely fawless. Ii is not easy
to point to serious mistake he has made
or to a grave error of judgment which can
Va laid TO his charge. II fault can be found
with him, II is that he has been too prone
to try to please. ard that occasionally be
has chosen as objects of favor persons who
were unworthy. a President of the United
States has such vast patronage to bestow
that he would be superhuman if he did not
sometimes choose the wrong man for office.
In this respect Harrison did not err oftener
than the best of his predecessors. His soul
was loyal, and he was keenly grateful to
those who had served the party when he
carried its banner; his gratitude, which
was honorable to his nature, sometimes
blinded him to the higher consideration of
fitness in his appointees. But he sur
rounded himself with cabinet counselors
who, If they were all not equally able or
equally patriotic, comprised among them as
able and as patriotic men as any former
President counted In his political family.
His official papers revealed mind which
Was rather philosophical than practical.
He IAved to dig down below the surface for
the reasons of things, and to illuminate the
questions of the day with sidelights from
unexpected sources. The conclusions to
which he came were generally sound, and II
was his delight to clo.he them in bright die
ton, which did not disdain the art of
rhetoric. But bis mastery of language
never betrayed him into loose logic. Critics
have smiled at the copiousness of his
pbraseology; but it is observed that no one.
even in the heat of the campaign, cared to
lock horns with him On the essential prop
OsItions in his messages.
His leading quality was amiabilty.
When a President cOnfers an appoint
ment. he usually makes four enemies and
one friend. Dir. Harrison was so adroit
that he made no enemies. In the whole OF
the late canvass. no Democrat ever spoke
word in his disparagement. 1t was this
personal popularity which made his nom-
ination at Minneapolis forced conclusion
when Blaine got out Of the way. he was
not eager for the nomination. He was
ready TO accept il; such honors are not to
be declined. But If the convention had
nominated Sherman or Allison or any one
else, he would have aeQueseed cheerfully.
and would have thanked God that In less than
year he would be back in his old home. at
tending to his law practice and surrounded
by the friends and relations be loved.
1t was the death of his wife which filed
the measure of his discomfort with public
life. His vitality went out with her. An
that was deepest In his nature conferred in
the domestic affections. He has written
much and spoken much since he becama
President. But nothing that his lips have
uttered or his pen Transcribed has revealed
the man as he is ike the little notes NJ
thanks which he addressed at Indianapolis
and Washington to those who sympathized
with his sorrow. They are so touching
that the reader feels his heart 90 out 10 the
man who could pen them Since Mrs. Har-
rson's death tie widower has taken 10 in
teTest in politics. He did his duty as the
head of the party. and in public exhibited
no flinching. But in private he waved away
those who brought him estimates of the
probable vote. and when lie had attended
to the details of his business. shut himself
up with his grief. His heart was not in the
fight; 1t was in the grave of the woman he
bad loved.