The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-12
MORGAN FOR HARRISON.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE IL

ly absorbed i'm the consideration of
public questions, denies himself, TO
some degree at least the pleasure
OF social intercourse, turns with difficulty
and even reluctance from the perplexing
problems that come 20 him day by day
and finds himself at times poorly able TO
conceal his impatience ut the INTERRUPT
tions. many, many times needless, when
are thrust upon him; admit, even, that he
does not turn readily from business 10
greet with social warmth his personal
friends. his political associates. men
whom he admires, men whom he loves
what of it? 1t is a defect, perhaps, pos
sibly weakness IL certainly mars ms
popularity. A distinguished senator salu
10 me the other day that 'if President
Harrison possessed the magnetic suavlty
of certain other public men, he would DE
easily recognized as the greatest man OF
his day" The fact that he does not, does
not in the least detract from his royal
greatness, his true strength, or his mag
nlficent powers as a ruler Social power,
suavity of manner, geniality. facility III
turning from business TO social inter
course. readiness TO say pleasant httie
nothings to every caller, eagerness to inn
press upon public men the conviction that
he is extremely glad 10 see them under
any and all circumstances and always
ready TO serve them, are qualities very de-
sirable TO one who seeks popularity and
who wishes to be recognized by every BODY
as very companionable man, and these.
1T must be confessed, President Harrison
does not possess.
That quality which would entitle him
TO be called "hale fellow we'll met is
certainly not his. No one would think OF
classing him as "one OF the boys" or OF
clapping him on the shoulder and address
ing him in familiar terms. All this may
be true, however, without in the slightest
degree detracting from his inherent worth
or his striking ability.
1t is not true. though, In any sense
that President Harrison is cold man,
that he is unsympathetic, upappreciative
of or Indifferent TO the abilities and claims
OF other men, or that he fails in any degree
10 recognize his own personal obligations
and the obligations of his administration
10 the signal ability of those upon whom
he has thrown grave responsibilities OF
administration. He takes great satisfac-
tion in choosing the ablest men that he
can find for responsible positions, and one
of the things for which history will give
him special credit will be that he has
called TO public station able men, and
that he has entrusted the welghty matters
of government to those abundant!y able
to carry them. He recognizes ability,
takes special pains TO seek for IL; honors.
it leans upon it knows its worth and is
always ready, not perhaps In way at all
times satisfactory TO the men themselves,
but in "A real manner, TO recognize personal
worth and public desert.
F." He has heart as tender as womans 5,
and whenever occasion calls for the eX'
preston of this tenderness IL Is never
found wanting. When the great calamity
came upon the Secretary OF the Navy, he
was one of the first 10 enter the bereaved
circle and one of the last 10 withdraw his
personal help. When Secretary Blaine
hos ka haS m
hut frequent visitor at his house TO ex-
press his sympathy and tender h1s rnrour-
agement, and during Secretary Fosters
illness he again and again visited his bed
side, urging him TO lay aside the cares of
Office and TO seek some place OF rest, recre-
alton and recuperation.
"Only those who do not know Preside t
Harrison can charge him with coldnes Z.
He is not effusive in his demonstrations oil
affection. lie does not gush and bubble
over with a feigned feeling: he does not
even express the real sentiments of his
heart, but he feels them all the same.
Coldness is in the manner and not in the
man.
''But, as have already said. even If he
ircTe cold, as il is sometimes claimed he is,
what Of itg Does it any degree mar his
able administration or interfere with the
proper discharge of his great duties? II; S
that anything to do with protection, with
reciprocity, or with free ballot and n fair
countl Does that hinder him from pilot
ing this great nation through the perils Of
financial crisisl Did il stay his hand when
he composed the message which destroyed
the Louisiana lottery Din IT, interfere
with the utterances that put this country
on TO high vantage ground for centuries
to come, in his Chilean message? Surely.
tire people of the United States have too
much good sense to allow a little petty,
carping criticism as to n mere mannerism
TO influence them in their judgment re-
gardIng the high qualities and excellence
Of character manifested by one of the
ablest men OF his day.
''In any consideration Of the qualiflca-
tions OF President Harrison for his high
position. it should not be overlooked that
while one of his great Cabinet officers has
been stricken with death and his success
or prostrated for months. and other mem
bers of his official family have been for
weeks and months disabled, he, almost
alone, bearing the tremendous burdens
past three years, has not lost a solitary
day. He has been always at his post, ever
ready not only for the discharge of his or
dinary duties but prepared TO meet all the
exceptional emergencies that have con
fronted him.
For the Republican party at this time,
under these circumstances, to reject such a
leader as President Harrison and nomi
nate new and untried man for his place
would be TO invite if not TO deserve de
feat"