The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-03-23
President Harrison.

Born in 1888, President Harrison has
reached the full maturity of his power,
and is at the point where strong man
renders his highest service to his time;
the point where strength remains I'M
diminished, and experience steadies
and controls the impulses. He is also,
probably, at the height of his public
career. AT the close Of successful
administration he stands out as the APP
parently inevitable choice of his party
for a second term. Differing from him
on important questions of public policy,
The Christian Union has always been
glad to recognize in our chief magis-
trate man of unstained record, of sin
cere patriotism, of large capacity, and
of excellent equipment for his high
office. 1t is too early to sum up and
characterize President Harrison's adj
ministration, but his record to date
would make him formidable opponent
to any candidate who may be placed in
the field against him. He lacks the in
tangible quality of attraction which
counts for so much in the career of
public men like Mr.. Clay and Mr..
Blaine: he has little power of stirring
enthusiasm. But he commands the
confidence of his friends and the re-
spect of his opponents. He is known
to be upright, outspoken and trust
worthy. 1t is said of him by men of
all parties-and it is a fine tribute to
his character-that he is a president
who never lies. He is often blunt and
lacking in tact, but he never tells a
man who sees him at the White House
or h 4
another. AS candidate for a second
term, several things will count strongly
in his favor. There is every reason to
believe that his administration will be
entirely free from scandals; so far, no
lack of personal rectitude has attached
in any degree to the men whom Mr..
Harrison has called about him, with
perhaps single exception. The de-
partments are said never to have been
more efficiently managed. The public
business is kept steadily in hand. In
deed, so assiduously does Mr.. Harrison
apply himself to the discharge of his
duties that, like Mr.. Cleveland, he is
criticised for lack of the sense of pro-
portion in his work. for doing with his
own hand what might we'll be passed
over to others less heavily burdened
with great responsibilities. This is a
fault, but it is one of those faults from
which society does not greatly suffer.
President Harrison stands clearly and
definitely for consistent public policy
he is the ardent advocate of a high
tariff, of subsidies to American ship
ping, of large pensions, of new navy,
and of federal control of elections. On
some of these points The Christian
Union is as frankly in opposition, but il
thoroughly respects man who nails
his flag to the mast and keeps it flying
seven days in the week. President
Harrison stands for a definite, ag
gressive policy, and in political strug.
giles that is half the battle. The demo
cratic party may proftably study hi,
example at this point. There is goot
reason to hope, moreover, that Mr.
Harrison will go to the polls mex
autumn with every foreign compiled
ton disposed of, not only in the inter
est of the country, but with certain
amount of political capital secured il
the general settlement. A clean recort
of four years, definite and aggressiv,
policy, and a successful settlement o
foreign complications, will make Mr.
Harrison a formidable candidate 70
the presidency. He can be beaten,
at all, only by a candidate as fran
and outspoken as himself.-Christia
Union.