The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-10
PRESIDENT HARRISON.


"Near Observer" in New York Independent
Benjamin Harrison has now been Presi-
dent for nearly three years. and while it is
administration-which. however. is uni
versally regarded as an able one-it is not
too soon to form an estimate of his personal
character as exhibited in his public action.
There il, perhaps, no position In the world
in which mans character 10 tested as it is
in that of the President of this great Re-
public. The lsDors of the Office are very
severe. the trials and perplexitles unlimited,
the pitfalls countless. and the temptations
many and strong. He is subjected to the
most remorseless criticism; every act he
performs. every request he denies. every
favor he grants. every word he utters. IS
weighed and judged: and he Is held strictly
responsible for the remote consequences of
both his acts and his refusals to act. In
paroxysm of vanity Louis XIV of France
declared that he was the state. The Presi-
dent of the United States Is in O very true
sense the Nation. for the national life for
the time focalizes itself in him, finds ex-
preston in him. and. if he be large enough,
is ennobled by him.
President Harrison Is very fortunate in
his equipment for this high Office. He pos
sesses strong physique. is compaotly
built, has q vigorous appetite. good diges-
ton, full sleeping capacity. an even tenn
per, and the power of long sustained labor.
He loves work. and takes keen delight in
the severest mental effort.
A college graduate. trained lawyer,
successful, and yet acquainted with adj
versity; q soldier. with practical knowl-
ltician OF the better sort; for SIX years o
United states Senator, with q wide &C
quaintance with the ablest men of his day;
careful student of history and of con-
temporaneous political movements; an in
dependent thinker. and q close observer of
men and methods, he came To the presi-
dency IN the prime of life, fully cognizant
of the exalted dignity of the position, and
filled with an mbition to meet worthily all
proper demands that it might make upon
him.
A Christian without b;gotry; q patriot
without sectionalism; n statesman without
narrowness; a politician without bitter
ness; soldier without vanity; q popular
leader without vulgarity, he stands before
the country to-day as a typical American.
honest without cant and tender hea rted
wisnout gush. He appreciates the good,
the true, the beautiful; sympathizes with
THO pOoAs VIC leholunt, ING
and condemns all that is low. mean or evil.
He fought for the liberation of the slave,
takes a deep interest in the welfare of the
freedmen; Is in sympathy with every move
ment in behalf of the laboring classes; has
a large place In his heart for the old sol
diers; rejoices at the uplifting of the In
dians; and, while cherIshing the highest
ideal of national character, he welcomes To
our shores all men from every cline who
with honest purpose come 10 share with us
he hnr of tn he al IN n fra "a
citizenship and the blessings of liberty.
He Is lover of free schools, because they
are a blessing to the poor; of the free press
as a friend of liberty; and of free church
as the hope of humanity. He realizes as
ruliy, perhaps. as any man of his time. the
signal place In human history that Provi-
dence has assured to this young Republic
rejoices In what II has already accom-
pllshed. aud Is eager TO see il fulfill its high
mission.
he Is q man of large natural resources, OF
great self-reliance, of sterling integrity, OF
noticeable independence. and Of unyield-