The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-03

son, with ell his political ability. has any
popular political strength in the doubtful
states that would warrant the expectation
of his nomination by the Republicans in
1896. His state, Indiana, is Demo-
cratic; he can not hope for any sup
port from the Republicans of the
middle West, where We lost Wisconsin
and Illinois and came dangerously near
losing Ohio. There may, Of course. Do
many changes and realignments in poll
tics and parties before the next presi-
dental election, but there is nothing less
likely to take place than the selection Of
Benjamin Harrison for the Republican
presidential candidate. This forecast is
no impeachment of the superior public
ability and private worth of President
Harrison; it is only saying that, like John
Quincy Adams and Martin Van Buren,.
President Harrison is an able and accom-
plished statesman who lacks that kind of
striking personality which made Clay and
Blaine men of vast popularity with their
party, whether victor or vanquished.
1t seems certain, therefore, that Presi-
dent Harrison's political career is ended
and his public record made up as COM
pletely as was that OF President Hayes
when he left the White House. President
Harrison can better afford to leave public
life than to try to stay in it: he has made
q very honorable mark in the history of
our country; he has outdone the expects
tons Of his warmesr friends, who origi-
nally urged him for the nomination in
1883; he was known then as q gallant.
patriotic soldier, as very able and
successful lawyer; 40 an energetic, saga
cious and indomitable partisan leader; az
. man of blamelsss public and private
morality. He has emphatically sus-
tanned this reputation and has adj
ded % Il proved capacity for
arm, vigorous and wise craftsmanship.
Mr.. Harrison has grown good deal while
in office: he is broader and stronger man
than he was four years ago, and he will
carry into his retirement the respect of all
intelligent, cahdid men in both parties,
which he has fairly won by the purity,
wisdom and patriotism of his conduct.
President Harrison's handling of tho
Chilean controversy and of the proposition
for the anne xation of the Haw allan islands
was marked by undue haste and rather
undignified diplomacy for q great power
dealing with small one. but with this ex-
ception his official record 10 FREQ from
weakness or indiscretion.
Ofpatriotic spirit Mr.. Harrison has
good deal of the sort that recently
prompted him to say:
am glad that the Confederate soldier, con.
Tossing that defeat which has brought him
blessings that would have been impossible
otherwise, has been taken again into full par.
tcipatiou In the administration OF the govern.
ment-that no penalties. limitations. or other
infections rest upon him. have taken and
can take the hand OF brave Confederate soldier
with confidence and respect
In this spirit of patriotism President
Harrison selected Judge Jackson for the
United States supreme bench and selected
other distinguished Democratic lawyers
for appointment to the Federal bench,
particularly William L. Putnam. of the
Maine bar. now circuit judge in the First
circuit, and George NJ. Dallas. of Psnnsyl-
vania. now circuit Judge in the Third cir
cult. In this kind of statesmanship Mr..
Harrison 10 q larger man than he was
when inauRurated,