St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-29
MURDER MOST FOUL.

The darkest crime that has stained
the pages of American history since
President Garfield was slain by Charles
j. Guiteau was perpetrated in Chicago
last evening.
Mayor Carter Henry Harrison was
mittance to his house, and died twenty
minutes afterwards. The miscreant
fled, but was apprehended soon after
wards, and proved to be an insane fell
low who claimed that he had been
promised an office which had been I'M
fairly withheld from him by the mayor.
Mr.. Harrison was phenomenal man
phenomenal in the versatility of his
genius, in the popularity of his political
career, in his personal magnetism, IN
his boundless success. He had the
power to win men to him by adroitest
flattery, to mould them to his purposes
by catering TO their self-interest, to
transform his enemies into his warmest
friends by chaStiSement. He was vain
of his own accomplishments, and did
not hesitate at self-praise. But he was
never offensive in his self-adulation,
for it was always adroitly worded SO as
to tlatter him who heard it no less than
to speak his own praise. His wonderful
knowledge of the trallties of men gave
him power over them-power to conf
mand or persuade. He never stopped
to entreaty; his was too proud a nature
for that.
Maligned by his political adversaries
for many long years, denounced as
demagogue and time-server, charged
with malfeasance, of which he was as
innocent as the babe newly born, Mr..
Harrison never flinched or sought re-
treat. He gave a Roland for an Oliver.
lie welded free lance in every polIti-
cal battle, for he owed nothing to the
party machine. Sometimes he was able
to wiring reluctant support from con-
ventions and politicians. but as rule
he had to depend upon his own re-
sources. He boosted his independence
of ring dictatiou, and thus secured the
support of opponents of the rings; yet
when in Office he welded the powers
conferred upon him so as to make all
rings subServient to his own purposes.
Yet he was ever regardful of the cause
of the poor, and, though himself rich,
hurled philippics upon the heads of the
capitalists. He conducted no under
handed plots; his fighting was conduct
ed in the open field. He asked only a
fair fight and no favor.
As politician. Carter Harrison was
crafty, yet straightforward. He never
forgot to reward a friend, or failed to
punish an enemy. His fidelity to his
friends was one Of the chief elements of
his strength. As citizen he was above
reproach. Ills private life was blame
less. He loved public adulation, and
sought office for its honors rather than
its emolumeuts. 1t was his proudest
boast that he made the best mayor Chi
cago ever had, and his bitterest enc
mics could not gainsay the vaunt. For
under his administration vice was re-
strained within prescribed limits and
kept under constant surveillance, the
public streets were kept clean. and each
city official held to rigid accountable
ity. His personal honesty was unas-
sailable, and he demanded equal recti-
tude on the part of all others entrusted
with the performance of public duties.
Death has put an untlmely end to the
career of this remarkable man. Per-
hapS the deep damnation of his taking
off will quiet the voice of caluEny that
has so persistently assaulted him, and his
sterling qualities of mind and heart
will receive that recognition that is
their need. He is no longer anYbody's
antagonist; he stands in the way of no
ones ambitions. His few weaknesses
were not the Outgrowth of viniousness,
but of an honorable egotism-the con-
seriousness of having well performed
his duty to his fellow citizens.
And in this hour of general sorrow-a
grief that overleaps sectional boundaries
and surpasses partisan ties-there will
be universal sympathy for the woman
who was shortly to become Mr.. Harrl-
sons bride. Widowed without having
been a wife, her grief is sacred. If SYM
pathy could assuage it she would feel no
pang. The tragedy that has rent b er
heart asunder has wounded US all.