The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-15
THE KIND OF MAN HARRISON is.

Inc W dSIllstOn lOSt Is authority lot
the following statement:
A prominent politician of this city. who.
though a Democrat, knows ex-President
Harrison intimately, and who shares mis-
confidence 10 an unusual degree. relates
chapter OF the unwritten history OF the
last Republican administration which is
Strikingiy sensational. Equally surprising
is the close secrecy with which II has
been guarded, for until its present pub
lication no intimation of the anair has
ever been given 10 the world.
President Harrison had entered well
upon his four years term He had given
much thought TO the Bcring Sea question.
which was the great bone of content on
,~een Great Britain ana the United
States. The Canaulan pOacners were
Strengthening our seals unfortunately
and threatening, by their rapacity, 10
cause their speedy determination. presi-
dent Harrison, through Secretary Blaine
had protested vigorously 10 the mother
country, but in vain The British govern
ment insisted that Boring Sea was q mare
clausem. and that the seals were not
public property when found three miles
from land.
The correspondence between the two
governments at this time shows that
President Harrison, always an intense and
outspoken American. decided uDon bold
course-d course which he knew would
bring Great Britain 10 terms or cause her
TO face the alternative of war; Harrison
cared little which. SO long as our national
honor was at stake. lie decided TO arr st
all the poachers. imprison their crews
and condemn their vessels. Before doing
this IL was necessary 10 learn how far
Congress would uphold him. Upon the
House he could depend but the Senate
was more uncertain. He could not carry
the country 10 the verge OF war without
knowing that Congress would indorse his
course NJ war should follow. and srch
action as he proposed meant either war
or a British backdown. Through certain
members OF his Cabinet and several of
his confidential friends In the Senate. the
sense of that body was taken. He found
to his regret that nearly all the senator's
from the Atlantic coast and others repre-
senting great commemorative in the
North were violently opposed 10 a con-
flict with England. The interests OF their
constituents they said, were so bound up
with those of the English people I'm n
financial. business. and social way, that
war with that country would not be Sc
riously entertained by them. President
Harrison reluctantly, therefore changed
his plans ana the seal question was refer
red TO the tribunal OF Paris for arbitra-
ton. and. as might have been expected,
the United states received the worst OF
the decision.
We don't suppose the Post would have
published this statement unless its prom
inent politician" had said it. nor unless
the prominent politician had rcputa-
ton for veracity. II is sdir. therefore. to
assume that 1t correctly represents Har-
rison's Intentions: and what sort OF a
man Ia he to have even contemplated such
a course? The question whether the
British had right TO catch seals In Ber-
ing Sea was submitted TO an international
arbitration tribunal. one OF the judges Of
which was justice Of the Supreme Court
OF tho United States. and that tribunal
decided. after the fullest investigation and
argument. the Justice NJ tho supreme
Court Of the United States concurrinR in
thu decision. that the British had lie