The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-22
HE MADE HARRISON CRY.
Mr.. ClarkSon Plainly Told she Pres'-
dent of His Faults
Csbi~a ~ Times Herald.

Il
One OF the most famous interviews that
ever took place IN the White house was
that between President Harrison anu
James 5. Garrison In the month OF May,
IS2. Probably that was the nrst ana last
occasion in which president OF tne
United States actually shed tears wniie
engaged In conversation with one or MS
roiitIcal friends Harrison and Garrison
had been pretty near one another some
time previously Senator Allison nan de-
clined 10 be Harrison's secretary or the
treasury-a decision for which ne ever
afterward thanked his lucky stars-ana
had In a quiet way endeavored TO lift his
friend Clarkson into the cabinet me
latter was not offered cabinet post. but
did go into the postoffice department as
first assistant, political manager ana OF
fetal headsman. For a time there exist
ed between this subordinate official ana
the president an intimacy greater than
that between Mr.. Harrison and any mem
Der of his cabinet. The Harrisons ana
the Clarksons were fast friends. Few
days passed in which either Mr.. or Mrs.
Clarkson, the latter being a wonderfully
attractive woman. sympathetic ana at
the same time clear-headed-''m magnetic
some people called her-was not at the
White house
Harrison with all his vanity and self
contanment, with all his reliance upon
himself and almost total independence of
advice or suggestion. did have an uncon-
scious yearuing for the companionship OF
man OF fine sensibilities and sympa-
thetic nature, man who could tickle his
vanity so skiflfully as not to be seen TO
do So and all this he found in Clarkson.
The Harrisons and Clarksons drove to-
together and dned together. and there
were cabinet officers who felt jealous of
the entree which the first assistant post
master general and his wife enjoyed in
the presidential household. AS for the
wives of cabinet officers. some OF these
were at times besides themselves with
envy and pique
All this was too pleasant to last Some
one Interested from social or political
considerations. put the poison OF suspicion
into the mind OF Benjamin Harrison. The
tiniest drop was sufficient 20 do the dead
lest sort OF work. 1t grew and grew, and
had the desired effect. Harrison as pres
ident was above all things a suspicious
man. Half of his time was spent in an
effort to detect or TO reason out the bad
faith of the men about him. He suffered
constantly, as narrow natures are likely
to suffer. the pangs OF suspicion for those
nearest him. Until this poison entered
Harrison's mind. Clarkson was sure OF
place in the cabinet when n vacancy oc-
CURED once a member of the council.
his genius for administrative work and
for politics would have brought him read
lily to the front. But Harrison made the
great mistake of taking Steve Elkins in
10 the cabinet instead OF Clarkson. There
were other things, too. An arrangement
grew up. more tacit and concealed than
expressed. But 1t was there.
when 1892 came on and Harrison was
eager for denomination he bethought him.
self OF ClarksOn and of many others who
had been rather coldiy cut in the less
anxious hours. II Harrison had set out
for the iowa man In ftrna "a would haxva
won him back. Clarksons judgment was
that the president should be renominated.
He had a natural desire TO join the win
ming faction. But Harrison was too late
with his overtures. and when the two men
met Clarkson had already committed HIM
self 20 the Blaine movement The inter-
view began with questions on the part OF
Tire president. asking why his caller could
net be friendly In the convention cam
paign. At this moment II looked even to
the self-confident Harrison. as IL his ene-
mics Were going % be too strong for him.
ana as II Blaine or another was TO carry
off the prize Nothing softens some men
Alike their own adversities, and on this
occasion Harrison's heart was full OF his
troubles. His ambition was painting. his
pride was touched
Clarkson perceived these things and ne
made a speech. He talked 10 Harrison as
perhaps a president was never talked 70
spoke Of the former friendship. OF the
confidence which had existed between
them, OF Garrison love for his chief
OF the day IN which he would have been
willing 10 follow him 20 the ends OF the
earth. and OF how all this had been
changed by the great mans own actions.
by his tngrst iiude, by his coldness. by
his lack OK appreciation. Clarkson Is a
genius tn a way. IL he could speak from
the platform he speaks 70 his friends
he would make q great reputation as an
orator. He has soft and fetching senti-
ment. along with HIS logic and eloQuence
lie has marvellous way of leading a
man away from cold and sordld things
and making him think like a woman.
II was tn that way that he caught Har-
Tison on this occasion. AS Ciarkson went
on with his ode 10 friendship and loyalty
with his song OF the days OF a wrecked
love. poor Harrison lost control Of HIM
self He seized his visitors hand his
| lip tremblcd. eye met eye and when
ClarRson paused ana looked at the presl-
dent OF the United States tears were chas-
Ing one another down the cheeks % BEN
1amin Harrison.