The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-02-06
HA RRISON Is our
THE EX-P PRESIDENT WILL NOT BE j
CANDIDATE.
In In. g Letter to the Chairman Of the
Indiana State Republican Com
mittee He Declares That He Can
not Consent to Having His Name
Presented to the Convention-He
Never Desired to Return to the
White House.

e. indianapolis, Feb. Capt. John K.
Gowdy, chairman Of the Republican,
state central committee, called on Gen.
Harrison last evening by invitation
and the ex-president handed him the
following self-explanatory letter: .
Hon. John Gowdy, Indianapolis,
Ind: In view Of the resolutions
passed by the state central commit
tee ut Its last meeting and of the fact
that delegates to the national Repub-
lican convention are soon to be chosen
In this state, have concluded that
some statement from me as to nv
wishes and purposes should now be
made to my Indiana friends. Hither-
to have declined to speak to the
public on this matter, but scores OF
friends to whom have talked and
many scores more to whom I have
written will recognize in this express
sion the substance of what I have
SAID to them. 10 every one who has
proposed to promote my nomination
have said No. There has never
been an hour since left the White
House that have felt wish to re-.
turn to It, My Indiana friends have
been most devoted and faithful, and
I am their grateful debtor. The Re-
publican party has twice in national
convention given me it's endorsement,
and that is enough. think the voters
OF our party are now entitled to have
q new name. For the sentiment, great
or small, that has been manifested for
my nomination am grateful; and for
that wider respect and kindness
breaking party lines-which have been
profoundly appreciative. I cannot con-
sent that my name be presented to or
used in the st. Louis convention, and
must kindly ask my friends to accept
this as a sincere and final express
upon the subject.
Benjamin Harrison.
Indianapolis, Feb. 3, 1885,
1t Means What 1t Says.
When Col. John G. New was seen
relative to the letter Of Gen. Harrison
he said tire letter meant what it said:
1T takes Gen. Harrison he said,
"entirely out of consideration as can,
dtdate before the st. Louis convention.
Gen. Harrison is not accustomed to
fight behind DISCUSSES, and it would be
unjust to Gen. Harrison to suspect
that there is offered any opportunity
of reading between the lines-the let
ter says what he has said to me and
others of his friends for wear. We
had hoped that he might be induced to
change his mind, but he has evidently
made up his mind and his declaration
should be regarded as final
"Da you think Gen. Harrison will
take any hand In the selection of q
candidate?'
r Il do not think he will turn his hand
over to forward the chances Of any
man. The Republicans of the state,
so far as he is concerned, will be per-
fectly free to- exercise their own
! wishes in the matter. He undoubted-
~ has his preferences, but he will not
try to influence the vote Of any dele
| gate
Causes No Surprise.
| Washington, Feb. 4-The announce
ment from Gen. Harrison that he will
not permit his name to go before the
next national Republican convention
contained in the Associated Press dis
patch from indianapolis did not cause
great surprise here. for it had been
openly stated in Washington that the
announcement Of his engagement to
Mrs. Dimmick would be followed by
a statement declining to permit his
name to go before the convention. It
could not be learned by. whose au-
thority this statement had been made
but 1t obtained very free circulation
among public men and others inter-
ested. Gen. Harrison, 1t is under
stood, was the choice Of the Indiana
delegation in congress for new presi-
dental honors at the hands of the Re
publican party and they expected him
to so into the race strong candidate
when the fight began at the meeting
OF the convention. A great deal Of
interest will now be manifested among
the friends Of the various other can
| didates as to where Gen. Harrison's
strength will be thrown. The letter
Of the ex-president is looked upon
here as straightforward one to be
taken seriously and without conditions
Of any sort.