The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-04
u. S. SANITARY COMMISSION
Text of Letters Written to It's Secre-
tary by Ex-President Harrison.

On July u articles of association of the
United States Sanitary Commission were
filed in this city. Shortly afterward it was
announced that ex-President Harrison had
been chosen president of the organization.
On being notified of his selection, the ex-
President wrote letter declining to serve
and giving his reasons. Only few lines of
this letter were made public by the secre-
tary, and the full text is now given by Gen.
Harrison's request, as follows:
Berkeley Lodge
odd Forge p. o., ~ Y, July 20, 1885,
NJ. ID. Ellis Esq, Indianapolis, Ind:
My Dear Sir-I have received this morn
ing your letter of July 16, and do not quite
understand the character of the Indianapolis
United States Sanitary Commission dated
at Washington, but with the date changed
to Indianapolis; and from the fact that you
nave CHOSEN some officers from other States
than Indiana / conclude that ii is the inten-
ton to establish an Independent sanitary
commission, with Headquarters at Indian
apol1s. Before / left home l had a letter
from DR.. McCook of Philadelphia, forecast
ing the organization of United States COM
mission, and l suppose that purpose has
been accomplished and that the organiza-
ton is now in existence If this is true
do not know why we should start an indie
pendent organization in Indiana. 1t seems
to me that any work undertaken in that di-
rectlon should be in cooperation,
branch of the general society. To multiply
and the cost of administration. L would not,
therefore, without fuller information, be
of your organization, if, indeed, 1 could in
any event do so. l have, however, made it
rule of my life never to take an official
position in any organization to the admins
tratiOn of which / could not give that per-
sonal supervision which the office implied.
Now shall be in the East until some time
in October and 1T will not, therefore, be pos
sible for me to take any part in the work at
indianapolis. ! must, therefore, ask you TO
announce that have found it impossible to
accept the presidency rendered me and to
extend to the board of directors my sincere
thanks for the compliment involved in the
choice.
Mrs Harrison and have both contrib
uted to the Nurses Auxiliary movement of
the Red Cross, and have sent some contri-
and to the Y. NJ. G. A. for the work in the
army. 1 shall always be glad to aid in a
work SO necessary ard one that so strongly
appeals to our patriotism and sympathy.
Very truly yours, BENZ. HARRISON"
Three days later Gen. Harrison sent an
additional letter to the secretary of the COM
mission, which is here given:
Berkeley Lodge.
"Old Forge P. ON. Y, July 20, $685.
IN. D. Ellis, Esq, Indianapolis, Ind:
my Dear Sir-I am already beginning to
receive letters from different parts of the
country inquirng whether am president of
the sanitary commission which you have
organized at Indianapolis. One of these let
tiers from New Albany Ind, incloses a
printed circular in which my name appears
as president / must express my surprise
that you should have got out these papers
and printed my name on them before hear
ing from me as to whether / could accept
the office. | have already written you that
I could not accept. giving my reasons. 1
must insist therefore. that. you make pub
lie that | have not accepted the presidency,
and choose some one else in my place. l
say to you frankly that it has seemed to
me that we have enough organizations now
for the care of our sick and wounded SOL
there SnaQiaI
sons for organizing another creating more
agencies. and the confusion that arises in
making so. many appeals to the patriotic
people of the country Very truly yours,
BENZ. HARRISON"