Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-10-05

James Harlan, one of the most con-
spicuous historical characters in Iowa.
was 70 years old last August. He was
born on a farm in Clark county. ILL.,,
Aug. 26, 1920, and was the son of Silas
Harlan, a native of Pennsylvania, and
Mary Conley. who was born in Mary
land. The family later moved to In
diana, where James, who was the sec
ond son, managed to pick up a little
book learning in the district schools
and by Industrious effort evenings. In
May, 1S41, he started out for himself
and earned his way through Asbury
University, from which he was gradu-
ated with the highest honors in 1S45
He was at once married to Anna Eliza
Peck, of Greencastle, Ind, and came to
Iowa City in 1916 to become principal
of Iowa City College, which afterward
became the State University. In 1S47
he was elected state superintendent of
public instruction, being the first to
hold the Office in Iowa He was re-
elected on the face of the returns the
following year, but was counted out by
the canvassing board in favor of a
nephew of Thomas H. Benton. Mr..
Harlan studied law, was admitted to
the bar and began to practice, when he
was elected president of the Iowa Wes-
lleyan University at Mt. Pleasant. He
had in the meantime declined wing
nomination for state senator and for
lgoyernor, but in 1855 was elected United
States senator as a wing. He was re-
| elected in 1851 and resigned May Is,
| 1865, to become secretary of the inter-
ior in Lincoln's cabinet. Senator Har-
| Ian had long been one of the presidents
| closest and most valued friends. He
served less than two years, resigning
| in 1867 to resume his place In the SEN
ate. to which he had been elected as a
republican in 1866. This was his last
| term in the senate, as he was defeated
| for reelection in 1872 by William b.
Allison. From 1882 to 1855 he was chief
Justice of the court of commissioners of
Alabama claims. He served as q mem
4 Der of the commission that built the
Iowa Soldiers and Sailors monument
and was prominent in the councils of
the Methodist church. He never lost
his interest in politics and was always
iready to lend the influence of his great
4 name to the party which had honored
llhim. In 1898 he was made chairman OF
1.-THE republican state convention and de-
llivered memorable address at that
slcritical time. The party was torn with
Idissention over the liquor question and
/ Senator Harlan was elected to preside
because it was thought that he could
idoemuch to bring the two factions to-
i gether He defined republicanism to
be broader than any single issue of this
character and then boldly inquired:
And if I don't know what republican,
lism is, who does?" 1t produced pro-
4 found effect upon the convention and
4 his challenge was not accepted. In
& 1895 he was led to be a candidate for
i the republican nomination for gov
lernor, but was defeated. His last pub
!, lie appearance was on May II, 1899
v when he presided at the ceremonies of
4 laying the corner stone of the state his
!, torical building.
Z Senator Harlan was leader when he
was in the strength of his career in the
senate and he was power in Wash.
ington, both as a speaker and in the
less conspicuous but more effective
means OF exerting influence. He had 6
part in all the great business of govern
ment during the crucial period when he
was representing his state or serving In
the cabinet at Washington. Possessing
extraordinary ability and capacity fol-
work, he was able to render to his party
and his friends, as we'll as to his coun-
/ try, service that made him a factor al
ways to be considered early in the for
nation of any policy. This fact was
recognized by three presidents, Lin
coin. Johnson and Grant, though SEN
ftor Harlan voted for the Impeachment
of johnson. When Charles Sumner ane
Carl Schurz assailed the policy of Pres
ident Grant on the San Domingo ques.
; ton, Mr.. Harlan was chosen by his as
sociates in the senate to reply. He was
not notified until late at night, while
the debate was going on and he was en-.
crossed with other business. The lead
ers of the republican side in the senat.
told him they expected him to speal
for the president and he did. The speech
of Senator Harlan on that occasion i:
remembered as the event of that con
gress and it has been pronounced 9Th,
greatest forensic triumph since tn,
famous reply of Webster to Hayne il
1892" Throughout his long service IL
public life he was the peer of the great
. est, and unless he leaves an autobio
graphy,as it is understood he has man.
an important historical chapter die
= with him.
! In the years of his retirement Senate
{ Harlan has grown in the affections o
the people of Iowa. He is remembers
I only for the great and good things h
!. has done and the harsh criticisms tina
. brought him down in his contest wit
j Allison in 1872 have been forgotten. H
J. went out of public life at the end of
y bitter fight. growing out of his admins
|. tration OF the Office of secretary of tn
|. interior.
n Senator Harlans wife, who died i
. 1884. was remarkable woman, VIII
n went through the Union army durin
: the civil war and did much to Jesse
= the sufferings of the soldiers. She Dor
J. most unusual pass from Secretar
Q Stanton, allowing her to go where sh
]. pleased through the lines. and it wa
she who induced the war department
9 to send sick soldiers north for treat
4 ment instead of allowing them to al
y in the south for want of care. The
) daughter Is married to Robert T. Lin
Z coin, son of the martyred president.
~ |
q Death OF John A. Buttles.
q Burlington, Oct. 5.-John A. Buttle,
= aged u. father OF ex-Mayor Buttles,
q resident OF Burlington for fifty.thre
= lvaara died veaferdav