The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-10-11
His Carnegie-Hal1 Speech of Four
Years Ago Quoted to Show His
Opinion of the Nebraskan.
CHANGE WOULD WORK HARM
AND HE, THEREFORE,, DESIRES THE
REELECTION OF M'KINLEY.
His Attitude on the Porto Rfcan Ques-
tfon-ReasOns for Not Taking
Part I'm the Campaign.

NEW YORK, Oct. 1o.-General Benjamin
Harrison gave out an interview and state
ment tonight. He was asked:
'Is it true, General, that you have con-
sented to make some speeches in the cam
paign?"
"No. that statement has not been au-
thorized by me-" was his answer. 81 have
said to everyone who has spoken or written
to me on the subject that could not do
any more campaign work. I began to
make Republican speeches the year I be-
gan to vote and have had a laborious, If
unimportant, part in every campaign, State
and national, until 1898. In 1896 1 submitted
myself to very hard usage, and then made
up my mind, and so said to my friends,
that / would do no more campaigning.
Following this conclusion / declined to
take speaking part in the campaign of
1885, My retirement dates from that year.
not from this. Few men have made more
speeches for their party than have, and
no ex-President, I am sure, has made more.
Since I left Washington my retirement
from all participation in party manage
ment has been complete. All that have
left to others, and 1 think they have very
generally and kindly accepted my sense
of the proprieties of the case-at least be-
tween campaigns. In a word, / have va
Gated the choir loft and taken a seat in
the pews-with deep sense of gratitude
to my forbearing fellow-countrymen.'
But General, 1t is said that you are
not altogether in accord with your party
"Well. have heard that my silence was
imputed by some to that cause. Now,
the only public utterance 1 have made
in criticism of the policies of the party
was contained in the interview, consisting
of one rather short sentence, that gave
to the newspapers while the Porto Rico
bill was pending. 1t was, in substance,
that / regarded the bill as a grave de-
parture from right principles. 1 still think
so. 1 do not believe that the legislative
power of Congress in the Territories is
absolute-and do believe that the revenue
clause, relating to duties and imports, ap-
plies to Porto Rico. These views, know,
are not held by many able lawyers. 1t
Is legal question-one that the political
department of the government cannot fully
adjudge. The final and controlling word
upon this question is with the Supreme
Court of the United States. Cases involv-
ing the question are, 1 understand, pend
ing, and a decision, in which we all must
acquiesce, cannot be much deferred.
think, therefore, that voters ought to vote
with view to the right decision of those
questions that are directly and finally in
the control of the President and Congress.
"The general reasons / gave in my Car
negie Hall speech in 1896 why Mr. Bryan
should not be elected still hold good with
me. His election would, think, throw
governmental and business affairs into con.
fusion. We should hot aid the election
of a President who would, admittedly, If he
could, destroy the gold standard and other
things that we value even more, upon the
deceptive suggestion that he has beer
bound, and that the Republican party win
after defeat, still have strength enough tc
save the temple. 1t will be much better
not to allow the man with destructive ten.
dencies so much to lean against its pill
lars. Perhaps it will save you much
trouble If / give you. and underwrite as
of this date, this extract from my Car.
negie Hall speech:
"'When we have President who be-
lieves that 1t is neither his right nor his
duty to see that the mail trains are no,
cbstructed. and that interstate commerce
has its free way, irrespective of State lines
and courts that fear TO use their ancien,
and familiar writs to restrain and punish
law-breakers, free trade and free silver
will be appropriate accomplishments oi
such an administration and cannot add ap.
preciably to the national distress or the ma
tional dishonor.'
1.-THE economic policies of the Republi
can party have been vindicated by the re-
markable and general prosperity that ha:
developed during Mr.. McKinley's admins
tration-succeeding a period Of great de-
preston. A change of administration thi.
fall would almost certainly renew con
ditions from which we have so happily es
capped. The full dinner bucket is not sor
did emblem 1t has spiritual significanc,
for the spiritually minded. 1t means NOR.
comfort for the wife and family, NOR.
schooling and less work for the children
and a margin OF saving for sickness an,
old age.
General Harrison will leave New Yorl
for his home on Friday.
Jones Crying Intimidation.