Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-30
somc Side. Lights on tho Character Of Bcnia-
min Harrison.


masses. that has been characteristic of
many great leaders The general i'm
preston was that he was cold. cal
culating and unresponsive--a man
without strong impulses or emotions
influenced and directed by the head
rather than the heart.
In a recent interview. General Louis
Kitchener of Washington shows how
erroneous was this conception of Cen
eral Harrison-one that came largely
from his calm and self-contained man
ner of meeting men, and from an alb
sence of that humor which serves as
magic charm in bringing men into
sympathetic touch and fellowship with
those about them.
Mr.. Harrison was man of stern
ard serious purpose who applied him
self to the tasks before him with won
derful resolution and tenacity. He
possessed marvellous powers Of CON
cantration, and was very liable in
times of deep absorption. to be more or
less obiivious OF external surroundings.
This led many TO imagine that he was
abrupt almost to the verge of positive
discourtesy in his manner of meeting
men General Kitchener has per
formed a worthy service to the mem
DRY of one of the greatest men our
country has ever produced in showing
how erroneous was this, and many
other popular conceptions of his char
acter. His long and close personal
friendship with Mr.. Harrison admir-
ably fits him for the task.
The impression that Mr.. Harrison
was disposed to dwell upon his dis
tinguis he'd lineage. was a mistake. aC-
cordng to General Kitchener, who.
despite the close and confidential char
acter of their friendship says he never
knew him to talk about his family.
On the contrary the impression con-
veyed by those who came in personal
contact with him was that Mr.. Har
rison always felt himself handicapped
in his early career by his distinguished
ancestry. An incident bearing upon
this phase of his character will be re-
called by many Augusta citizens.
While a United States Senator from
Indiana he came to this city as the
of nd oil, II
political address in old Granite hall.
In introducing him the chairman of
the evening referred TO the glorious
achievement of his grandfather in de
feating the Indians al the battle of
Tippecanoe. The alluson was evident
" not pleasing TO Mr.. Harrison who
| was visibly annoyed by it, and who
| took occasion in his opening remarks
| to say that he was one of those West
ern Republican who, starting in life
with no advantages save good health
| and fair education, had managed to
| hoe their own row ever since. 1t is
| proba Bile that it was an appreciation
of his sensitiveness on this point. as
| well as q desire to disparage him as
much as possible in the public esti-
nation. which led the Democratic
| cartoonists to picture him as lost in
| the depths of his grandfathers hat
the United States, irrespective of party.
came to fully appreciate the fact that
he was by far the ablest Harrison
| Who had ever figured in American pub
lie life.
| Referring to some of his personal
characteristics not generally known OF
understood by the public at large
General Kitchener says:
General Harrison's devotion to chill
dren was always a notable character
istc. He not only loved children. but
he made himself their companion. He
would stop and talk with them on the
street show a marked interest in their
games and amuSements. and join them
in their walks TO and from school
- - Some day the letters and
stories written by General Harrison to
his grandson will be published. it is
to be hoped. and then the world will
know not only his affection for chill
dren. but also of his ability to write in
such a way as to delight and instruct
them. General Harrison
was q tender-hearted man. The pop
ular impression of him is to the con.
trary. but the fact is that he was
kind, generous and responsive. Mer
who love children. horses and dogs as
he did are always tender hearted
More than once have seen tears come
to his eyes because calamity had over
taken an old-time friend. He had
taught himself to hide his emotion
from the world. and evidently believed
' in the right, of q man to have feeling:
and thoughts which he mead not blazor
upon the skies. He was no Susher
His choicest and most generous emo
; tons were for those entitled to them
He did not take the public into his con
hdence concerning his private affair:
or feelings. nor did he assume tina
h..