The sun., 1901-03-14
BENJAMIN Harrison.

In tho death Of ex-presdent HARRISON
the United states have lost citizen who
not only attained the highest Office in the
gift Of the nation, but will be long remen-
hrrcd for his public services and public
virtues or almost unique distinction In
respect Of descent, he reflected honor on
his ancestors, and he could not have
evnccd n keener and more intelligent
sympathy with the masses OF the people
had hc been a self-mad" man.
Among the Americans who have been
raised to the exalted post Of Chief Magts-
trate some have owed much. and some
next to nothing. to inherited position or
educational advantages. As regards the
factors of success in life. no hard-andfast
rule can be- drawn from the experience Of
our Presidents. WASHINGTON. JErFER-
son, MApIsoS and MONROE were men Of
gentle birth and good estate. and all OF
these. except the first, had profited by what
in their time passed for superior academic
training OF JoHS ADAMS and GARFIELD.
II may be said that while neither owed any
thing to ancestry, both started with such
leverage as may be desirable from an
tNfflVIl fblf' I'll' lll' N'N nv
Magistrates who are least indebted to
the vantage ground which il perhaps con-
ferred by hcrcdity or by the kind Of early
environment usually looked upon as fort
innate wero, of course, ANDREW JACKSON.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN and ANDREW JOHNSON.
4 srli-made man was each Of those in the
most rigorous sense of the word, and two
of them belong in the front rank Of Presi-
dents. whether We look TO achievement or
10 character. while one of them. LINCOLN.
exhibited an extraordinary mastery OF the
spoken and written word. Diametr'caIly
opposed to these - regards the influence
Of birth. tradition and education. were
JouN Ot1NCY ADAMS and BFNJ,MIN HAHEI-
son The former received the best edu-
cation procurahle in his country at the
time, he was more or lees moulded throu gh-
out the plastic period OF youth by what
should be the inspiring knowledge that he
Wa, the son of a great man, and he was
deliberately trained by lis father for high
diplomatic and administrative functions.
To such claims as may be founded on long
and honorable descent BENJAMIN HARRI-
son had even stronger title than had
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
His great grandfather. also named BEN
JAMIN. was an aristocrat Of Iidewater.
Va. and conspicuous figure in the Revoiu-
tionary and making period
His grandfather. WILLIAM HENRY HARRI-
sCN, acquired firm grasp upon the popu-
lar heart by Ills military services, and by
a very large majority 81 tho popular and
Electoral vote was chosen in 1870 President
Of the United States. His father held
highly respected place in tho Judiciary
Of the State Of Ohio
such were the eovating traditions amid
which ex-Presjdcnt HARRISON grew up.
and circumstances also favored a sym
mctrical development, for 10 n college
education was added a prolonged service
under the colors in our CIvil War. wherein
he gave proof Of excellent military abilities
and gained the rank Of Brigaiier- General Of
Volunteers Undertaking the practice Of
the law. he gradually acquired a reputation
for sound learning and forensic skill. and
attained commanding position AZ the bar
uf Indianapolis He dill not, however,
become widely known beyond tho borders
Of his state until he was sent To the United
States senate, and II cannot be said that,
during his single term in that body. he
gave the full measure Of his capacities
Iln was recognized. however, a, a man of
sterling worth broad intellect and cN-
cIuuilIr 'oIlcal .loIis. and coming. rs
40 iiI. from 4 doubtful state. be- obtained
the Republican nomination tor tine Prof.
d"ucv in lN~s. after Mr. HIAINEs with
Ha'
after l!> assumption IS the duties Of chief
Magistrate Mat tho high rior ~ his mind
and 'hc sia.Nart Independence II his char
au,,r were generally aoknowcd
llI, personal asccndauUy was felt alike
lr matters - dpw.st.. administration
auu 10 gg'- toms of iu'"IEu politics. ami II
soon h,,4w" patient lhHt, no matter Nh"
u..lt D." o., SECRETARY uf state. Cen
HAEUIsoN would be ms own chief Minister.
HIS attitude toward chin was ~ r"asonahl"