The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-04-05
CHAMP QARK'S LETTER
General Harrison, Patriot
and Statesman.
THE GREATEST OF ELS RACE,
Grew Steadily Stronger In the
Public Esteem.
LEARNED AND Of GREAT TALENT

LEARNED AND Of GREAT TALENT.
His Fame Increased With Years and
Experience-General Dias, Presi-
dent of Mexico, Creator of the Re-
public-Senator Marcus A. Hnnna's
Great virtue-Eminent Republicans
Who Have Raised Their Presiden-
tial Lightning Rods-Many Willin
Barkises-Hanna the Logical Cam
didate Are College Presidents
Played QUIT
I Especial Warrington Letter.1
I If the spirits of the mighty dead take
any cognizance Of happenings in this
lower world, General Benjamin Harri-
son must be happy in the universal ex-
preston Of high esteem from the peo-
pie of America, irrespective of party
affiliations. If there is any difference,
Democrats pay him higher tributes
than Republicans. This is remarkable
when we consider the facts that 1t Is
only eight years since he closed his
presidential term, that he was
thoroughgoing partisan and had no
squeamishness whatever about ex-
pressing his opinions and in having
those opinions placed upon the statute
books in the form of laws so far as in
him lay. 1t is generally taken and ac-
cepted that one of his ancestors was
one Of the regicide judges who sent
Charles to the block. Whether that
be true, General Harrison, though of
Virginia extraction, was of the stern
Puritan spirit of the old Cromwellians
and had he lived in the days Of the
civil wars in England would have
fought as valiantly under mighty Oil
yer as he did from 1861 to 1865 under
"Old Pap" Thomas.
There can be no doubt that had he
been one Of the judges Of Charles
scientiously voted for his decapitation
and would have always stood ready to
give reason for his action. His great
grandfather, congressman and govern
or Of Virginia, bluff Ben" as he was
popularity called, was one of the lead
ing patriots Of the Revolutionary pc
Rod and was the bosom friend Of
Washington, Jefferson and all that glo-
rious band Of heroes and sages who
rendered the name of Virginia immor-
tai. Bluff Ben" was of the stuff out
of which martyrs are made. While the
members of the glorious Continental
congress of 1876 were signing the great
Declaration he slyly punched little Ell
bridge Gerry in the ribs and playfully
remarked. when the day for hanging
comes, will have one vast advantage
over you my greater weight will
cause me to die the quicker" a grim
Joke surely. but illustrative of the spir-
it of the men who made us free.
General BENJAMIN Harrison.
General William Henry Harrison, son
Of "Bluff Ben" rendered his country
! valuable services in congress and in
the field and received the highest hon
ors Of the republic. He has not re-
ceived from historians his due need of
praise because the campaign which
landed him in the White House was
the most ludicrous in American annals
and had tendency to render ridicu-
lous all the prominent actors therein.
John Scott Harrison, son of William
Henry and father Of ex-President Ben.
jamin. served single term in the ma.
tional house of representatives and is
dim, uncertain figure in history.
{ 1t is simple truth to say that General
Benjamin Harrison. who has just died
Is the greatest of his illustrious race
and justifies the doctrine of heredity.
Ridicule is the most powerful weap.
on in the mental armory Of man. and
that General Harrison not only sur.
vived the ridicule Of being ''the grand
son of his grandfather" and ''the
grandfather hat" literature and car
toons-not only survived it, but con
stantly grew stronger in public esteem
is proof positive that he was "a man
for a. that"
In every situation in which he was
placed he became greater figure. He
grew while candidate for the presi.
dency in 1888. His 90 speeches. de.
livered in that campaign, are splen
did monument to his memory and
amply attest his varied learning and
{ great talents. he grew while in the
White House-a feat accomplished by
few who have reached the chief mag
istracy of the republic. His defeat
in 1892 was attributable chiefly to the
Mckinley tariff bill and to the Home
stead riots. His reputation for cold
Z ness and austerity of manner also had
something to do with the result.
He grew continuously while an ex
president I'D to the hour OF his dealt