Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-14
Tributes to the Ability and Character
of Gen. Harrison.
M0URNED IRRESPECTIVE OF PARTY
"A Great and Good Man," Say.
Senator Allison.
COMMISSIONERS TRIBUTE

Regardless of party divisions and differ
ence in views, there was q universal ex-
preston of sorrow among the prominent
men in the city over the death of ex-
President Harrison, and praise of his rare
character.
"Mr. Harrison said Senator Frye,
president pro tempore of the Senate was
one OF the ablest men I ever knew. He
was a great President, and showed his
greatness throughout his term. If he had
possessed the suavity of President Nc
Kinley or of President Arthur, he would
have been President longer than he was"
Gen. Harrison's death is a national ca
lamity,' remarked Senator Burrows of
Michigan Il regarded him as one Of the
foremost of Americans. 1t is not too much
to say that no man in recent years brought
to the presidency of the United States
greater capacity, broader craftsmanship or
loftier patriotism than Benjamin Harrison.
In public and private life he was a man Of
spotless character, and his example Is
worthy of emulation. His place cannot he
filed"
He was a great and good man." said
Senator Allison. THAT is enough to say
of any man.
Senator McLaurin of South Carolina said:
Il was here during a portion of President
Harrison's administration and had the OPP
portunity Of seeing and knowing him.
considered him one of the ablest men in the
United States. He was most pleasant to
deal with. He may not have been as af-
fable as President Mckinley, but his ;:lan-
ners were agreeable"
Mourned Irrespective of Party.
Representative F'oss Of Illinois said:
10
loss to the nation, and the people of the
whole country, irrespective of party, will
mourn his taking off. He was one of tie
ablest men Of the past century. A brave
soldier, one of the foremost lawyers, an
able and far-seeing statesman, a great
President, an exemplary citizen and a
stainless and clean man. his life and rec
ord will be glorious heritage to posterity
and constant inspiration to those whose
ambition is to serve from high and noble
motives their day and generation as belts
true American citizen"
One of the Greatest Presidents.
Representative Pearre of Maryland said
that he regarded General Harrison as one
of the greatest Presidents within his time
or that our history had disclosed. General
Harrison, he said, had won distinction in
his own profession, which was not always
true of men distinguished in public af-
fairs. The great power of his mind had
been displayed as a lawyer, and in the Sen
ate and as President he had shown the
highest qualities of statesman. His dis
tinction had been won solely through the
strength and quality OF his mind.
President of Greatest Intellect.
I'm my opinion" said Representative Joy
of Missouri, The was the greatest man in
tellectually and in mental requirements
that ever occupied the presidency. Never
but one man did what he did, and that one
not as successfully, in his speaking tours
of the country. He delivered 500 speeches,
three a day, all of them gems and none
duplicate. His great mind dwarfed his
merely social qualities and caused him to
be considered cold"
Best Five-Minute Speaker
Representative-elect Hooker of Mississippi
pi, who served in Congress while General
Harrison was President, said: General
was conservative In thought: somewhat
cold in expression. He was the best five
minute speaker I ever knew, having the
ability to condense thought and power
into few words"
Representative Sperry: "Mr Harrison
made an exemplary and able President and
his influence was always exerted for good"
Col. Ransdelrs Tribute.
Col. Dan. NJ. Ransdell, sergeant-at- arms
of the Senate, was one Of the closest per-.
sonal friends of General Harrison He
was made marshal of the District of CO.
lnmbia during President Harrison's admin
istration. when he was In close touch with
the President and was regarded as his
valuable assistant in executing many i'm
portant transactions. Col. Ransden was
among those who were at the ex-Presi-
dents bedside during his last hours Col
Ransdell is still In Indianapolis, and in re-
Spouse to a telegram today, said:
"A great man has passed away I have
never known more profound thinker or
greater reasoner than Benjamin Harrison
He was richly endowed with a great and
vigorous mind, and by study and research
he was amply prepared to deal with the
1ntricacies Of statecraft when he became
President. Not only was he scholar
and vigorous thinker, but in the power
of giving expression to his thoughts he
was without a peer. To investigate sub
ject was to fully comprehend every phase
OF 1t. He was man of the highest in
tegrity. No man in private or public life
will accuse him of deception or duplicity
He made no promises he did not redeem.
His death comes to me as a great per-
sonal bereavement My acquaintance with
General Harrison began when as young
soldier, found him at the lannon's mouth
He was then as he has always BEEN I'M
fiinching In the discharge of duty AS a
lawyer he stood in the front rank of the
greatest in the world. The historian will
truly say he has left great record as a
citizen, soldier. lawyer and statesmtn and
character without spot or blemish."
Highest Type of Christian Politician.
Rev. DR.. De Witt Talmage said: -
II have been a thorough admirer of Cen,
eral Harrison. He was of the highest type
of Christian politician. He treated politics
as a science and was a moral Christian
man of highest character. He was as i'm
portant to the church as he was to the
state He was the impersonation of every.
thing good In the domain of the church to
which he belonged. His voice was very
important to this church. He was on the
committee having in charge the revision
Of the creed. which Is to report In May,
and his presence at the meeting in May
would have been or great value He was
positive in opinion. His mind was liberal
and his counsel wise. There ia probably
some written statement of his views with
reference to the revision Of the creed, but
If so, this cannot be made public until
after the meeting of the committee in
May"
LOCAL OFFICIALS TRIBUTE.
Sentiments Entertained by the Dis