The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-16

creek. won his brigadier generalship.
ELECTED TO STATE OFFICE
I'm October, 1864, while at the front. he
was reelected reporter Of the Supreme
Court. which he had lost by enlisting In the
army. Thereafter he engaged in the prac-
tice OF law in partnership with Albert O..
Porter and William p. Fishback. AT A later
day he formed successive partnerships with
Cyrus c. Hines and with ". II. H. Miller
and John b. Elan.
I'm the campaign OF 1876 il became i'm
possible for the Republican candidate Tor
Governor. Godlove 5. Ortiz. TO continue In
the race. General Harrison. the foremost
lawyer Of the State. at the earnest en-
treaties Of his party. consented TO succeed
Mr.. Orth on the State ticket, notwithstand-
ing he had originally refused TO be a canoi-
date for the nomination. The State was
Frustrated at the time by financial panic
and business distress. notwithstanding MS
great speeches throughout Indiana, General
Harrison was defeated for Governor, but
his canvass had attracted the attention or
party leaders throughout the United States
In 1881 the Legislature. which had been
elected in the memorable campaign in
which James y. Garfield headed the Repub-
lican national ticket and Albert CT. Porter
the Republican state ticket. elected General
Harrison United States senator.
His associates in the Senate soon discev-
cred his vast intellectual abilities. In con-
SultaI1On ana IN committee NUlk ne DcCdlIc
a power of the first magnitude. On the
floor of the Senate, however. he abstained
from any great exercise OF his matchiess
skill as a debater and orator. Yet at the
close of his senatorial career. In March.
1887. the country had recognized in him a
man of extraordinary genius. He had been
a member of the Republican national con-
vention of 1880. giving his support 10 Gar
field, and was also A member OF the conven-
ton of 1884. On June %. 1855. the Republic
an national convention at Chicago nomi-
po+aI him for President on the eighth hall
lot.
shortly afterward this Columbia Club
was organized to aid In securing his cleo
ton. The services of this club IN General
Harrison's behalf required TO him in his
last public address. Dec. 81. 1900. at the ded-
ication Of this club. Concerning these serv-
ices he said: These things abide in my
memory; they are stored where no Vicissi-
tudes of life can disturb them
The great feature of !he campaign Of fSS
was the marvellous talent for e~xtemporan-
eous speech of the party's candidate for the
presidency. Previously his wonderful nat
ural gifts were well known in Indiana;
from this time on they were known TO the
world. The profound thought. concise ut
terance. apt illustration and pungent wit OF
the man soon placed him in the front rank
Of the worlds great orators. Throughout
the campaign he preserved his natural sim
plicity of life and manner. exhibiting the
dignity which flows naturally from high
character, but absolutely free from per-
sonal ostentation.
ELECTED PRESIDENT.
"He was elected President Of the United
States by a large majority Of the electoral
vote. In his inaugural address Of March
4. 1889, occurred the following passage:
We have happily maintained a policy OF
avoiding all interference with European
affairs. We have been only interested
spectators of their contentious in diplo-
macy and in war, ready to use our friendly
offices TO promote peace, but never obtrud-
ing our advice and never attempting UNI
fairly to coin the distresses of other pow
ers into commercial advantage TO our
selves. " . We have not sought TO DOM
mate or to absorb any of our weaker neigh
bOrS, but rather TO aid and encourage them
&c establish free and stable governments
resting upon the consent OF their own peo>
PIE. We have a clear right 10 expect,
therefore, that no European government
will seek to establish colonial dependencies
upon the territory OF these independent
American States. That which a sense os
justice restraints us from seeking they may
he reasonably expected willingly TO fore
GO
flee, President Harrison Immediately man.
ifested I'm the choice of a Cabinet those
traits of personal independence. those pow
ers of resistance TO party pressure. with
which his friends were well acquainted.
Concerning this trait Mr.. Grover Cleveland.
whom General Harrison defeated. and who.
in turn. defeated him for the presidency.
Yesterday expressed himself as follows:
I'm high public office he was guided by
patriotism and devotion 10 duty. often az
the expense of temporary popularity
18th events of President Harrison's adj
ministration need not be here recounted.
He proved himself to be able, wise. far
seeing and courageous. He was equally
alert to extend the congratulations OF this
| country 10 the new Republic OF Brazil, and
&c redress the wrongs of American sailoro
at the hands of Chile. He successfully set
tied the Samoan difficulty. When the Ha-
waiian islands became incapable OF self
government and of resistance to the UNI
questioned purpose OF m 10 seize
them, he gave moral support TO the revo-
lutionary government OF Hawaii. and I'LL
timately favored the treaty or annexation
TO the United States.
Under President Harrison's administra-
ton moderate tariffs, both for revenue ana
protection, were encouraged, and the peo-
pie rose to the enjoyment of great pros
perity. Everywhere il was recognized that
the occupant of the White House was
fearless. wise and incorruptible. No syndi-
Gates had secret influence over him and
no appeal for executive enforcement OF law
and order went unheeded.
"At the expiration OF his presidential
term, in 1893. General Harrison, who had.
in the previous summer. been deprived by
| death Of the beloved wife of his youth, re-
turned to Indianapolis. He engaged at once
in the practice of his profession, for which
no lapse of time could cool his ardor and
no absence from business impair his match
less skill. He set the example TO the world
of good citizenship and solved the question
of what is to become of our ex-Presidents
He fulfilled the best duties OF a citizen,
taking part in local affairs. addressing the
commercial bodies of the city on their in
v~itation, in the public interest. and busying
himself with the gentlest charities for the
children Of the poor and the sick and un-
fortunate Of every class. He resumed his
lifelong habit Of attendance on church
and prayer meeting. and exhibited I'm daily
life the traits Of a Christian. He accepts
invitations to make public addresses here
and elsewhere, and usually discussed some
great, but not always popular, principle.
When invited TO address the Marquette
Club, at Chicago, he warned the committee
that he would speak on an unpopular sub
jet, THE Reform Of Taxation" and so he
did, preaching TO the astonished million
aires OF Chicago the gospel OF the honest
return OF personal property for taxation.
In April, 1896. General Harrison married
Mrs. Mary Lord Dimmick who became his
beloved companion. Frightening the remain
ing years of his life. TIL marriage was
blessed by the birth of a daughter. Eliza
beth, who was her fathers playmate until
his illness.
TOOK AN ACTIVE PART.
I'm the fall OF 1896 General Harrison took
an active part for the last time in a polit-
ical campaign. His memorable speech al
Carnegie Hall. New York. I'm behalf Of the
principle of sound money. and IN advocacy
OF Mr.. McKinley's election was the great.
est intellectual contribution OF the cam
paign, and his series of speeches through.
out the State of Indiana convinced tho
minds and won the hearts Of voters Of the
Middle West.