The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-08
CONTRIBUTION TO HISTORY
INs POLITICAL AND PER-
sONAL "REMINISCENCES.
R4Jations Of General Harrison and
fJames G.. Blaine shown to Have
Been Cordial.

hltl and the late Gen. Benjamin Harrison,
wich is forcibly illustrated by a letter
" stten to Senator Charles W. Fairbanks
al Cen. John W. Foster. last May. 1t is
a iFaluable contribution to history which
e~utphasized Mr.. ~Studebakers keen interest
inf the Harrison monument fund. A few
DIS & Senator Fairbanks received a let
from a relative OF the late Mr.. Stude-
In which the latter said:
THE purpose Of this note is 70 inform you
tIet when left for washington last Sun
&c week Mr.. Studebaker charged me to de-
e to you a message of his hope that the
Hsrrison monument fund would continue
become a grand success and that you
wsre at liberty to use the letter or any part
that he sent to you regarding Gen.
Htrrison, his love for and association with
hsa"
D MR. STUDEKAKER'S LETTER
.he letter, because Of its historical inter-
is given entire:
4 owe you an apology for not sooner re-
ps ing to your favor Of April IS. a portion
os the time 1 have been unable to attend to
b { iness on account Of iii health. and when
WI enough have been very busy making
= engagements to sail with Mrs. Studebaker
% Europe on the I'd instant
SYOu say you have no doubt that l fully
a Sree with you in the opinion that the
OF General Harrison should erect a
sttable monument, and that it should be
dfe without delay. You are right in this
D 3ticular. 1 heartily agree with you in
MS matter, and L hereby offer my sub
sfiption in the amount that you have each
sfscribed. $1,OO0. 1 will arrange for the
D2yment Of the same on my return from
Ekrope in the fail. Should anything hap
in the meantime, my sons will take
= of the subscription for me-
There are, Of course, many persons who
fw General Harrison more. intimately
-ltn I did. But 1 doubt If any had greater
u 9ect or admiration for him than l have
bays entertained. In this connection, if
yea will indulge me in a little retrospect
e. .fcernlng our friend who has passed
LAY. it will at least afford me pleasure,
A + may prove of some interest to you.
ny acquaintance with General Harrison
{ 1tes from the period when he first began
tjtake active political interest in the State.
30 not recall the year. but he came TO
Slth Bend during a state campaign. under
4 arrangement to make afternoon and
klAllE dDuIESStS- Il NdS Alelf dS now,
busily occupied in business, and ex-
o4ted 10 hear him in tie evening only. I,
ltwever. thought 1 would call i'm the after
lkon long enough to listen 10 his opening
-fnarks. The result was that 1 became so
eorbed IN his address that I did not leave
! IN il was over, and L. OF course, was glad
Il embrace the opportunity to hear him
tain in the evening. Even at that early
a. his talent was marked. The people
very much impressed with his
ykeches. His candor and earnestness won
n Fir confidence. and his argument and elo-
I fence convinced and delighted every hear
j Afterwards 1 was brought into relation
Ntth him in the adjustment OF a will case
& which he was professionally engaged.
a9ording me still further opportunity 10
II low the man and take the measure Of
- character and ability.
AT NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.
kLater, in 1880, in the national convention
Chicago. I met him again. This was the
ofcasion OF the great contest between Grant
Blaine. General Harrison was chair
f. OF our state delegation. He was with
game. while my ~sympathies and efforts
Gre for General Grant. At this time 1 had
kHAMNAAa AAAtLA WIN 0NANAaA Il0AlArWAAs
z was anxious that 1 should join the state
allegation favorable 10 Mr.. Blaine. Al one
4 our private conferences he urged me to
On their forces. and frankly said that he
g leved IL Mr.. Blaine were to receive the
n. mination. it would. in his opinion. en-
aSle him 10 secure the vice presidency. 1
kpressed my regret at being compelled TO
ssume an attitude that seemed TO be un-
tndful of his personal interests. but said
u L thought it would be a great mistake
I him 10 become Vice President; that
& Uingness on his part to wait a little
1sould result in the people calling him TO
'::mething better-the presidency itself.
sAgain in ISIS l was a delegate at large
: the national convention when General
srrison received the nomination for
3 presidency. I have always been
-.ankful that I was afforded opportunity
A this time 10 join with others in securing
& this distinguished Indianian the nomi-
alton that resulted in making him the
kief executive OF the Nation. Judge
fesham. as you remember. had a follow
f. at the convention that, for a time,
.semed 10 endanger the success Of our
sndidate. but subsequent events fully jus
bed. as l believe. the wisdom Of our
soice. and the State and the Nation were
{ diners thereby.
r. next met General Harrison shortly
Ter his nomination. He ~telegraphed. ask
J. me 10 come and see him. desiring my
fvicc and assistance with reference to his
ampaign. Every interview which I had
rsith him strengthened my first impress
d. concerning this man. He has been &C
Used Of GOODNESS and selfshness. though I
foubt II any. at this time, place such a
'9perfcial estimate upon him. The currents
: his nature ran too deep Cor enusiveness
I loud professions. But he never lacked in
t@nerous feelings, consideration or real ap-
3eciadon, for his energies were unfag-
sng. his ideas lofty and statesmanlike.
IN glad 20 admit that I felt deeply hon
ed by his confidence and desire for such
81 as 1 could render him. He knew that
no selfish ambitions TO subserve. and
IL. indeed. my business would not admit
! my aspiring 10 political position. The
fea OF reward in any sense was furthest
bonn my thoughts. and no one was more
1 me a notice OF my appointment as one
! the members or the Pan-American con-
sess. I shall always feel very grateful to
2neral Harrison for this mark OF his par
Atty. The appointment was. perhaps the
~ one I'm his gift that ] could accept
3thout dstriment to my business. Wheth-