The state herald., 1901-04-12
~ CAN GO TO SEE KRUGER"
(Omnha World.Herald.)

|
Mason Of Indianapolis, lawyer and
personal friend Of the late Benjamin
Harrison, for the report OF an interview
which Mr.. Mason had vita the general
only few days before the latter's fatal
illness began.
The remarks made by the ex president
on that occasion Is quoted to the people
OF the United States yesterday by Mr..
| Mason will endure In the minds Of the
people longer than any speech General
Harrison ever made, any srgument he
ever offered any proclamation be eyer
issued. any message he ever dictated, any
state paper he ever signed.
General Harnson's quick response, I
can 60 to see Kruger" will taks its
place along with score of celebrated
American phrases which rank as they
I were uttered and have rung ever since,
such rs "Don't give up the ship" "Mil-
lions for defense. but not one cent for
tribute" "Give me liberty or give me
death,' '"If any man attempts to haul
down the American flag, shoot him on
the spot" "Don't cheer boys, the poor
devils are dying" with malice toward
none and charity for ALL" 1t will endure
like these because it sounded cord Us
passionately American, as nobly human,
rs resolutely bold as any OF these. And
it was courageously democratic. spoken
out OF q confidence and faith aud pride
in popular government that maketh not
ashamed.
1t was patriotic chord, too far lost,
struck again, and the grander because it
had reference to another and strug-
CLING people. 1t was the flaming up OF
the truly American democratic spirit In
sympathy with democracy the world
over.
The words were spoken after refer
euce to General Harrison's recently pub.
lished article on the Boer war and were
in reply to suggestion that If Harrison
went abroad he might not be an accept
able guest at the English court. The pict-
ure OF the English c.urt with its crown.
its purple, Its gold lace, being the flower
growing out of the dunghill where a
monarchical system has thrown the dis.
regarded common rights OF man, did not
bedazzle the great grandson OF tue
signer Of the American Declaration of
Independence and who mad himself in
public service added to the glory Of the
institutions which his worthy ancestor
had assisted in establishing. He had an
alternative which his genuine American
lem was quick in conceiving. More
houored would he be with a reception
by Paul Kruger, wandering, il extremity
compelled 1t. unattended on the veldt,
the modern King Lear among the sover-
eigns and rulers OF the world, than 6with
welcome OF affected graciousness to
the presence OF king. dukes and barons.
That is where the president or the ex.
president OF the greatest republic In tho
world, where the official head of u peo.
pie who in New York horbor raised the
colossal statute Of Liberty Enhghtening
the Wo:ld, would more properly belong
IL TO enter ST. James palace he would
have to sbjuro one jit or title OF his po-
liticnl and civil faith.
Or late years the statesmen responsi.
bio for the conduct OF American AFFAIRS
seem to have guided their actions and
dctermined their policies by reference to
the future contingency Of visiting the
court OF England and by calculations to
be accorded pleasant reception there.
General Harrison, because ho was real
American. was not perplex.d by any up.
prehension as TO what judgm~snt would
be passed on hts opinions or his actions
by those within the shadow of a throne.
He was not In dread OF royal criticism or
dlspl.asure nor was he disposed to upol.
osize, beng n republican, for sympu,hiz,
ing with republics IN peril and presi.
dents in refuge.
IL is not singular. therefore, that re,
Gently there had been u conventional IL
not real coldness tetwecn General
Harrison and an administration that re.
ceived tho Boer envoys on the back
porch OF the White house. Nor IS IL
singular that the supporters Of the ad.
uinisira'iou are compelled to express
admiration Of the clear thought.
the ability. tho wisdom aud the patriot.
ism OF the dead Harrison they should
seek to excuse his condemnation OF
themselios.
And so here on this very day when
Mr.. Msson rcports the interyiow "
which rciersnce has been made Senator
Beysridae blathers thus:
"Tho dominant note Of Geral Haru-
sons character was conservatism. lie
liked TO walk tho paths which the toet Of
bis young manhood had trod. He mat
now views with suspicion aud depart.
urea sith challenge.
General Harrison was conservative
with rcspce, 10 ono noble theme- tho
integrity Of American Institutions lie
wanted 10 conserve. that Is, preserve
them. Ho wanted 10 conserve. liz
wanted 10 conserve the old and gioriou.
Amencan spirl, that rrjoicsd with sin.
cerc rejoicing at tho ouioroppins Of 4.
moefacy aud popular government any
who're IN tho world. uo wantsd to con