Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22
by no means a brilliant man. and hence
the campaign on his part was a tame one.

by no means a brilliant man. and hence
the campaign on his part was a tame one.
1t is remembered now principally for the
I fact that there appeared On the stump that
year as the democratic candidate for lieu
| tenant governor young man who subse-
| quently came to great distinction in his
| party. 1t was his first bow to the state
! at large. and both his manner and the
! character of his addresses made a forcible
| impression. He was slender and pale, look
; ing almost like an ascetic but there was
i a full measure of red blood in his argu-
ment. and had he been at the head of
| the democratic ticket. a joint debate be-
! tween him and the republican candidate
! would have stirred the state profoundly.
! That young man was John G. Carlisle.
Four years later the republicans again
| put their standard into Judge Harlans
| hands. This time his opponent was James
B. McCreary, now United States senator,
| then a young man who had served as
| speaker of the lower house of the state
| friends and hence it was not difficult to
arrange series of joint debates. Public
sentiment rather demanded the arrange
ment. and supported it, when made, with
much enthusiasm.
| The meetings were crowded. Old county
court houses where eloquent lawyers and
! politicians had held forth for sixty years
| rang again with cheers for first one and
J then the other of the candidates. Party
| spirit was high, and the democrats at every
| point were in the majority But the recep-
ton of the republican candidate was not
| only respectful but in a way kindly. Here
and there was some old tavern wiseacre,
| who as usual, knew it all, and could not
understand how anybody could differ with
him and be either respectable or honest,
but he did not fashion the sentiment of
his locality on this occasion. The people
wanted to hear both sides; and while the
democrats gave their champion all the APP
plause he needed they gave the other man
the hearing he deserved.
Judge Harlan conquered attention in the
sign of energy, sincerity and real eloquence.
His note was high, argumentative and COM
| ecdote and everyday illustration. and his
party friends were delighted
An Old Farmers Testimonial.
Probably the best testimonial, however,
came from an old farmer-a man of edu-
cation and good feeling-who heard one
of the debates and startled his friends with
an admission. The meeting was over and
the candidates, escorted by their friends,
were walking from the court house across
to the tavern when this man opened his
heart. He stood at his horses side,
foot in stirrup one hand the reins, and
the other using his riding whip on his
jack boots.
I'm sorry 1 came he said.
'Why?' inquired his friends. Did Har-
Ian convert you?"
NO, I'm still democrat. 1 shall die a
democrat. But I'm sorry l came
We'll, why?'
For this reason 1 go about very little,
you know. I'm running my farm and not
the country. OF course | take an interest
in politics, and l read Henry Watterson's
newspaper regularly. l am entirely salts
fed. too, with the way he states side
of the case. In fact, l had about forgotten
there was any other side. But this man
Harlan said some things this afternoon that
sound well and reasonable, and I'm afraid
l shall never again be able to cuss the re-
publcans and their policies with my old
limo fro and And wit hat
fession he mounted and rode off.
1t was no mean triumph in that day to
persuade an old-fashioned Kentucky demo-
crat from farming district to forego
single damn, or abate the fervor of any one
he uttered, in discussing the opposition.
Kentucky Pleased.
While the Kentucky people had denied to
Judge Harlan the political preferment he
had sought, and would have continued to
do So they were greatly pleased, without
regard to party, when the honor of place
on the Supreme bench was bestowed upon
him. Some of the most prominent of the
democratic leaders were glad to testify to
his ability as a lawyer and among the first
to predict that as judge he would achieve
distinction. Like others, they had APP
praised him originally solely with regard
to his gifts orator and his taste for
politics. But his standing at the bar
high, it was plain to all who had OBJ
served him there that the new field was
one in which he was certain to shine.
If the defeat of his political ambition was
bitter one the fact has never appeared
in Judge Harlan'S bearing or in his inter-
est in affairs. His taste for his new duties
developed at once, and he has grown to be
of the strong men of the most power
full judicial tribunal in Christendom. Since
putting the black silk gown he has as
sisted in the trial of many important cases,
and written some opinions which have been
highly praised both for sound law and
breadth of view And after nearly thirty
of Ia tc cfin Of
the bench, still bearing his share of and
taking pleasure in the work, and assured
of the affection and admiration of his as
sociates there and his numerous friends
elsewhere.
His opinions have given him a place among
the great jurists of the country whose words
will be read as long as that court continues.
His dissenting opinions especially have
given additional evidence of his independ-
ence of thought and of his sound powers of
logic. They have convinced all who have
known him that his views upon the great
questions that come before that court have
been the result of his sincere convictions
and deep study.
This is success in it's best and most en-
during form. The political field is one of
greater excitement, and has many allure
ments. But it likewise has many pitfalls
and uncertainties. The heroes of today
may pass tomorrow and be no more known.
The fortune of public favor is as tickle as
any other kind of fortune and when the
bitter cup is presented it is as bitter as
gall. But in this field of the highest Ameri-
can court the members are lifted above ac-
cident or change and put securely upon
their character and behavior. The compe
tent and the faithful man, applying himself
in such atmosphere of safety to his
duties, may hope to perform a service to
the state worthy of long and honorable
remembrance,
In establishing a home in Washington
Judge Harlan has repeated his success in
Kentucky AS a man he has identified him
self with the best life Of the community.
and supported all things of good report
brought forward for the community's ad-
vancement. His friends here in his old
home, are legion. and they rejoice in his
health and strength and length of days.
On this day In particular they Offering
their fluctuations with unusual heartiness
and in the hope that many others are to
follow It.
Mr.. Harlan's golden anniversary is made
peculiarly gratifying to him because Of the
presence here of his children, who have
followed in his footsteps in devoting them
selves to arduous labor in their chosen pro-
fessions They, too, have exhibited the
marked characteristics of the Harlan fam
lily. Rev. Richard D. Harlan has taken a
high rank in the ministry and an edu-
Gator. His work the president of Lake
Forest University was distinctly successful.