orchard at North Bend, and in pressing through an alder thicket that
grew on its margin I saw sitting in its midst a colored man with the
frightened look of a fugitive in his eye, and attempting to satisfy
his hunger with some walnuts he had gathered. He noticed my approach
with a fierce, startled look, to see whether I was likely to betray
him; I was frightened myself and left him in some trepidation, but I
kept his secret. [Cries of "Good!" "Good!"] I have seen the progress
which has been made in the legislation relating to your race, and the
progress that the race itself has made since that day. When I came to
Indiana to reside the unfriendly black code was in force. My memory
goes back to the time when colored witnesses were first allowed to
appear in court in this State to testify in cases where white men were
parties. Prior to that time, as you know, you had been excluded from
the right to tell in court, under oath, your side of the story in any
legal controversy with white men. [Cries of "I know that!"] The laws
prevented your coming here. In every way you were at a disadvantage,
even in the free States. I have lived to see this unfriendly
legislation removed from our statute-books and the unfriendly section
of our State Constitution repealed. I have lived not only to see that,
but to see the race emancipated and slavery extinct. [Cries of "Amen
to that!"]
Nothing gives me more pleasure among the results of the war than
this. History will give a prominent place in the story of this great
war to the fact that it resulted in making all men free, and gave
to you equal civil rights. The imagination and art of the poet, the
tongue of the orator, the skill of the artist will be brought under
contribution to tell this story of the emancipation of the souls of
men. [Applause and cries of "Amen!"]
Nothing gives me so much gratification as a Republican as to feel
that in all the steps that led to this great result the Republican
party sympathized with you, pioneered for you in legislation, and was
the architect of those great measures of relief which have so much
ameliorated your condition. [Applause.]
I know nowhere in this country of a monument that I behold with so
much interest, that touches my heart so deeply, as that monument at
Washington representing the Proclamation of Emancipation by President
Lincoln, the kneeling black man at the feet of the martyred President,
with the shackles falling from his limbs.
I remember your faithfulness during the time of the war. I remember
your faithful service to the army as we were advancing through an
unknown country. We could always depend upon the faithfulness of the
black man. [Cries of "Right you are!"] He might be mistaken, but he
was never false. Many a time in the darkness of night have those
faithful men crept to our lines and given us information of the
approach of the enemy. I shall never forget a scene that I saw when
Sherman's army marched through a portion of North Carolina, between
Raleigh and Richmond, where our troops had never before been. The
colored people had not seen our flag since the banner of treason had
been set up in its stead. As we were passing through a village the
colored people flocked out to see once more the starry banner of
freedom, the emblem, promise, and security of their emancipation. I
remember an aged woman, over whom nearly a century of slavery must
have passed, pressed forward to see the welcome banner that told her
that her soul would go over into the presence of her God. I remember
her exultation of spirit as she danced in the dusty road before our
moving column, and, like Miriam of old, called upon her soul to
rejoice in the deliverance which God had wrought by the coming of
those who stood for and made secure the Proclamation of Emancipation.
[Applause.]
I rejoice in all that you have accomplished since you have been
free. I recall no scene more pathetic than that which I have often
seen about our camp-fires. An aged man, a fugitive from slavery, had
found freedom in our camp. After a day of hard work, when taps had
sounded and the lights in the tents were out, I have seen him with the
spelling-book that the chaplain had given him, lying prone upon the
ground taxing his old eyes, and pointing with his hardened finger to
the letters of the alphabet, as he endeavored to open to his clouded
brain the avenues of information and light.
I am glad to know that that same desire to increase and enlarge
your information possesses the race to-day. It is the open way for
the race to that perfect emancipation which will remove remaining
prejudices and secure to you in all parts of the land an equal and
just participation in the government of this country. It cannot much
longer be withholden from you.
Again I thank you for your presence here to-night and will be glad
to take by the hand any of you who desire to see me. [Great applause.]
INDIANAPOLIS, JULY 4, 1888.
_The Notification._
The Indiana Republican State Committee, through its chairman, the Hon.
James N. Huston, designated as a committee to receive and escort the
committee on notification from the National Convention the following
gentlemen:
Ex-Gov. Albert G. Porter, Mayor Caleb S. Denny, Col. John C. New, J. N.
Huston, Col. J. H. Bridgland, Hon. Stanton J. Peelle, William Wallace,
M. G. McLain, N. S. Byram, Hon. W. H. Calkins, W. J. Richards, and Hon.
H. M. LaFollette.
At noon on July 4 the notification committee representing the Republican
National Convention arrived under escort at the residence of General
Harrison, No. 674 Delaware Street. The following delegates comprised the
committee:
Judge Morris M. Estee of California, _Chairman_; Alabama, A. H.
Hendricks; Arkansas, Logan H. Roots; California, Paris Kilburn;
Colorado, Henry R. Wolcott; Connecticut, E. S. Henry; Delaware, J.
R. Whitaker; Florida, F. M. Wicker; Georgia, W. W. Brown; Illinois,
Thomas W. Scott; Indiana, J. N. Huston; Iowa, Thomas Updegraff; Kansas,
Henry L. Alden; Kentucky, George Denny; Louisiana, Andrew Hero; Maine,
Samuel H. Allen; Maryland, Wm. M. Marine; Massachusetts, F. L. Burden;
Michigan, Wm. McPherson; Minnesota, R. B. Langdon; Mississippi, T. W.
Stringer; Missouri, A. W. Mullins; Nebraska, R. S. Norval; Nevada, S.
E. Hamilton; New Hampshire, P. C. Cheney; New Jersey, H. H. Potter; New
York, Obed Wheeler; North Carolina, D. C. Pearson; Ohio, Charles Foster;
Oregon, F. P. Mays; Pennsylvania, Frank Reeder; Rhode Island, B. M.
Bosworth; South Carolina, Paris Simpkins; Tennessee, J. C. Dougherty;
Texas, E. H. Terrell; Vermont, Redfield Proctor; Virginia, Harry Libby;
West Virginia, C. B. Smith; Wisconsin, H. C. Payne; Arizona, Geo.
Christ; Dakota, G. W. Hopp; Dist. Columbia, P. H. Carson; Idaho, G. A.
Black; Montana, G. O. Eaton; New Mexico, J. F. Chavez; Utah, J. J. Daly;
Washington, T. H. Minor; Wyoming, C. D. Clark.
Chairman Estee spoke for the committee; his address signed by each
member was also presented to General Harrison, who in a full, clear
voice replied as follows:
_Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Committee_--The official notice
which you have brought of the nomination conferred upon me by the
Republican National Convention recently in session at Chicago
excites emotions of a profound, though of a somewhat conflicting,
character. That after full deliberation and free consultation the
representatives of the Republican party of the United States should
have concluded that the great principles enunciated in the platform
adopted by the convention could be in some measure safely confided
to my care is an honor of which I am deeply sensible and for which
I am very grateful. I do not assume or believe that this choice
implies that the convention found in me any pre-eminent fitness or
exceptional fidelity to the principles of government to which we are
mutually pledged. My satisfaction with the result would be altogether
spoiled if that result had been reached by any unworthy methods or
by a disparagement of the more eminent men who divided with me the
suffrages of the convention. I accept the nomination with so deep a
sense of the dignity of the office and of the gravity of its duties
and the responsibilities as altogether to exclude any feeling of
exultation or pride. The principles of government and the practices
in administration upon which issues are now fortunately so clearly
made are so important in their relations to the national and to
individual prosperity that we may expect an unusual popular interest
in the campaign. Relying wholly upon the considerate judgment of our
fellow-citizens and the gracious favor of God, we will confidently
submit our cause to the arbitrament of a free ballot.
The day you have chosen for this visit suggests no thoughts that are
not in harmony with the occasion. The Republican party has walked in
the light of the Declaration of Independence. It has lifted the shaft
of patriotism upon the foundation laid at Bunker Hill. It has made
the more perfect union secure by making all men free. Washington and
Lincoln, Yorktown and Appomattox, the Declaration of Independence and
the Proclamation of Emancipation are naturally and worthily associated
in our thoughts to-day.
As soon as may be possible I shall by letter communicate to your
chairman a more formal acceptance of the nomination, but it may be
proper for me now to say that I have already examined the platform
with some care, and that its declarations, to some of which your
chairman has alluded, are in harmony with my views. It gives me
pleasure, gentlemen, to receive you in my home and to thank you for
the cordial manner in which you have conveyed your official message.
At the conclusion of these formalities Charles W. Clisbee, one of
the secretaries of the National Convention, presented the nominee an
engrossed official copy of the Republican platform.
July 4, 1888, was a memorable day in the life of General Harrison and
his wife; for aside from the official notification of his nomination,
they were the recipients of congratulations of a unique character from
the Tippecanoe Club of Marion County, a political organization composed
exclusively of veterans who had voted for General William Henry Harrison
in the campaigns of 1836 or 1840.
Nearly all the younger and able-bodied members attended the Chicago
Convention and worked unceasingly for the nomination of General Benjamin
Harrison.
Their average age was seventy-five years, while one member, James
Hubbard of Mapleton, was over one hundred years old.
On the afternoon of the fourth, ninety-one of these veterans commanded
by their marshal, Isaac Taylor, marched to General Harrison's house
through the rain. They had adopted a congratulatory address which was
presented by a committee consisting of Dr. George W. New, Judge J. B.
Julian, and Dr. Lawson Abbett, to which General Harrison feelingly
replied as follows:
_Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Tippecanoe Club of Marion
County_--I am very deeply touched by your visit to-day. The respect
and confidence of such a body of men is a crown. Many of you I
have known since I first came to Indianapolis. I count you my
friends. [Cries of "Yes, sir, we are!"] You have not only shown
your friendliness and respect in the political contests in which my
name has been used, but very many of you in the social and business
relations of life extended to me, when I came a young man among you,
encouragement and help. I know that at the beginning your respect and
confidence was builded upon the respect, and even affection--may I not
say, which you bore to my grandfather. [A voice, "Yes, that is true!"]
May I not, without self-laudation, now say that upon that foundation
you have since created a modest structure of respect for me? [Cries
of "Yes, sir!" "We have!" "That's the talk!"] I came among you with
the heritage I trust, of a good name [cries of "That's so!" "Good
stock!"], such as all of you enjoy. It was the only inheritance that
has been transmitted in our family. [Cries of "It has been!"] I think
you recollect, and, perhaps, it was that as much as aught else that
drew your choice in 1840 to the Whig candidate for the presidency,
that he came out of Virginia to the West with no fortune but the sword
he bore, and unsheathed it here in the defence of our frontier homes.
He transmitted little to his descendants but the respect he had won
from his fellow-citizens. It seems to be the settled habit in our
family to leave nothing else to our children. [Laughter and cries of
"That's enough!"] My friends, I am a thorough believer in the American
test of character [cries of "That's right!"]: the rule must be applied
to a man's own life when his stature is taken He will not build high
who does not build for himself. [Applause and cries of "That's true!"]
I believe also in the American opportunity which puts the starry sky
above every boy's head, and sets his foot upon a ladder which he may
climb until his strength gives out.
I thank you cordially for your greeting, and for this tender of
your help in this campaign. It will add dignity and strength to the
campaign when it is found that the zealous, earnest, and intelligent
co-operation of men of mature years like you is given to it. The
Whig party to which you belonged had but one serious fault--there
were not enough of them after 1840. [Laughter and applause.] We have
since received to our ranks in the new and greater party to which you
now belong accessions from those who were then our opponents, and
we now unite with them in the defence of principles which were dear
to you as Whigs, which were indeed the cherished and distinguishing
principles of the Whig party; and in the olden and better time, of the
Democratic party also. Chief among these were a reverent devotion to
the Constitution and the flag, and a firm faith in the benefits of a
protective tariff. If, in some of the States, under a sudden and mad
impulse some of the old Whigs who stood with you in the campaign of
1840, to which you have referred, wandered from us, may we not send to
them to-day the greetings of these their old associates, and invite
them to come again into the fold?
And now, gentlemen, I thank you again for your visit, and would be
glad if you would remain with us for a little personal intercourse.
INDIANAPOLIS, JULY 7.
Five hundred commercial travellers paid a visit to General Harrison
on July 7; they came from all parts of the country, principally from
Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Louisville. Major James R.
Ross was marshal of their delegation; David E. Coffin presented the
"drummers" to General and Mrs. Harrison.
When all had gathered within or about the residence, Col. Ed. H. Wolfe
of Rushville, Indiana, delivered a congratulatory address on behalf of
the visitors. General Harrison, responding, said:
_Gentlemen of the Commercial Travellers' Association of Indiana
and Visiting Friends_--I most heartily thank you for this cordial
manifestation of your respect. It is to be expected when one has been
named for office by one of the great parties that those who are in
accord with him in his political convictions will show their interest
in the campaign which he represents, but it is particularly gratifying
to me that many of you who differ with me in political opinion,
reserving your own opinions and choice, have come here to-night to
express your gratification, personally, that I have been named by the
Republican party as its candidate for the presidency.
It is a very pleasant thing in politics when this sort of testimony
is possible, and it is very gratifying to me to-night to receive it at
your hands. I do not know why we cannot hold our political differences
with respect for each other's opinions, and with entire respect for
each other personally. Our opinions upon the great questions which
divide parties ought not to be held in such a spirit of bigotry as
will prevent us from extending to a political opponent the concession
of honesty in his opinion and that personal respect to which he may be
entitled. [Applause.]
I very much value this visit from you, for I think I know how to
estimate the commercial travellers of America. I am not going to open
before you to-night any store of flattery. I do not think there is
any market for it here. [Laughter and cries of "That's good!" and
cheers.] You know the value of that commodity perfectly. [Laughter
and continued applause.] I do not mean to suggest at all that you are
dealers in it yourselves [laughter] in your intercourse with your
customers, but I do mean to say that your wide acquaintance with men,
that judgment of character and even of the moods of men which is
essential to the successful prosecution of your business makes you a
very unpromising audience upon which to pass any stale compliments.
My memory goes back to the time when there were no commercial
travellers. When I first came to Indianapolis to reside your
profession was not known. The retail merchant went to the wholesale
house and made his selections there. I appreciate the fact that those
who successfully pursue your calling must, in the nature of things,
be masters of the business in which you are engaged and possess great
adaptability and a high order of intelligence.
I thank you again for this visit; and give you in return my most
sincere respect and regard. [Applause.] I regret that there is not
room enough here for your comfort [a voice: "There will be more room
in the White House!" Another: "We will take your order now and deliver
the goods in November!"], but I shall be glad if any or all of you
will remain for a better acquaintance and less formal intercourse.
[Great applause and rousing cheers for the next President.]
INDIANAPOLIS, JULY 9.
The first of many delegations from other States arrived July 9, from
the city of Benton Harbor, Mich., and included many ladies. The leading
members were F. R. Gilson, Ambrose H. Rowe, Wm. S. Farmer, G. M.
Valentines, W. B. Shanklin, E. M. Elick, A. J. Kidd, C. C. Sweet, O. B.
Hipp, R. M. Jones, W. L. Hogan, James McDonald, Allen Brunson, Frank
Melton, P. W. Hall, Geo. W. Platt, W. L. McClure, J. C. Purrill, E. H.
Kelly, J. A. Crawford, M. J. Vincent, Dr. Boston, M. G. Kennedy, and
Dr. J. Bell. General L. M. Ward was spokesman for the visitors. General
Harrison said:
_My Friends_--This visit is exceptional in some of its features.
Already, in the brief time since my nomination, I have received
various delegations, but this is the first delegation that has
visited me from outside the borders of my own State. Your visit is
also exceptional and very gratifying in that you have brought with
you the ladies of your families to grace the occasion and to honor me
by their presence. I am glad to know that while the result of the
convention at Chicago brought disappointment to you, it has not left
any sores that need the ointment of time for their healing. Your own
favored citizen, distinguished civilian, and brave soldier, General
Alger, was among the first and among the most cordial to extend to me
his congratulations and the assurance of his earnest support in the
campaign. I am sure it cannot be otherwise than that the Republicans
of Michigan will take a deep interest in this campaign; an interest
that altogether oversteps all personal attachments. Your State has
been proudly associated with the past successes of the Republican
party, and your interests are now closely identified with its success
in the pending campaign. I am sure, therefore, that I may accept your
presence here to-night not only as a personal compliment, but as a
pledge that Michigan will be true again to those great principles of
government which are represented by the Republican party. We cherish
the history of our party and are proud of its high achievements; they
stir the enthusiasm of the young and crown those who were early in its
ranks with well-deserved laurels. The success of the Republican party
has always been identified with the glory of the flag and the unity of
the Government. There has been nothing in the history or principles
of our party out of line with revolutionary memories or with the
enlightened statesmanship of the framers of our Constitution. Those
principles are greater than men, lasting as truth, and sure of final
vindication and triumph. Let me thank you again for your visit, and
ask introduction to each of you.
INDIANAPOLIS, JULY 12.
General Harrison received four delegations this day. The first was a
committee of veterans from John A. Logan Post, No. 99, G. A. R., of
North Manchester, Wabash County, who came to invite the General to
attend a soldiers' reunion for Northern Indiana. The committee comprised
Shelby Sexton, Senior Vice-Commander Indiana G. A. R.; John Elwood, Geo.
Lawrence, J. A. Brown, W. E. Thomas, I. D. Springdon, J. C. Hubbard, J.
M. Jennings, E. A. Ebbinghous, L. J. Noftzger, and S. V. Hopkins. Rev.
R. J. Parrott delivered the address of invitation. General Harrison
responded:
_Comrades and Gentlemen_--Your request is one that appeals to me
very strongly, and if it were single I should very promptly accede
to it, but, without being told, you will readily understand that
invitations of a kindred nature are coming to me every day, presented
by individual comrades and committees, but more frequently by written
communications.
I have felt that if I opened a door in this direction it would be
a very wide one, and I would either subject myself to the criticism
of having favored particular localities or particular organizations,
to the neglect of others having equal claims upon me, or that I
should be compelled to give to this pleasant duty--as it would be if
other duties did not crowd me--too much of my time. I am, therefore,
compelled to say to you that it will be impossible for me to accept
your invitation. But in doing this, I want to thank you for the
interest you have shown in my presence with you, and I want especially
to thank you for the spirit of comradeship which brings you here. I am
glad to know--and I have many manifestations of it--that the peculiar
position in which I am placed as a candidate of a political party
does not separate me from the cordial friendship and comradeship of
those who differ with me politically. I should greatly regret it if
it should be so. We held our opinions and fought for them when the
war was on, and we will hold them now in affectionate comradeship and
mutual respect. I thank you for your visit.
The second delegation also came from Wabash County and was under the
leadership of William Hazen, Warren Bigler, James P. Ross, James E.
Still, Robert Weesner, John Rodgers, Job Ridgway, and Joseph Ridgway,
aged 83, of Wabash City. Their spokesman was Mr. Cowgill. General
Harrison, responding, said:
_Mr. Cowgill and my Wabash County Friends_--In 1860 I was first
a candidate before a convention for nomination to a public office.
Possibly some of those who are here to-day were in that convention.
Wabash County presented in the person of my friend, and afterwards
my comrade, Col. Charles Parrish, a candidate for the office which I
also sought, that of Reporter of Decisions of the Supreme Court of the
State of Indiana. We had a friendly yet earnest contest before the
convention, in which I succeeded. A little later in the campaign, as I
was attempting to render to my party the services which my nomination
seemed to imply, I visited your good county and received at your hands
a welcome so demonstrative and cordial that I have always had a warm
place in my heart for your people. I was then almost a boy in years,
and altogether a boy in public life. Since then, in campaigns in which
I have had a personal interest, and in very many more wherein I had
only the general interest that you all had, it has been my pleasure
to visit your county, and I can testify to the earnest, intelligent
and devoted republicanism of Wabash County. You have never faltered
in any of the great struggles in which the party has engaged; and I
believe you have followed your party from a high conviction that the
purposes it set before us involved the best interests of the country
that you love, and to which you owe the duty of citizens. I know how
generously you contributed to the army when your sons were called
to defend it; and I know how, since the war, you have endeavored to
preserve and to conserve those results which you fought for, and
which made us again one people, acknowledging, and I hope loving, one
flag and one Constitution. [Applause.] I want to thank you personally
for this visit, and I wish now, if it is your pleasure, to meet you
individually.
Benton County, Indiana, contributed the third delegation of the day, led
by H. S. Travis, Clark Cook, B. Johnson, Henry Taylor, Frank Knapp, and
Robert L. Cox of Fowler. They were presented by Col. A. D. Streight.
General Harrison said: