Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901) was the twenty-third
President of the United States; the grandson of
President William Henry Harrison; and the
great-grandson of Benjamin Harrison, Sr., a signer
of the Declaration of Independence. He was well
qualified to speak on the subject of real
patriotism as against mere loyalty to political
party.
Let us exalt patriotism and moderate our party contentions.
Let those who would die for the flag on the
field of battle give a better proof of their patriotism and a
higher glory to their country by promoting fraternity and
justice. A party success that is achieved by unfair methods 5
or by practices that partake of revolution is hurtful and
evanescent, even from a party standpoint. We should
hold our different opinions in mutual respect; and, having
submitted them to the arbitrament of the ballot, should
accept an adverse judgment with the same respect that we 10
would have demanded of our opponents if the decision had
been more in our favor.
No other people have a government more worthy of their
respect and love, or a land so magnificent in extent, so
pleasant to look upon, and so full of generous suggestion 15
to enterprise and labor. God has placed upon our head
a diadem, and has laid at our feet power and wealth beyond
definition or calculation. But we must not forget that
we take these gifts upon the condition that justice and
mercy shall hold the reins of power, and that the upward 20
avenues of hope shall be free for all the people.
I do not mistrust the future. Dangers have been in
frequent ambush along our path, but we have uncovered
and vanquished them all. Passion has swept some of our
communities, but only to give us a new demonstration that
the great body of our people are stable, patriotic, and law-abiding. 5
No political party can long pursue advantage
at the expense of public honor, or by rude and indecent
methods, without protest and fatal disaffection in its own
body. The peaceful agencies of commerce are more fully
revealing the necessary unity of all our communities, and 10
the increasing intercourse of our people is promoting mutual
respect. We shall find unalloyed pleasure in the revelation
which our census will make of the swift development of the
great resources of some of the states. Each state will
bring its generous contributions to the great aggregate of 15
the nation's increase. And when the harvests from the
fields, the cattle from the hills, and the ores from the earth,
shall have been weighed, counted, and valued, we will turn
from all to crown with the highest honor the state that has
most promoted education, virtue, justice, and patriotism 20
among its people.
1. When was Benjamin Harrison President? What did
he know about the party defeats he mentions? Was he
ever a defeated candidate?
2. What are the leading political parties of our
country at present? Are they essential to our form
of government? Support your answer by reasons.
3. Explain what Harrison meant by: "A party success
. . . achieved by unfair methods"; "the arbitrament
of the ballot"; "justice and mercy shall hold the
reins of power"; the last sentence.