White House gossip

by Edna M. Colman

Thrilling stories from the Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in one of the most severe of the battles—that at Resaca, Ga., May 14 and 15, 1864—told that “Little Ben” fought like a demon in the hand-to-hand encounter. More stories of gallantry came from New Hope Church, Golgotha Church, and Kenesaw Mountain. But the crowning exploit that sent Harrison’s name ringing over the country as a true son of a race of military chieftains was that of Peach Tree Creek.

The victory of Peach Tree Creek has been accredited to Harrison’s initiative and fearless leadership. Major General Joseph Hooker rode up to him after the battle and exclaimed, “By God, I’ll make you a Brigadier General for this fight.” The General wrote a letter to the Secretary of War asking for Colonel Harrison’s promotion, and the promised commission came as Brevet Brigadier General, signed by Abraham Lincoln, and countersigned by Secretary of War Stanton in acknowledgment of “ability and manifest energy and gallantry in command of brigade.”

At the end of the war, he returned to Indianapolis, resumed his office of Supreme Court Reporter, and devoted his energies to building up his practice.

He took the stump through Indiana in behalf of General Grant in 1868, and repeated this service in the interest of the hero of Appomattox again in 1872.

General Harrison’s activity in the Garfield campaign brought him the offer of a Cabinet portfolio, which he declined, preferring to serve his term as Senator. While in the Senate, he opposed President Cleveland’s policy of pension vetoes.

Although the President sought a renomination and hoped his policies would receive the endorsement of the American public in the fall elections, it was evident that the Republicans would make a determined effort to retrieve their power. While many of the Democratic leaders were disgruntled over President Cleveland’s methods and practices, there was no opposition to him as the standard bearer for the Democratic party for another term, and the convention was devoid of excitement as it renominated him by acclamation, with Allen G. Thurman for Vice President.

For a time, it seemed that James G. Blaine’s political star was again in the ascendancy, but the “Plumed Knight” was in Europe and was not receptive. He had tried and failed so continuously for sixteen years that he was convinced the Presidency was not for him, and refused to permit his name to be used in the Republican Convention, though besought by cables from hosts of admiring friends and supporters. Senator Harrison’s steadily growing popularity prophesied his selection, and he received the nomination on the eighth ballot. It was made unanimous, and Levi P. Morton, of New York, was nominated for Vice President.

The tariff was the vital issue of the hour which drew the leaders of both parties into the arena of debate during the campaign, and upon it were hurled volumes of argument and oratory from platform and stump. Here was where the lucid exposition of the great lawyer made a profound impression through his clear speeches and charm of expression. The campaign was lively; banners, processions, and songs added zest to the rallies and political meetings.

The long score of complaints against President Cleveland due to his independence of party direction had antagonized Tammany Hall. His stand on the tariff robbed him of the strong support of the big manufacturing industries. His wholesale vetoes of pensions had antagonized the soldier vote. These sins, added to the fact that the incoming Governor of New York, David B. Hill, though a Democrat, was not an adherent of the Cleveland policy, contributed to his defeat. With New York’s powerful and decisive vote thrown to the Republican candidate, Benjamin Harrison, President Cleveland was eclipsed.

One of the important assets of Harrison’s administration was the new mistress of the White House, whose cordial friendliness and natural graciousness offset her husband’s formality.