BENJAMIN HARRISONFrom a photograph by L. Alman
BENJAMIN HARRISONFrom a photograph by L. Alman
BENJAMIN HARRISON
From a photograph by L. Alman
180. A General Who Became President.Early in our national history it had happened that the son of a President of the United States had also become President. In 1833 a boy was born in Ohio, the grandson of a President, who was also to gain this high position.His grandfather was William Henry Harrison, who was elected President in the stirring campaign of 1840. His parents named him Benjamin.
Young Harrison, a happy and well-born boy, received his education in the public schools. He entered Miami University at an early age and graduated at eighteen.
Harrison, like so many of our other presidents, studied law. He was very soon admitted to the bar, and in 1854 he went to live in the Hoosier State at Indianapolis.
Enters the army
He answered the call to arms. He was made a lieutenant, but had hardly learned his duties before he was promoted to be captain of a company of one hundred men. Hardly a month passed before an order came making him a colonel of a regiment of a thousand men. He led this regiment until the last days of the war, and the boys were proud of "Colonel Ben."
For personal bravery and for skill in handling his men in one of the battles in Georgia, he was made major general.
Active in politics
After the war Harrison returned to the law. In political campaigns he was much sought after to speak in all parts of the state.
He did not accept office until he was elected United States senator in 1881. Senator Harrison was nominatedfor the presidency in 1888. He set the example of making speeches "on his front porch" to admiring crowds who came from different states.
A picturesque campaign
In this campaign the Democrats pointed to Harrison as a man who wore his "grandfather's hat." The Republicans made this campaign like that of 1840. There was great enthusiasm, big wagons carrying log cabins with raccoons and barrels of hard cider, great balls rolling on, and happy songs. Tippecanoe clubs were formed in all parts of the country. The result was the election of Harrison.
Pensions and the tariff
Under President Harrison a tariff law was passed with a reciprocity agreement. By this arrangement, the United States agreed to reduce its tariff if other nations would reduce theirs. President Harrison had a warm spot in his heart for the old soldiers, and he signed with pleasure a new pension law.
The farmers and the silver men of the West were becoming dissatisfied with the action of Congress. In 1890 their forces elected several new Congressmen, and in the next year formed the People's party. Most of the votes of this party were drawn from the Republican side, hence in the next campaign Harrison was defeated by Cleveland.
The Leading Facts.1.Hayes studied law, and served in the Civil War.2.He was elected to Congress while still in the field.3.He received only one more vote than Tilden for President.4.He was wise and fair in his treatment of the South.5.Garfield was a poor boy who had to work hard for an education.6.He was a war veteran and was elected senator before becoming President.7.His remarkable ability as anorator caused him to be nominated for the presidency.8.His assassination helped to bring civil service reform.9.Arthur when President, worked for a larger navy.10.He supported civil service against the spoils system.11.Cleveland, after being mayor of Buffalo and governor of New York, was elected President twice, though not in succession.12.A severe panic occurred while he was President.13.Harrison studied law, and became a general during the Civil War.14.His election was like that of his grandfather, William Henry Harrison.15.Changes in the tariff and in pension laws took place during his presidency.16.At the following election the farmers and those favoring silver money combined in the Populist party, reducing the Republican vote and causing the election of Cleveland.Study Questions.1.Tell something of Hayes' early life.2.How did he come to be chosen Congressman?3.What was unusual about his election to the presidency?4.How was his election accepted by the country?5.What kind of a President did he make?6.What can you tell of Garfield's youth?7.What positions did he hold before becoming President?8.What brought about his nomination?9.What reform did the nation demand after Garfield's assassination?10.What two things did Arthur work for?11.What positions did Cleveland hold?12.Name two important things that happened while he was President.13.Tell something of Harrison's career and election.14.What was done about the tariff and pensions during his presidency?15.Why was Harrison defeated by Cleveland in the next election?Suggested Readings.Higginson,History of the United States, 330-347; Guerber,Story of the Great Republic, 281-285, 288-293.
The Leading Facts.1.Hayes studied law, and served in the Civil War.2.He was elected to Congress while still in the field.3.He received only one more vote than Tilden for President.4.He was wise and fair in his treatment of the South.5.Garfield was a poor boy who had to work hard for an education.6.He was a war veteran and was elected senator before becoming President.7.His remarkable ability as anorator caused him to be nominated for the presidency.8.His assassination helped to bring civil service reform.9.Arthur when President, worked for a larger navy.10.He supported civil service against the spoils system.11.Cleveland, after being mayor of Buffalo and governor of New York, was elected President twice, though not in succession.12.A severe panic occurred while he was President.13.Harrison studied law, and became a general during the Civil War.14.His election was like that of his grandfather, William Henry Harrison.15.Changes in the tariff and in pension laws took place during his presidency.16.At the following election the farmers and those favoring silver money combined in the Populist party, reducing the Republican vote and causing the election of Cleveland.
Study Questions.1.Tell something of Hayes' early life.2.How did he come to be chosen Congressman?3.What was unusual about his election to the presidency?4.How was his election accepted by the country?5.What kind of a President did he make?6.What can you tell of Garfield's youth?7.What positions did he hold before becoming President?8.What brought about his nomination?9.What reform did the nation demand after Garfield's assassination?10.What two things did Arthur work for?11.What positions did Cleveland hold?12.Name two important things that happened while he was President.13.Tell something of Harrison's career and election.14.What was done about the tariff and pensions during his presidency?15.Why was Harrison defeated by Cleveland in the next election?
Suggested Readings.Higginson,History of the United States, 330-347; Guerber,Story of the Great Republic, 281-285, 288-293.