Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United StatesHarrison, Benjamin
History
Speeches of Benjamin Harrison, Twenty-third President of the United States
Harrison, Benjamin
Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901; Speeches, addresses, etc., American; United States -- Politics and government
When they assert their belief in a protective tariff, by supporting
the only party that advocates that policy, the question of a free
ballot, so far as it is a Southern question, will be settled forever,
for they will have the power to insist that those who believe with
them shall vote, and that their votes shall be counted. [Applause.]
The protective policy, by developing a home supply and limiting
importations, helps us to maintain the balance of trade upon our side
in our dealings with the world. [Cheers.] Under the tariff of 1846
from the year 1850 to 1860 the balance of trade was continuously
against us, aggregating in that period over three hundred millions
of dollars. Under the influence of a protective tariff the balance
of trade has been generally and largely with us, unless disturbed
by special conditions. Instead of sending our gold abroad to pay a
foreign balance we have usually been bringing foreign gold here to
augment our store. [Cheers.] I will not detain you further. These
daily demands upon me make it necessary that I shall speak briefly.
Let me thank most profoundly those gentlemen and ladies from Wisconsin
who have come so far to bring me this tribute of their respect. I very
highly value it. These, my Indiana friends, unite with me in thanking
you for your presence to-day. [Cheers from the Indianians.] To my
nearer friends, my Fountain County friends, let me say I am profoundly
grateful to you for this large and imposing demonstration and for the
interest you are individually taking in this campaign. [Cheers.] I
do not think of it as a personal campaign. It has always seemed to
me to be altogether greater than that, and when I thank you for your
interest and commend your zeal it is an interest in principles and a
zeal for the truth that I approve. [Cheers.]
INDIANAPOLIS, OCTOBER 6.
Saturday, October 6, was one of the great days of the campaign. The
first delegation, numbering 2,000, came from Wells and Blackford
counties, Indiana. Conspicuous in their ranks were two large uniformed
clubs of ladies, one from Montpelier, and the Carrie Harrison Club of
Bluffton. In the Wells County contingent were many 1840 veterans and
21 newly-converted Democrats. Their leaders were Asbury Duglay, D. H.
Swaim, B. W. Bowman, Peter Ulmer, Silas Wisner, Joseph Milholland, J.
C. Hatfield, and T. A. Doan. J. J. Todd was their spokesman. Prominent
in the Blackford delegation were Frank Geisler, H. M. Campbell, W. L.
Ritter, Eli Hamilton, R. V. Ervin, W. A. Williams, John Sipe, and John
Cantwell, of Hartford City; J. C. Summerville, Wm. Pugh, J. H. Morrical,
G. A. Mason, John G. Ward, and J. M. Tinsley, of Montpelier. Hon. B. G.
Shinn delivered the address on behalf of the Blackford people.
General Harrison confined his speech to State questions. He said:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account