Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 July 1891 — HARRISON’S TRIP WEST. [ARTICLE]

HARRISON’S TRIP WEST.

He T«lk« About Hts Recent Journey and Its Benefits. The New York World prints an interview with President Harrison relative to bis recent journey through the South and West. The President is quoted as follows: ‘*My journey was, of course, an important event in my life. \ As a working lawyer whose face has been, so to speak, held closely to the grindstone of active practice, I have not had the time I would have liked to spend in travel. My visit to the South and the Pacific country, therefore, was a series of daily surprises, and I experienced a keen sense of personal enjoyment and gratification from the beginning to the end,' The mountain regions of the Carolinas, of Tennessee and Georgia, with the new industrial communities which have sprung into existence cannot fail to interest the visitor from other sections of the country. The importance of these manufacturing towns should not be underestimated. They afford a vision of the great South to come—a South of increased industry, prosperity and material 'wealth." Places like Chattanooga and Birmingham will become greater and greater as time passes, and there are those alive to-day who may behold another Pittsburg in either of them. “The reception was a tribute of respect to the presidential office and of hospitality and courtesy toward the individual. I can say, without reservation, that from first to last I was received with kindness by everybody. As I strain my memory and review everything there was nothing that occurred that was unpleasant or annoying during my tour in the portion of the country that is politically' opposed to me. “I remember on Several occasions that small street boys ran out beside the carriage and r.houted ‘How are you, Ben?’ with knowing looks on their eager, childish faces. I refer to this to illustrate how observant I tried to be of all that occurrred, no matter how trifling.

“When I decided to go South I resolved to speak just as freely as I would in Indiana. J did not propose to enter into controversial discussions, but if in the course of remarks made to me in public I saw anything that I thought it was my duty to answer I would do so without hesitation. Permit me to say that the regard for the national emblem, the flag of the common country, which I everywhere beheld, was very agreeable. The men of the South realize to-day as they never did before that we have in the United States a great and powerful Nation, of which they are proud. It is no longer, as formerly. ‘I am a Carolinian,’ ‘I am a Georgian,’ or T am an Alabamian.’ It is, instead, ‘I am a citizen of the United States.’ Not that those who say this regard their native State a whit less, for love of commonwealth remains fixed in Southern minds, as we all know. The changes are a step in the universal progress which we, as Americans, are experiencing, and I was glad and proud to recognize this tendency. “The old-time Southerner generally led an agricultural life in his land, surrounded by deferential followers. He rode about, viewed his possessions. and, being thrown largely upon his otra resources, thought much. His mental vision sought not to cross boundaries of his State. Now the Southern man is inclined to look beyond, and, beholding the grandeur of the collected States, is influenced thereby. All of which augurs well for the future.

“Nearly all the States I have visited appeared extremely prosperous. As I approached nearer and nearer la.Texaa„Lbeo4me, more and mare impressed with the opportunities which are enjoyed and are becoming appreciated by the people. The ag ricultural richness of the upper portion Of the Lone Star State and the commercial future of the regions near the coast were carefully noted.,. With a rapidly increasing population and growing understanding of the possibilities that time will realize L see unlimited prosperity for those within her borders. “I was received with warm hospitality by the Texans, and my trip down through the midland comities to G iveston was attended by a general welcome from all. At Houston I was received by a committee from Galvestou. and was somewhat prepared by them for the flattering demonstrations of my reception. My remarks upon reciprocity and on the deve opment of the trade of Galveston which ought to follow, among other things, proper and much-needed harbor improvements, were the result of my earnest convictions. If words have* any meaning the responsible c tizens of this Southern metropolis understand as well as any others the advantages for themselves and to their State of progress in trade facilities. I uttered some strong words concerning the need of improvement of water-ways for Galveston, which subsequent reflection has intensified. “I held interesting conversations with many prominent citizens, one, for instance, with Governor Hogg, .thorn I found to be a progressive aud an enlightened man. I have wesn the Governor since, and he gave me information wich will, I think, result well for the future of his State. Ills earnestness in repressing lawlessness in certain sections would result favorably to immigration in Toy as. An empire of itself, it has a gr-at hereafter. “‘California, like Texas, was a new oo*.»r try to me. I had previously visited the Northern Pacific slope—the Oregon and Puget Sound districts.

Tbs characteristic exuberance of California hOipitafity poured on me*until I felt there was ns Omit. In the infrequent intervals when not occupied by the attentions of the people I feasted my eyes upon therien fruits, the gorgeous flowers and the peculiar and varied natural attractions the climate develops. I spoke when it was fitting that I should do so, and the sense of pleasure which was engendered at * the commencement of the trip attended me. throughout California and continued until I returned to Washington, “If all men were permitted to derive as ,much personal satisfaction from a tour throughout their oountry as myself, I think the span of human existence would be increased.