He lacked what gave Mr.
Blaine so great a charm, the quality of an agreeable and gracious
manner. He had little tact in dealing with individuals. If
a man travelled three thousand miles across the continent
to say something to President Harrison, he would find himself
broken in upon two minutes after the conversation began with
a lecture in which the views in opposition to his were vigorously,
and, sometimes roughly, set forth. He did this even when
he was of the same way of thinking and meant to grant the
gentleman's request. Blaine would refuse a request in a way
that would seem like doing a favor. Harrison would grant
a request in a way which seemed as if he were denying it.
An eminent Western Senator said to me once what, of course,
was a great exaggeration, that if Harrison were to address
an audience of ten thousand men, he would capture them all.
But if each one of them were presented to him in private,
he would make him his enemy.
However, in spite of all this the country was safe with him.
While his hand was on the helm she would keep the course of
safety, of honor, of glory, of prosperity, of republican liberty.
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