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Background
Appalled by McKinley’s imperialism, ex-President Harrison writes here that he won’t speak on behalf of McKinley's re-election. Although still a Republican, he is mindful of how, when he “spoke out, just a little, on the Porto [sic] Rico matter” he was roundly criticized by the Administration. All Washington, he recalls, “agreed that Ex Presidents ‘should be seen and not heard.’" He insists that he has “no disappointments & God knows no jealousies”: he just has “some difficulties.” It’s better to say, he concluded after the campaign of 1896, that he would not make any more political speeches, and leave it at that. Besides, he closes, “it is not usual for Ex Presidents to make stump speeches.”
Soon after this letter, however, Harrison did give an interview: in it, he argued not so much for McKinley, as against Bryan.
Soon after this letter, however, Harrison did give an interview: in it, he argued not so much for McKinley, as against Bryan.
Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page, octavo, Berkeley Lodge, Old Forge, New York, September 4, 1900. To D.M. Ransdell.
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Private
Sept 4 1900.
Berkeley Lodge,
Old Forge P. O., N. Y.
Dear Ransdell
I have just signed a long letter in answer to yours of Sept [sic] 1st but will not send it - because on reflection I do not think it best. How can I make a "Key note" speech? That is for others. When I spoke out, just a little, on the Porto [sic] Rico matter, all [...] in Washington I think agreed that Ex Presidents "should be seen and not heard." You know I have no disappointments & God knows no jealousies - I am still a Republican but have some difficulties. Is it then not better to say that my conclusion not to make any more political speeches was arrived at after the Campaign of 1896 - as you know it was. It is not usual for Ex Presidents to make stump speeches.
Sincerely yours
BENJ HARRISON
D.M. Ransdell
Sept 4 1900.
Berkeley Lodge,
Old Forge P. O., N. Y.
Dear Ransdell
I have just signed a long letter in answer to yours of Sept [sic] 1st but will not send it - because on reflection I do not think it best. How can I make a "Key note" speech? That is for others. When I spoke out, just a little, on the Porto [sic] Rico matter, all [...] in Washington I think agreed that Ex Presidents "should be seen and not heard." You know I have no disappointments & God knows no jealousies - I am still a Republican but have some difficulties. Is it then not better to say that my conclusion not to make any more political speeches was arrived at after the Campaign of 1896 - as you know it was. It is not usual for Ex Presidents to make stump speeches.
Sincerely yours
BENJ HARRISON
D.M. Ransdell
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