A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents | Page 3

Kentucky, and this organization was
kept unchanged until the close of the war. Colonel Harrison had the
right of the brigade, and his command was occupied at first in guarding
railroads and hunting guerrillas, his energies being largely spent in
drilling his men. When General Rosecrans set out for Chattanooga
General Ward was sent on duty to Nashville, and on January 2, 1864,
his command was called to the front. Later this brigade became the
First Brigade of the Third Division of the Twentieth Army Corps,
under General Hooker, General Ward resuming its command. The
campaign under General Sherman, upon which his regiment with its
associate forces entered, was directed, as is now known, against the
Confederate army of General Joseph E. Johnston, and not against any
particular place. In the Federal advance one of the severest actions was

fought at Resaca, Ga., May 14 and 15, 1864, and the Seventieth Indiana
led the assault. His regiment participated in the fights at New Hope
Church and at Golgotha Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and Peach Tree
Creek. When Atlanta was taken by Sherman, September 2, 1864,
Colonel Harrison received his first furlough to visit home, being
assigned to special duty in a canvass of the State to recruit for the
forces in the field. Returning to Chattanooga and then to Nashville, he
was placed in command of a provisional brigade held in reserve at the
battle at the latter place (December 15 and 16, 1864), and was but little
engaged. When the fight was over he was sent in pursuit of the
Confederate general Hood. Recalled from that pursuit, was next
ordered to report to General Sherman at Savannah. While passing
through New York he succumbed to an attack of scarlet fever, but in a
few weeks was able to proceed on his way. Joining Sherman at
Goldsboro, N.C., resumed command of his old brigade, and at the close
of the war went with it to Washington to take part in the grand review
of the armies. Was duly mustered out of the service June 8, 1865, not,
however, until he had received a commission as brevet
brigadier-general, dated January 23, 1865. Returning to Indianapolis
after the war, resumed his office of reporter of the supreme court, but in
1867 declined a renomination, preferring to devote himself exclusively
to the practice of law. Became a member of the firm of Porter, Harrison
& Fishback, and, after subsequent changes, of that of Harrison, Miller
& Elam. Took part in 1868 and 1872 in the Presidential campaigns in
support of General Grant, traveling over Indiana and speaking to large
audiences. In 1876 at first declined a nomination for governor on the
Republican ticket, consenting to run only after the regular nominee had
withdrawn. In this contest he received almost 2,000 more votes than his
associates, but was defeated. Was a member of the Mississippi River
Commission in 1879. In 1880, as chairman of the Indiana delegation in
the Republican national convention, he cast nearly the entire vote of the
State for James A. Garfield for President. President Garfield offered
him a place in his Cabinet, but he declined it, preferring the United
States Senatorship from Indiana, to which he had just been chosen, and
which he held from 1881 to 1887. In the Senate he advocated the tariff
views of his party, opposed President Cleveland's vetoes of pension
bills, urged the reconstruction and upbuilding of the Navy, and labored

and voted for civil-service reform. Was a delegate at large to the
Republican national convention in 1884, and in 1888 at Chicago was
nominated for the Presidency on the eighth ballot. The nomination was
made unanimous, and in November he was elected, receiving 233
electoral votes to 168 for Grover Cleveland. Was inaugurated March 4,
1889. Was again nominated for the Presidency at the national
Republican convention which met at Minneapolis in 1892, but was
defeated at the November election, receiving 145 electoral votes,
against 276 votes for Grover Cleveland. Upon his retiring from office
located at Indianapolis, Ind., where he now resides.
* * * * *

INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
FELLOW CITIZENS: There is no constitutional or legal requirement
that the President shall take the oath of office in the presence of the
people, but there is so manifest an appropriateness in the public
induction to office of the chief executive officer of the nation that from
the beginning of the Government the people, to whose service the
official oath consecrates the officer, have been called to witness the
solemn ceremonial. The oath taken in the presence of the people
becomes a mutual covenant. The officer covenants to serve the whole
body of the people by a faithful execution of the laws, so that they may
be the unfailing defense and security of those who respect