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Benjamin Harrison Autograph Letter Signed ...
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Description
Benjamin Harrison Autograph Letter Signed "Benj Harrison." Three pages on two sheets of Senate Chamber letterhead, 5" x 8"; Washington; December 11, 1886. Harrison, serving as senator from Indiana, is writing to Indiana state senator Mark L. De Motte about strategizing against the Democratic majority in the state legislature. He writes: "... If we have absolute unity among our people in the Legislature and plenty of steadfastness, we can defeat any revolutionary plans our adversaries may inaugurate. I think it is fair to say that upon the known parts we have a tie on joint ballots now. I do not intend to seek a re-election to the Senate by any dishonorable methods, but I feel as if I am bound so far as it is in my power to insist upon our rights. There has never been a time in the last year when I could not have cheerfully quitclaimed all my claims upon the Senatorship to any Republican who was willing to call the fight his own. But no such man could be found. I felt that I owed it to the party to make the best fight served - though until the campaign was well on I was only fighting for the good funeral and... is yet a funeral... But my personal interests are of small account - party unity and the public interests to be subserved by it and of great account and the situation this winter till be critical. I think it would be well for our members to assemble a day or two earlier than usual for consultation. We must manage in some way to have the House pass and send to the Senate bills... all of our platform declarations and alas to make the investigations promised..." Harrison has marked the letter "Personal" in the top left corner. Although Indiana had a Republican majority statewide, the Democrats were able to redistrict the state legislature in 1885. This resulted in an increased Democratic majority in 1886. Harrison would be defeated the following year as a result of Democratic gerrymandering.Condition: Flattened folds, with light, uneven toning. There is a smudge mark, perhaps a thumbprint, in the lower right corners of both pages. There is a three-inch separation along the vertical fold of the second sheet. Toning and soiling is more pronounced on the verso of the second sheet which is blank.
Auction Info
2023 February 22 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6260 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2023
22nd
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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