The Committee of Ways and Means framed a tariff bill along the line suggested by the President, and this bill, the Wilson Bill, passed the House, February 1, 1894. The Senate once more stood in the way and amended it greatly in the direction of higher duties. When after months of discussion it passed the Senate by a small majority it bore but a very slight resemblance to the original bill. In August, 1894, the amended bill passed both Houses and became law without the signature of the President. President Cleveland deeply deplored what he conceived to be a falling away from true Democratic principles; besides his party had broken the pledges made to the electors during the campaign. How deeply he felt can be gathered from the letter which he addressed on this subject to Mr. Wilson, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, who introduced the bill to the House.

"My public life has been so closely related to the subject, I have so longed for its accomplishment, and I have so often promised its realisation to my fellowcountrymen as a result of their trust and confidence in the Democratic party, that I hope no excuse is necessary for my earnest appeal to you that in this crisis you strenuously insist upon party honesty, and good faith, and a sturdy adherence to Democratic principles.

"I believe these are absolutely necessary conditions to the continuation of Democratic existence. I cannot rid myself of the feeling that this conference will present the best, if not the only hope of true Democracy. Indications point to its action as the reliance of those who desire the genuine fruition of Democratic effort; the fulfilment of Democratic pledges, and the redemption of Democratic promises

to the people. To reconcile differences in the details comprised within the fixed and well defined lines of principle, will not be the sole task of the conference, but, as it seems to me, its members will also have in charge the question whether Democratic principles themselves are to be saved or abandoned.

"There is no excuse for mistaking or misapprehending the feeling and temper of the rank and file of the Democracy. They are downcast under the assertion that their party fails in ability to manage the government, and they are apprehensive to bring about tariff reform which may fail; but they are much more downcast and apprehensive in their fear that Democratic principles may be surrendered."

The President gave the following reason for refusing to affix his signature to the amended Wilson Bill: "I take my place with the rank and file of the Democratic party who believe in tariff reform and well know what it is, who refuse to accept the results embodied in this bill as the close of the war, who are not blinded to the fact that the livery of Democratic reform has been stolen and worn in the service of Republican protection, and who have marked the places where the deadly blight of treason has blasted the counsels of the brave in their hour of might. The trusts and combinations-the communism of pelf-whose machinations have prevented us from reaching the success which we deserve, should not be forgotten nor forgiven."

The depression continued in the country and larger deficits followed. The President recommended still further reform of the banking and currency laws, but Congress was not with him. How much he was out of touch with Congress is shown by a river and harbour bill which sanctioned much extravagant and

unnecessary expenditure. This bill was passed over the President's veto. There was general chaos in the country, but through it all the Executive remained firm and true to principle.

He was tested in many ways and ever proved himself strong. The employees of the Pullman Car Company struck work, and as a result riots prevailed in Illinois. The Governor of Illinois, Mr. Altgeld, acted with a lack of firmness which would almost make one suspect him of being in sympathy with the strikers. The railways were boycotted and the postmasters in Chicago appealed to the Federal government for help and Mr. Cleveland sent troops to Chicago against the protest of Mr. Altgeld. His firmness in this critical situation caused the strike to suddenly terminate.

The time for once more nominating a candidate for President came round and Mr. Cleveland had no hope of a renomination. Apart from the general antipathy in the country to any man occupying the Presidency for a third term, he had made enemies of an exceedingly influential wing of the Democratic party. The silver men of the West were opposed to him. He continued vigorously to denounce the free silver movement, and was the recognised leader of the gold standard wing of the Democratic party. He was in a very decided minority, and William J. Bryan, the silver-tongued orator from Nebraska, was nominated for President.

After the inauguration of William McKinley, President Cleveland once more took up the life of an ordinary citizen of the United States. He still continues to represent what is highest and best in Democracy, and the time may yet come when his party will be forced to call him again to its leadership.

While in power he did much for the country; he brought it back to a sound currency, thus paving the way for the prosperity under President McKinley; he made more genuine civil service reforms than any other President, and by his firmness in international matters launched his country on a new career. From the time he asserted the Monroe Doctrine with regard to the Venezuela situation the United States has been a most decided factor in world politics. It is true he lacked diplomatic fineness, and was more or less stubborn and self-willed, but he was the tool of no man or party and strove to live up to the letter of his pledges. That he was unable to keep faith with the country was due to the selfishness of the representatives of the people in Congress.

CHAPTER XXIII.

PRESIDENT BENJAMIN HARRISON.

(ONE ADMINISTRATION, 1889-1893.)

THE biographers of the presidents of the United States have had some little difficulty in proving that the subjects of their study were descended from noble ancestors. In one or two instances, such as Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, they have failed hopelessly, and in several others have made out very doubtful cases.

With regard to Benjamin Harrison, the twentythird President of the United States, they have had, however, very little difficulty in making out a good case. He was of fine old Virginia stock-Puritan stock at that-which had been formed in the school of Cromwell. His first Virginian ancestor was a cousin of Major-General Thomas Harrison, one of Cromwell's generals, and a trusted one. It was Thomas Harrison who conveyed King Charles I. from Hurst to Windsor Castle, and afterwards from Windsor Castle to Whitehall for trial. He, too, sat as one of his judges and his name is affixed to the king's death warrant. On the restoration he was one of the regicides who was executed by the Royalists. Samuel Pepys thus wrote of his execution in his famous Diary: