Finally, by 1880, he successfully ran for the Senate office again. Afterward, he served a six-year term in the US Senate. President Garfield offered him a cabinet position, but Harrison declined in favor of continuing to serve in the Senate. However, in 1886, his party again lost the majority in the state legislature and he left office.

In the 1884 Presidential election, he played an active role in nominating Senator James G. Blaine for President. However, Grover Cleveland defeated him in the general election. In 1887, Harrison declared his candidacy for President.

Harrison’s Presidency

In 1888, Harrison became one of 17 candidates. Although he still looked like a “dark horse”, he finished fifth on the first ballot. Soon, the field narrowed to seven. Harrison became nearly everyone’s second choice. As several more candidates dropped out, Senator John Sherman of Ohio still led. However, Sherman started faltering and on the eighth ballot, Harrison won the nomination.

As you can see above, he returned from the Chicago convention to a triumphant celebration in his hometown. The celebration continued much of the night, until the wee hours of the morning! Harrison returned to an early tradition of “front porch” campaigning. For much of the campaign, he stayed home and politicians, reporters, business leaders, and regular citizens come to his house. He made many speeches from his front porch.

In the general election, he defeated incumbent president Grover Cleveland. And, he became one of five presidents to lose the popular vote but win the electoral college. Harrison made no political bargains, but his supporters made many pledges on his behalf. The Indiana Sentinel published a letter allegedly by Harrison’s friend and supporter, William Dudley, offering bribes to voters. Although Harrison kept him on the campaign staff for the remaining few days prior to the election, he never spoke to him again.

Harrison angered some of his party members, as he chose cabinet members whom he felt were the best person for the job, regardless of political affiliation. He became known for his high moral character. Also, while he gave tremendous speeches, his personal manner seemed cold, aloof, and distant.

As I have noted below, he achieved many successes during his time in office. However, he also took several positions which led to his lower rankings as president.

Election of 1892 – Benjamin Harrison from Indiana

By 1892, some of Harrison’s policies started to show negative impacts on the economy. Several influential party leaders withdrew their support for him. Although some supporters clamored for James G. Blaine, Harrison received the nomination on the first ballot at the convention in Minneapolis.

For several reasons, former president Grover Cleveland prevailed in the general election. Since the 1888 election was a close contest, Cleveland kept a tight rein on the control of his party. In addition to some of Harrison’s unpopular policies, his wife fell ill during the campaign and died two weeks before the general election. He did relatively little campaigning due to his wife’s illness.

Cleveland deferred to the illness and also ran a low-profile campaign. In the end, Cleveland won by the widest margin in 20 years. Harrison returned to Indiana where he remained active in local politics and became a highly sought-after lecturer.

Benjamin Harrison from Indiana – Post Presidency

Upon returning home, he served as commander on the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and as a trustee for Purdue University. Also, he continued his lifetime service to the Presbyterian Church. In 1896, he married his late wife’s niece and caretaker. Since Mary Scott Lord Dimmick was only 37 at the time, his adult children, both older than her, disapproved and did not attend the wedding.

And he lived in San Francisco for a few months while lecturing at Stanford University.

He died of pneumonia in February 1901.

Harrison’s Presidency and historical views

11 Benjamin Harrison Accomplishments as president

• Conservation of forest reserves
• Adventurous foreign policy including the Panama Canal construction
• Supported the Sherman Antitrust Act
• Endorsed bills to prevent southern states from denying African Americans the right to vote
• Appointed former slave, the eloquent Frederick Douglas, as minister to Haiti
• Convened the first Pan-American Conference in 1889
• Negotiated an American Protectorate over the Samoan Islands
• Continued to modernize the US Navy
• First president to recognize international trade as an essential part of American foreign policy
• Aggressively risked war with Chile over an assault on American sailors.
• And, six new states were admitted, more than any other president. They are North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming. Interestingly, he shuffled the bills making North and South Dakota states so no one knows which one became a state first! (North Dakota is recognized first as state #39 and South Dakota at #40. Likely for two reasons: First, alphabetical order, and second, North Dakota receive European settlers before South Dakota – 1812 vs 1859. That’s likely due to Lewis and Clark wintering over near modern-day Bismarck and the French fur traders.

6 factors tarnishing Benjamin Harrison’s legacy

• The federal government surplus vanished, partly due to enormous sums for soldiers’ pensions and business subsidies
• Too closely aligned with the wealthy
• Sherman Silver Purchase Act
• Support for the McKinley Tariff Act
• His cold and aloof personal manner alienated members of his own party
• And, insensitive or unaware of massive industrial changes taking place

Benjamin Harrison from Indiana – Historical comments

Since the 1960s, historians began looking at Harrison in a new light. Prior to that, he seemed mired in mediocrity. Today, he ranks among average to slightly above average presidents. Likely, his international accomplishments and the modern movement toward more globalization hit the mark for many recent historians.

He did emphasize “Benjamin Harrison from Indiana” by focusing on local and state issues after he left office.

And, please comment if you have questions about President Harrison or any other presidents.

Classic Rock Recollection

“Dark Horse” by George Harrison

I’m a dark horse
Running on a dark race course
I’m a blue moon
Since I stepped out of the womb
I’ve been a cool jerk
Who’s looking for the source
I’m a dark horse

Written by: George Harrison
(The last name matches. And some considered Benjamin Harrison a “Dark Horse”)