I think it’s important to note that William Henry Harrison was technically only president for 30 days before he died. During those 30 days he signed no significant legislation and took part in no significant act, except to call a special session of Congress to help fund the government. Harrison did seek the advice from his cabinet who were against the prospect of giving Clay an early upper hand over his presidency. However, Harrison decided against the advice of his cabinet, and at the urging of House Speaker Henry Clay, called the special session. Upon his untimely death, Vice-President John Tyler quickly took the Oath of Office of the Presidency and moved into the White House. A Whig, he was famously hated by both parties for being opposed to the Whig platform based on his strict constructionist views that they were mostly unconstitutional; much Henry Clay’s American System of internal improvements. While Harrison’s cabinet initially stayed on with Tyler, all but one, Daniel Webster, resigned before the end of 1841, just months into Tyler’s presidency. Webster himself resigned in 1843.

RFK is really talking about a short moment in American history. Had Harrison survived longer into his presidency, who knows how long he would have stayed committed to regularly seeking the advice of his cabinet. Its a strong debate technique from RFK to reflect on a time of greater American unity and more inclusive government, this being a speech given in 1968. However I think it’s significant to note that he is talking about a very limited period in time.