The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-06-15

stantiates his charges by documentary proof
that the Whole military career of General
Harrison ON the North Western frontier
during tht4Qstwar, was series OF blunders'
Mr.. Hawes, of Kentucky, has, in a recent
sneech iuthe House of Representatives un-
nIumed this new hero of the wings. The
foIlowiaRis an extract from his speech
~ Y. Iimes.
His colleague (Mr. Hardin) had gone on
80 euIog;ze their candidate for the next
Presidency, by saying that w. II. Harrison
had speut his youth and his manhood in
battles and in the midst Of fire'and smoke.
Now Mr.. III. intended to review some fthe
acts of that gentleman whoyhad spent his
youth and manhood in the midst OF fire and
smoke. He would first take view OF his
conduct at Tippecanoe. HeNcammanded
upon that occasion rs brave men as ever
went into the field of battle men vino If
they had had proper commander, would
have shed a ray of glory on the country.
The commander, however, according TO the
report of times, trusting upon the faith OF
an Indian Chief, had allowed his army to
be drawn into position, in which 1t requir-
ed the greatest bravery to prevent their en-
tire overthrow. On that occasion Kentucky
lost many of her bravest sons, and among
them the name of Joseph Daviess will al
ways be deplored. He was among those
who fell on that occasion, and Kentucky
was still mourning bis loss.
His Impetuosity led him in the midst OF
danger and slaughter and in the language
of great poet, he rushed into the field, and
foremost, lighting, fell. Again at Sandus-
XIV, and the defence at Fort Stevenson,
where was General Harrison? Where
was he when this little band were surroun-
ded by an enemyl He was at the head OF
an effective army, yet he left one hundred
aud fifty devoted patriots to defend them
selves against superior enemy. lie had
ordered them to retreat, and according To
the letter of Governor Duncan, of Illinois,
he had piled up his provision and amuni-
tons of war to burn them and retreat with
his whole force, thus leaving an extensive
frontier open to the enemy and the savage
allies. But the bravery and intrepidty of
Croghan and his little band prevented this,
and thus raised the reputation of our troops.
According to the same letter, when the
cannon was heard, he observed, their blood
be on their own shoulders.
Does the gentlemen from Kentucky (Mr.
Hardin) think that :his is spending the
prime of life amidst fire and smoke for he
appears to rest his whole claim upon that,
and not his competency or qualification for
that high station. Again, at the river Ra-
sin, was General Harrison there in the
midst of fire and smoke, as his colleague,
Mr. Hardin) had said He was not very
distant, but he did not come to the rescue.
MIR. II. remembers TO have heard it said,
but does not vouch for it, that when the ex-
press from the battle reached Frankfort, the
theatre was in session; and there was
scarcely being in that spacious establish
ment but had lost some relative or friend.
Kctucky was put in mourning from one
end to the other. The blood that was spill
cd on that occasion flowed from the veins
of Kentucky's choices spirits. Years after,
their bones still bleached on that fatal field
of slaughter, and stood as lasting monu-
ment of the i'll starred and unfortunate con-
duct of the commanding General. Was he
in fire and smoke on that occasion? No,
he was not and the spirits of the brave, of
our Allen, our Hart, our Simmons, and the
many others who died for their country, will
rise up and proclaim that he was in the
midst ofthe fire and smoke which cnveloped
their manly forms on that trying and heart
sickening day.
Mr.. II. again asked where was Mr.. Har-
din's fire and smoke hero, at the battle of
the Thames !-There was one in that hall
who was truly amidst fire and smoke, and
death and cold blood. And yet his col
league preferred the commander who was
in the rear, out Of danger, and out of fire
and smoke.
Mr.. ii. here read extracts from the letter
of General Harrison, where he had repre-
sented to the war Department, that dismay
and disinclination to the service pervaded
the western country. He also read an ex-
tract where he said the Ohio militia were
not to be depended on. He pronounced
this slander on Ohio. He also read an
extract where he General Harrison) said
that good militia might be had from Ken
tucky, provided they were permitted to fight
on horseback. Mr.. ii. contended that the
Kentuckians were brave individually or COL
lectively, whether on foot or on horseback,
and repelled the insinuation, which might
be drawn from the letter, that on foot the
people Of Kentucky, were not good soldiers,
and ready to defend the coun try at all haz-
ards.
Popular Vote of Vrginid.-It has been
asserted of late in the opposition
paners that N decided IN naiorify of the votes