Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-04-01

for their sons in The military academy at
West Point, or in the navy. by means Of {
which these young gentlemen are educated
and provided for. at an early age, at the
expense the government. Many ofthose
who thus relieve themselves Of the expens-
es of educating their own sons, are wealthy
men. General Harrison has had a numer
Gus family, mostly sons, and has never been
wealthy. lie has always, since his sons
have been old enough to be educated, until
very lately, held Offices of high grade and
influence, and could at any time have pro-
cured such favor by asking for it. II 3 |
had higher claims to such patronage than
most men; his father was a distinguished |
patriot OF the revolution-he himself had
fought through two wars--o Of his sons
was married to the daughter of the ameni- |
ed Gen, Pike who fell in battle during the
last war; and the children Of this marriage
| became, by the early death of their father.
! denen6ent on General HARRISON. But he
educated his family at his own expense. 1t
Is true, that more than once, while in Con
gress, he formed the intention of placing
one of his sons at West Point, or 10 the ma
Wy; but finding the application from his
own state more numerous than could be
complied with, he dlsntereslly waived his
own claims in favor OF his constituents, and
procured appointments for their sons, IN
preference 10 his own. On one occasion
when his stratened circumstances, and his
desire to place one OF his sons in the mill
tarv profession. had induced MIN to resolve
to ask an appointment for him at West
Point. poor neighbor brought to him a
fine boy. whom he was wholly unable to
educate, add begged him to place him at
West Point; the General took the son of
his humble constituen under his patronage,
procured him place in the military acade
my, and has had the satisfaction Of seeing
him become valuable citizen, high in OF
fee in one of the western states,
In person General Harrison is tall and
) slender; his countenance is expressive of
: the vlvaci'y and benevolence Of his charac
ter; his fine dark eye is remarkable for its
keenness, fire, and intelligence. Although
) from early manhood he has never had the
; appearance Of possessing a robust consl,u
ton, vet such has been the effect Of an ac-
! tive life and temperate habits. that few men
} enjoy at his age so much bodily vgor, or
moral energy. He seldom or never par
! takes of ardent spirits, and does not habit
t uay use even wine. Equally moderate in
his diet, he is empha,cally temperate
, man.
c He is remarkably amiabe in his soca
r and domestic relations. Generous, kind
! and nfi,actonafe in bis disposition-m anC
C forbearing in his temper, PLAIN, easy, an(
. transformations in his manners Cheerful
t and afflblc in his intercourse with hu
e friends and with strangers--ensily accessi
: bic to all, and nnbounded in his charities
Warm in his affections, he has never beer
5 violent or vndlclIve in his enmilles. Thos'
: who know him love him. and his enemle
have only been such as have been created
n by his political relations or by the operation
of causes growing out OF party feeling. 1t
S long life Of coIIlsionAvith men of ever,
d class frequently with the most fierce, tor
5 bulent, and ungovernable, we have NJ
;, knowl edge of his having been engaged il
e personal hnstilties, or in a duel and sucl
d was the effect OF his mild and gentleman,
n example, that not duel was fought in thu
# north. western army while he commanded
>. The son of one of the signers Of the De
claration of Independence. and reared IN
d der the eve and influence Of the founders o
}. our government. he early imblbed a dceI
|, reverence for the constitution, which hu
e bren evinccd in all his public acts through
is life. From the house Of his father, the
guardianship of Robert Morris, and tn
It patronage of Washington, he passed init
i, the service Of his country in the compan
n ionshp Of Wayne. St. Clair. and other Il
>, lustrous men. of that noble band who Ian
y The foundation of our liberty. In civil of
= flee he became associated with Jefferson
} Madison Monroe, and other master spirits
Ie who, while they were among the fathers
l. the constitution were also tho great lee'er
lie of the democratic party. Ttey protesse
1t the principles which had been distilled int
Is bis mind from early infancy, and which, /
a the mature reflection OF manhood he con
:, .i6ered right, and he acted with the demo
lr cratic party consistently and steadily. Fror
re early associations, therefore, as well q
g from principle, he has retained through a
IT vicissitudes Of life an ardent love and dee
is reverence for the pure maXimS of the revo
N luton: and has been in the habit of testin
Iy his political opinions by the constitution II
he self, and the con:emporaeous exposition {
It's trainers
ID In civil office, and in military command
u he was always Just. moderate and firm
u avoiding violent and arbitrary measures
70 aud preferring to govern by persuasion an
- argument.
.. The talents and attanments Of Gener;
+ Harrison may be estimated from his wr
10 tngs. his speeches and his acts. The ma
m who would deny to him high order Of II
n, relect, must he regardless Of the evdenC
n of history. For forty years his name hG
,r been associated with the most mportaT
r. transactions of our country. and the proc
q. of his intellectual endo wmenrs may be toun
N on its records. The lawyer whose who
ID time has been devoted TO the examnatlo
20 of a particular class of subjects may be alb
n to embody his thoughts on question {
- constitutional or municipal law with MOI
,b Technical precision, and mould his languag