Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-09-01
A CONDENSED SKETCH


been nominated es candtoate TOT the
Presidency Of the u. States, by large
popular meetings In various parts Of
the Union, and by numerous State
Conventions. very natural desire has
been excited in the public mind 10 be
informed as 20 the history of his life,
and the nature and extent of the public
services on which his claim 10 that die
tinction rests:
II 10 the purpose Of the writer Of this
sketch 70 lay before the people very
brief outline Of his civil and military
achievements, that they may be ena-
bled Co form some idea Of bis charac-
ter. and capacity to administer the Co
vefnment of the u. States.
Gen. Harrison IL q native Of Charles
city county, in the State Of Virginia.
He was born in the year ira. and is,
consequently. at this time, (ls36) about
sixty-three years Of age. He 10 Q son
Of Benjamin Harrison. one Of those
pure patriots, who. in I776, pledged
their lives, and fortunes, and sacred
honor" for the maintenance Of the liber-
ties of their country; and whose names
have been immortaiized by their con-
nexion with the Declaration Of Ameri-
can Independence.
Young Hsrrison inherited little from
his father, save his ardent devotion 10
his country, and name illustrated by
public services and personal sacn6ces,
in our revolutionary struggle. He was
compelled. therefore. TO rely upon his
own exertions, 70 procure the means
Of suppoFt, and 1T an early age he
adopted the medical. profession. and
devoted himself for some time TO those
studies which were necessary to pre-
pare fos it. Bot before the period ar
rived At which be was TO receive his
diploma, the cruel depredations Of the
indians On cur north western frontier
defskgnined him 10 abandon his profess
sion, and seek for honor and dissinc-
ton an the service Of his country.
Haying Termed this resolution, neither
the .Femonstrsnces Of his ffiends. nor
the perils and privations Of border
war cculd turn him from his purpose.
FInding him indexible in his dsteFmin-
alton, application was made By bis
friends to Gen. Washington, then Pre-
sident Of the United Ststes, in his be.
half. for an ensign's commission Ia the
north western army. The request was
readily granted; and ct the age Of Is
the youthful hero left ell the endesr-
menis Of his paternal home to encoon-
tefthe dangers and privations incident
20 frontier campaign.
In very short fine after he reached
bis destination, bis GOODNESS and intTe-
pidity attracted the favorable notice OF
Gen. Anthony Wayne. the commander
OF the western army. and be appointed
him one Of his sids in the dangerous
cansp9ign against The Indians and Brit
ISL forts. The conduct Of Harrison on
that occasion not merely fulfilled the
high expectations Of his commander,
but gained honorable mention Of bis
name In the despatches 70 the Govern
Inens, and elected from General WISH
ington himself, the wsTmess commen-
dstf0n oE his gnlisntTy.
On the death Of Gen. Wayne, In
1897, Harrison. who had In the near
time bssn promoted 10 csptaincy
leftthe sFuny, nnd received the appoint.
meat az Secfeiary Of To- Northwestern
Territory. His department in that sta
ton, met With The most marked appFo-
baton of The Government aud the peo.
pie, and whea the Territory entsreC
into the second grade Of Government
he was chosen its first delegate 70 Con
gress.
Al the time 81 HE election, The west
eTn States au6 Territories were labor
ing under most serious dssadvnntages
TesultSng fFom the existing method o
disposing of the public lands withir
their besdess. Uadsy the sys,ers, a. Z
then stood, ne Government lands wer'
divided int tracts. generally Of abou
1000 acres each, which weFe throw
into market, and almost invariably pur
chased By companies Of greedy specu
latOFs, who sold them oui - en- exorhis
ant profit 70 ne actual settlers. Th'
effect was 20 create most odiou
monopoly, and gFenily 70 retard IA
settlement q that vast end fertile eoun
try. no man who could not eomman'
1900 al least, eosld become the puF
chaser Of sny paEt Of tie public domain
even ~ the Eniuimuna pff1e. oniess ~
would consent 70 become tributary 4
che spscuiatogs. By paying the profit
which hey might think proper 70 ex
tort. NE. Ha11ison ~ once percsive'
the Esuas injustice 81 The system, AM
lie nnfavorabla influence on The des
tnies q the wcstsrn conntgy. and 81
biz energies we're deyoled 70 its over
threw. Shortly after he took his sea
81 Coagress, Re moved The apPoini
faant Of Committee 10 inquire int "a
e8pedieney ~ ehanRing ths system q
disposing 81 the pobiic lands. Thi
moton 8as eaecessfui. and allbeegh
d.ieeafe Eon 3 TeFEitoEY, soeh wns 81
general coaEdence n be- ahilitiss, ~
Re was ar1eaesf ehatgssaa 81 sae tsna
nnthse. AkAe prPss sne, - ~