State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-10-25
REMARKS OF HON. HEMAN AL
LEN.
On reading the 7lh resolution,

Mr.. A remarked, that he was DESTROYS to
saw Il word or two in relation TO il, before
the question was taken. He had witness
scd with pleasure, the growing interest that
was manifested throughout the country in
behalf of Gen. Harrison, as a candidate
for the first Office in the gift of the people.
1t had been misfortune to his friends that
lie had not been brought into the field at an
earlier day. In all candidates. for Office, by
the su0rages of the people, it was their Pc
culiar right 10 investigate the character and
merits of those who are presented III their
notice, and in the election of so high an OFF,
Ger as the Chief Magistrate Of the United
States, it was not only their right, hut it
became their imperative duty, TO canvass
with the utmost scrutiny the talents, integ-
rty and political sentiments of the candl-
dates who might be proposed. His desire
was that such might be the course in the
present case. He wished that the history
of Gen. Harrison should be well understood
before Judgment should be pronounced
upon him in regard TO his character and
capablitv TO execute the duties of an Office
so elevated and of such vast Importance.
After an cxamintion, with the severest
scrutiny, he believed Gen. Harrison would
not be found wanting, but would be pro-
nounced emincntly qualified for the per-
formance OF all its requirements.
Gen. Harrison has had much experience,
both in military and civil life. Thirty-cight
years of it had been, almost exclusively, de-
voted to the service OF his country, and he
felt himself justified in saying 10 the entire
satisfaction of all the Executive Chief Mag
isratcs Of the United States, as well as of
the people, whose rights, interests and lives
it had been his official business TO protect
and defend during all that long period of
time. His public services began as early
as 1871, and at the age of IS years. He
was then appointed by Gen. Washington
20 the Office of Ensign in tho army of thc
United States, raised for the purpose Of de-
Tending our Western frontiers against the
dcprcdations Of the hostile savages then in
arms. H Immediately went into active
service, and being promoted to the office OF
Lieutenant, served under Gen. Wayne,
and rs lis aid, to the final defeat of the
Indians in '94 Amongst other proofs that
he acquitted himself to the entire satislnc-
ton, not only of the commanding General,
but Of the Chief Magistrate, Mr. A refer
red to the fact that he was Immediately
thereafter, promoted, by General Wash
ington to the office of Captain, and had
confded to him a separate command OF the
most important post on our frontier In
this command he WAS continued until 81,
when, having proved himself equal 10 eve
re- place to which hc had been appointed,
lie was taken from the arlny and placed by
the same vencrated Chief Magistrate in
the responsible station Of Secretary of the
North Western territory, who in the alb
scncc of the Governor would become the
acting Executive Chief Magistrate Of that
Government. His capahility and powers
aa a civil officer being thoroughly known TO
the people of that part of the Union, Mr.
! Harrison was, by their sulirages, elected as
their first delegate to the Congress Of the
| United States. In this new situation, Al
| the age of 90, his talents were such, IN the
estimation of that body, that he was APP
pointed chairman OF n committee in rela-
ton to the public domain, and his able re-
port ON that subject, which was carried out
! by general law regulating our system oil
Land Sales, confirms, 10 the fullest extent,
the wisdom of that body in placing him at
the head OF 30 important a committee. Ills
next appointment to office, in the Civil De-
partment, was TO that of Governor oil the
indiana Territory, made by the elder Adj
ans, in the year 1900. This Office was
coAtisned IL him by appointments OF 'he