State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-17


Proctor, the latter by Tecumseh, amount
ing to three thousand. They were fur
nshed with every engine of war necessary
to their enterprise. Yet with that fearful
odds against him, Harrison maintained his
ground, repaired the breaches in his works,
as fast as they were made, and was able
successfully to resist their efforts for twelve
days, when the enemy in despair, raised
the siege and retired. 1t was afterwards
ascertained that Proctor had made solemn
contract with Tecumseh, to deliver Gen.
Harrison to the Indians to he put to the
torture. That stipulation was demanded
by Tecumseh as the only condition on
which he would join the expedition.
After the sic &c was raised, Harrison
again directed his energies to the work of
preparation for descent on Canada. The
moment that object was accomplished, he
struck his long meditated blow. In few
weeks he captured Fort Walden, retook
Detroit, with the Territory surrendered by
Hull, pursued the British and Indians,
overlook them at the river Thames, forced
them to battle in which he routed and
dispersed the Indians, and captured the
entire British army, with their artillery and
baggage.
That decisive victory closed the war in
the West. The victor then went down the
Lake in pursuit of another opportunity of
fighting for the glory and safety Of his
country, and the government having no
further need for his services he resigned
his commission. and Cincinnatus like, re-
turned to the plough, and became again
the humble, unassuming farmer of North
Bend.
Iftime permitted, it would be pleasant
task to trace his subsequent career, in poll
ical life. To view him in the legislature
of Ohio, in Congress, on the floor of the
House of Representatives, and subsequent.
ly in the Senate Chamber, where he main
tanned the same principles, and the same
fidelity to the interests of his constituents,
that have marked his whole life. To the
complaint OF the war-worn soldier his
ear was ever open that merltorious class
of sufferers never sought his aid, or called
for the eXertion of his talents in vain. In
short his time and the energies of his mind,
were devoted to the business he was sent
to perform.
We might follow him on his mission to
Bogota, and see the firm yet conciIiating
manner in which he maintained the rights
and sustained the dignity of his govern
ment. In the land of superstition, where
priestcraft and military rule We're FREEDOM
lnant, and all the powers of government,
concC ntrated in one man, ocr en- 'oy did moi
cease to be republican. The principles
he had learned in infancy, and practised in
manhood, become more valuable in his es-
timation by Witnessing the efforts of arbi-
trary power, on the unfortunate people
around him. Bold and daring in the per
| formance of what he considered duty
AMI feeling compassion for the oppressed
inhabitants of the country, as he heard
| them groan under the yoke of military DIES
potlsm, he resolved to make an effort in
their behalfby direct appeal to the honor
interest and patriotism Of the dictator, Boil
| war. The letter which he wrote on thai
occasion is in print, and does honor to hi,
head and heart. 1t is replete with sounc
| republican principles, and contains an able
argument in favor of civil liberty, intended
TO show the usurper, that lis course was as
destructive of his own happiness and fame
as it was of the happiness of the people
We all know the rude, insulting manner o
General Harrison's recall from that mis-
sion, which again consigned him to a pri
vate life.
And for these brilliant services rendered
at the imminent hazard of his health anC
life, what has been his reward Has i
been money, or fame? AS to the first W.
all know, that he left the public service al
poor as he entered it; and as to the second
let me ask your attention to the thousanc
ISLANDERS which have been propagated, anC
are still circulated against him, for thu
wicked purpose of robbing him of a char
| IN, IL, oh hn hn
devoted forty years 20 the service of hi
country. To what quarter can you drec
your attention: into what administration
print can you look, and not see this pure
unaSsuming patriot, branded with epithet
which belong 10 knavcs and traitors only
1t seems as if every braying politician, whit
looks for office, without merit to sustain
him, attempts to conciiate the powers thu
be, and gain a standing in the ranks of thu
party, by pursuing this unhallowed course
The public services and private virtues
which he honestly claims, and which ar
legtimately his own, are wrested from him
The laurels which his gallant deeds hav
won, are torn from his brows tn decorate
and give false ustre to would-be riva
"Evcry thing amiable, lovely, and of gooc
report" however appropriately his own, i
denied him. and there is no epithet in on
language too degrading TO be applied 4
his character.
/, Believe me, sir, nine ten'hs of those VIII
thus assail him, do it in despite of thei
better Judgment They know tn truth
they understand his character; they ar
; conscious of the ialSehood and injustice q
. their charges; hut having made up thei
minds to cast off principle in pursuit
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, they go aheao
, reckless as the pirate or the highway rol.
. her. They pursue this course from poll
cy, because they know the frmness an
purity of the Ohio Farmer They know
, he cannot be won by parl'zan services
! ,hat In, his hands the patronage of the GOV