South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-09-10

UWt tO"s s'so eNfsis0f " my CVUUtIy IL
fugitice from tbs command Entrusted
to me-. Leaving that command to be
exercised by subordinate oGcers.n
These are charges not only calculated
to render me Infamous ia the eyes of
the world, but they are such, If true, as
would have created forfeiture of my
life. No. court martial before whom
they we're proved, would have kesitat~
ed TO order me to be shot. And those
who now believe them, must look up
on me in no other light than as trail
tor who has been suffered to linger out
his existence by the false clemency of
the chief magistrate. of the country.
And false indeed, would have been
that .clemency, which would have fal-
ed to call 10 the severest account the
perpetrator Of. crimes, not only dis
graceful to himself, but to the govern
ment which trusted, and to the country
which nurtured him. The magistrate
upon whom the censure for this glaring
defect Of duty would fall, is James
Madison, that sage and patriot for
whose recent loss, the banner which, it
is asserted, he suffered to be disgraced
is at this moment, In every part OF the
world where 1t waves, shrouded in the
emblems Of mourning.
But |, Is not for neglect Of duty on-'
ly, that the memory of the father Of
our constitution is to be arraigned. il
must GO arther---since the journals Of
congress will show, that 10 comml-
nication to that body, he attributes the
entire arrangement by which she victo.
~ was achieved TO that individual
who, it is now ,alleged,was q "recreant,
at the distance Of twelve miles from
the scene Of its accomplishment"
Nor must the censure be confined to
Mr.. Madisoa.. A large portion Of it
would fall upon the two houses Of con-
gress, which, with a single dissenting
voice, awarded to the same Individual,
their thanks and gold medal, the-high-
est reward for successful military SER
vices which is sanctioned by our re.
publican institutions.
There ia difficulty In determining
which most to admire, the dark malig-
nifty which conceived these calumuies.
or the consumnate, audacity with
which they are promulgated, 10 the
midst Of hundreds of living witnesses,
who could and do affix the character Of
falseheod upon them. 1t is, however,
not difficult to see that the whole 10
scheme of deep laid cunning, and that
it is not expected to produce any ben
e6cial results in the western states.
The traits of this systematic Islander
are to be gathered at distance, since
it will be thought, in the remote states
almost impossible that such charges
could be brought there If there was not
some foundation TO support them. But
maligni,y and cunning often overshoot
the mark at which they aim, and such
l have No doubt, will be the result in
this instance. M
Inc appeal made by my enemies is
to the, credulity, the prejudices, and
the party feelings ofthe -people-m mine,
is 10 their justice alone. l know not the
source from which it is expected to de-
rive any Kind of support to the charges
which have been brought against me-
The usual order Of things seem indeed,
to be reversed. Heretofore il has been
considered necessary to exhibit proof
in support Of charges which are made
against any individual but my ene-
mics seem to think that the burden of
the proof should rest with me. In this
instance, waive my rights as the par
ty accused /; aud at once refer, as re-
CARDS the battle of Tippecanos, to the
proceedings ofthe legislatures of Ken.
lucky aud Iadiana on that su5ject,and
to the testimony of all the officers and
soldiers who served on that occasion.
And in relation to the com nand Of the
northwestern army, to the recorded
testimony of Shelby, Perry, Cass,
Wood, Perkins, Topper, Ball, Paul,
Owipgs, Croghan, and ninety-nins out
Of every hundred of the officers and
soldiers who were at any time employ
ed under my command.
1 repeat, that my appeal 10 to the
just of the people alone. The delica-
cy OF military character will permit no
aid or supper. from feelings of sympa-
thy or generosity. ask OF my fellow
citizens, in this matter, nothing more
than jussice.7-less, am sure, they will
not offer. Tam, gentlemen. with great
Respect, your fellow citizen.
w RI HARRISON.