The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-28

brief history 81 the iJe 81 Gen. HHtdm
Henry Harrison.
Mr.. PREsIDENT-
Laboring under the influences Of severe
cold, which affects both my voice and head,
il will not he apprehended that shall detain
the convention by long address. But, sir,
indisposed as | am, must add my approving,
voice to the just and merited plaudts which
have been pronounced from every part OF this
assembly, on the distinguished son Of the pa
trotic State Of Kentucky. In admiration Of
his talents, virtues, and public services, no
man on this floor goes further than 90; nor
does any one repeat them with more pleasure
and pride. They are the property Of the ma
ton, and we all claim them as tenants IN COM
mon. Long, and ardently have desired TO
see him IN the Presidential chair, and many
battle have fought for the accomplishment of
that desire. But few men on this floor bear
more OF the scars Of political warfare, received
in his defence than do, nor is there one more
willing to have them increased in future con-
flicts, should il again become necessary to
vindicate his character or his cause. Gene
raj Harrison enertains towards him the same
feelings, and has long ardenty desiredto see
him at the head OF the nation; nor would he
have been candidate in 1886, had it not
been distinctly announced that Mr.. Chy had
Withdrawn from the canvass.
The State of Ohio has witnessed the honors
which have been paid to that distinguished
citizen, in every part of the Union, with great
delight, and has been among the first to ac-
knowledge, or more properly speaking, to as
sert and yindic lie their justice; and here in
ha If fhia n,tr acsau,l,ly ,rs su
dorse them.
1t is no doubt expected, sir, that the dele
cation of Ohio will say something on this oc-
casion in commentator of their fayorte son,
on whom this convention has just bestowed
ole among the highest honors to which the
ambition of man can asp''5-a unanimous
nomination for the f' office in the gift OF a
free and Powrs.ul nation. hope, sir, shall
not 6e~charged with vanity when say that
have been his intimate companion and friend
for more than forty years. The free and con-
tinued intercourse tina. has existed between
us for so long period, must necessarily en-
able me to speak with some confidence as to
his character, requirements and course OF
life.
He is native of the "old Dominion" and
is an honor to the State which gave him birth.
He is son of Governor Harrison Of Virginia,
who was a. patriot of the revolution, and
sgner of the Declaration of Independence,
proclaimed by the Continental Congress in
l776; by which solemn act he pledged Ibis
life, his fortune, and his sacred honor" to
maintain that declaration, and he nobly re-
deemed his pledge. His son, Of whom now
speak, inherited from his Maker an ardent, ac-
,n,pI.-c,r far ahnya
mediocrity; that mind has been Improved by
classical education, under the best instruc-
tors OF that day; it has been stored with
valuable and useful knowledge, literary. sci
entific, and historical. You can scarcely
name an important subject, on which he has
not read and reflected, and on which he can
not write and converse with facility and clear
ness. lie is a good bellies lettres scholar,
ready, correct, and strong writer, and must be
ranked, wherever he is known, in the class of
men who IRE most distinguished for improved
and cultivated intellect. In the finer qualities
of the heart no man can justly, claim a prefer.
cnce; TO borrow the strong expressive Ian
guage OF my friend, Governor Meicalf, ."Har-
rison has an erpanded heart, and tt is nl,cays
IN the right place" Though brave as Napo-
leon, he has much OF the milk of human kind
ness. Benevolencc, and desire to better the
condition of the whole human family, predo-
inmate in his soul, and are constantly forcing
themselves into action. In dress he is palm
and unostentatious, In manners atiable and IN.
assuming hen seen engaged on his farm,
which is his daily employment, and necessarily
followed to obtain his daily bread, you cannot
distinguish him, by the appearance Of his
dress, from any of his brother farmers who
are laboring in. the vicinity. His house is
open to all, and its hospitalities free for ALL
whether high or low, rich or poor. 1t is not
exaggeralion when say, believe me, sir, it is
not poetry or Fiction, when say if he had but
one dollar he would not, because he could
not, refuse to divide il with friend in dis ress
In politics he has always been Demo.
cratic Republican of the school of Washing
ton, Jefferson, and Madison; he detests the
agrarian, nfidel principles which are gaming
power and influence at the present day, and
ressts the doctrine tina, the spoiis belong 10 the
riclors and that an executive or ministerial
officer Of government may assume the respon-
sibility of constituting the constitution and laws
of the country for selfish or party purposes.
These statements, sir, are not surmises, nor
are they taken on trust, they are gathered from
his long life of civil and military service, and
have been seen by all who have observed him,
either at the head of the army-in the guber-
material chair-in the halls of legislation, or in
a diplomatic station.
In 1871, this distinguished son of the vene-
rable signer of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence was engaged in the study of medicine,
under the care oil Dr. Rush OF Philadelphia.
Hearing of the murders committed by The
Indians, onthe defenceess inhabitants of the
Northwestern frontier he resolved TO go to
their relief At his request, his guardian and
friend, Robert Morris, of revolutionary me-
mory, obtained for him from President Wash