The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-21

The following eloquent remarks are from van
Buren, paper We commend them . me auen.ioa
Gen. Harrison. II his virtues and talents are Of
character 10 draw from his political opponens such
acknowledgements as the subjoined, surely others
should not 1eei disposed % deraci from bis great
Erom ne Ohio Confederate.
GENERAL HARRISON.
"a superannnaed and p.liable dotard"-o. S.
4 As the psttieoat General passed through town."
&c.--Dem. Spark
Ii We did not entertain high respect for the pa
pers from which we have made the foregoing quo
iatons we would avoid The Liabilities 10 which we
knew we are exposing ourself when we take excep-
lion TO these expressions But precisely because
we esteem them influential and worthy Journals lhat
we are not liberty 10 forbear the objections which
we have against them, or Of the impnialion Of
faulLfnding disposition.
Can Il be, brethren, that the cause which you es-
pouse, the principles you advocate, or the success
even Of the man whom yon prefer, can only be Sc
cured by the use OF such means as this Are the
truth and the beauty a. d the power Of republican
ism to be established by refractory assertions Of m
diyidual character1 Are Mr. Van Burens claims
10 the respect and confidence OF the people, and his
title the highest honor Of the public service only
be maintained, in any degree assisted BY con-
tumeous treatment Of his rivals In popular favor
Surely there is error in this thing. Divest your
selves II but for moment, of the excitement, 1--WE
your party attachments and animosities TO engender
assume the cool and generous frame OF mind
which well BELTS the Tree and enlightened citizen
(and such you are) and calmly answer the inquiry,
j" Who is he whom are describing as Inc psttie0at
GsaerGl-a snpeyanaaated and pitiabLe dotard?"---
Yourselves will answer--and thai not on compulson
political aspirations out OF view, yourselves will
answer most frankly,--he Is a tried patriot, and
ordeals OF fire and Of water While yet stripping,
you win say, he gave himself TO the arduous service
Of his country h. exchanged the Joys and the sale
ty of family and home, for the pcrils and the hard
ships Of dreary wilderness and savage enemy.
For forty years, thence forward, did ne deyte him
self to the country In peace and In war, in danger
and security In the camp and the closet in the Sc
nate and the battle field did he serve that country in
true fcalty and uniarnished honor-unil, even now,
grown grey In thai hard service which has brought
him nothing but glorious reputation and con-
science void Of offence against the obligations of
patriotism he stands, in his old age, among the mil
lions who surround him. model Of official purify
and uncorrupted integrity. And this is the toll
worn soldier and honored citizen who Is described
as /" a superannuaied and pitiable dotard," and
peftic0Gt General TT
Brethren, III we believe another to be the better
statesman, let us say II we think the aged paIi-
OF entertains opinions and sentiments adverse TO the
important interests vt our country, let us canvass
unreservedly those sentiments and opinions. But
in the name Of humanity and gratitude, let us not
taunl The warworn veteran with the decrepitude Of
years, which come 10 all of human kind nor touch
with rude, unieeing hand, his hard earned garands
won on many bloody field where brave men fought!
Gentlemen, there is vast difference between the
goose-quil and the death-deang sword-a mighty
contrast between the sufsrings and the dangers of
tented field, and the soft and easy life Of the critic
who denounces it..
When under the influence of political acerbity,
one feels prone 10 dsparage the just claims of Gen
Harrison 10 the consideration Of the people, there
are two circumstances, the recollection Of which
ought, il would seem, 10 arrest the incpent purpose.
II should be remembered, in the first place. that two
years have just gone by, when majority Of the citi-
zens OF Ohio would have raised him u the lofiest
post OF responsibility and honor--and that such an
expression Of popular opinion is entitled TO some
weight, in estimating individual character. And,
in the second place, lei il be forgotten (by future
generations il will not be that from the service Of
the State continued through all the active years of
heightened life, he reiires in poverty. When the
fact becomes so common as no longer to be remark
able, let his country to hold ii as a token of
Harrsons worth but while yet il remains the
solitary instance, save one, ia which the love of
money has been totally lost in the noble love Of
country and honor, let il be acknowledged as The
proudest monument of his greatness and the best
memorial of his virtue