Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-06-30
From the Journal Of Commerce.
GEN. HARRISON At COLUMBuS

f'om iue Jouthhi OF Commerce.
GEN. HARRISON AT COLUMBUS.
Gen. Harrison arrived at Columbus, Ohio
June 9th, on his way to Fort Meies, from Gin.
cinnati. Great numbers having assembled
and II being impossible for them, during his
short soourn, TO be presented to him in detail,
he was induced, AT the suggestion of a friend,
to address them from the steps of the National
Hotel. The Ohio Confederate OF the Ilth
inst. gives the following sketch OF his remarks
ana expresses rist, .s~. .ssasy man i'm Ann
erica had been present TO hear them The
speech was entirely unprecedented, says the
Confederate; neither Gen. Harrison nor any
other person thought of his making a public
address, two minutes before he commenced il.
GEN. HARRISON'S REMARKS.
Gen. Harrison said he was greatly indebted
TO his fellow citizens Of Columbus and Frank
lin county-the most cordial hospitality had
at all times been acceded to him by them. -
So long ago as the time when he was honored
with the command of the rth-Wes,orn Ar
my" and held his head quarters at Franklin
ton, on the other side Of the river. it was his
fortune to find in tie people of Franklin coun-
~ not only good citizens, but patriots and sol
dlers. Their unvarying kindness 10 him had
laid him under many previous obligations, and
their generous attentions on the present occa-
sion he cheerlully and gratefully acknowledge
ed.
lie said he had no intention to detain his
friends by making speech, and he did so in
obedience to what he understood TO be the de-
sire of those whom he addressed. He was
not surprised that public curiosity was ava
kened in reference to some things lately pub
lishcd concerning him, nor was he unwilling
to satisfy the feelings of his fellow citizens by
such proper explanations as became him. in
his pre- sent position before the country. He
confessed that he had suffered deep mortliica-
ton since he had been placed before the pco-
Pile as a candidate for the highest Office in
their gift, nay, the most exalted station in the
world-that any portion Of his countrymen
should think il necessary or expcdicnt 10 abuse
| SANDER or Willy him. His sorrow arose not
! so much from PERSONAL---VERY. as was TO him
the humble reputation he had earncd--as from
public considerations. He might draw con-
ISOLATION, under this species OF injury, from the
revelations OF history, which showed that the
best of men, who had devoted their lives to the
public service, had been the victims of ira
duction. But virtue and truth are the foun-
dations Of our republican system. When these
are disregarded, our free institutions must fail;
he looked theref fore, at symptoms of demoral-
ization with sincere regret, as betokening dan
ger to public liberty.
A part of the political press supporting the
existing administration, and certain partizans
| of Mr.. Van Buren,, also candidate for that
| high office, to which some OF those whom he
addressed desired toelevate him, had invented
and propagated many calumnies against him,
| but he proposed on the present occasion to
speak OF one only fthe numerous perversions
and ISLANDERS which filled the columns of the
newspapers and misrepresented his character
and conduct. He alluded to the story of his
famous confidential committee" as they cal
led it. "'rhe story goes said Gen. Harrison
"that | have not only committee Of cOnsci-
ence-keepers, but they put me in cage, fas-
tened with iron bars, and keep me in that"
| Go one that looked at his bright and spark
| ling eye--the light which beamed in its rich
expression-thc smile which played upon his
counenance, blending the lincaments Of be-
nevolence and firmness--who remembered al
so that he was listening 10 the voice OF son
of old Gov Harrison, one Of the "signers OF
the declaration Of independence" the pupil OF
old "Mad Anthony" the hero OF Tippecanoe,
the defender of Fort Meigs. the conqueror OF
Proctor-,he idea of VIM. Henry Harrison in
cage, was irresistably ludicrousD
When the laughter had subsidized, the Gen
eral proceeded. 81 have no committee, fell
low citizens, confidential or other II is true
that employed my friend, Major Gwynn, to
! aid me in returning replies TO some of the nu-
| merous questions propounded 10 me by letters.
| But 10 such only as any man could answer as
well as myself There is scarcely question
| Of political nature now agitaiing the public
mind, on which have not long since promul-
gated my opinions, by speeches, published let
tiers, or official acts. A large majority Of let
tiers addressed TO me puIporting TO seek my
views on abolition, United States Bank and
! other matters coucertiuO which my views ara
already IN possession Of the public. The most
suitable answer TO these-and to well inten-
toned persons the most salsfactofy-was a
reference 20 the documents IN which my OWN
/ iOns already expressed were TO be found
/ Such answers entrusted 10 my well tried and
! faithful friend MAJ. Gwynn. Letters requir-
/ ing more particular attention answered my
self Every body who knows MAJOR GwyDn,
/ knows thai lac Is not one whom ] would en-
ployio write a political letter. lie Is self
made man, a soldier and a genleman--but
neither a politician nor a scholar. | asked
the service OF him because be is my friend,
and ! conided ~ him, and IL was plain and
/ simple. Ny habit ~ ia receive. open and read
nv letters myself Such as may be easily
answered by another, ! hand 10 my friend,
with an endorsatioE indicating where the in
/ formation sought may he lound--ss thus, 'fe-
I fer the writer 10 speech at Nincennes"
Z ''lhe answer Is seen 10 my letter 10 Mr. Den
! n.y." &c
! But il seems that Major Gwynn was chair
man Of a committee Of the cililens Of Cincin-
natl or Of Hamilton county When the IA
nous Os~ego letter was received, u was read
and as usual with such letters, ] endorsed II
and handed II 10 MAJOR Gwynn. But, II seems