Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-06-01
MONTPELIER, JUNE I, 1910.

| nuPe may ObtnIn tue pardon OF the Anerl-
can Congress- for adverting in this discussion to
another matter gravely put forward by the gestle.
man from Michigan Without the slightest feeling
OF dsrespect TO that gentleman, must I've allowed
to say That his opinions, chastity, am sure,) OH =.
lruded on the House OH this military question, can
only be considered MS subjects Of merriinent.
But come to notice. since am compelled to
II, one observation Of the gentleman, which feel
quite certain. on reflection, he will regret himself
IN sort Of parenthess IN his speech, he said thnt
ruilor prevailed at the time (alIiding to the hat
tle OF Ilppecanoe) that Colonel Joseph H. Davies,
oi hentucky, who commanded n squadron OF cav
AIRY tIere, was, by some trick OF General 1arri-
son, mounted, during the battle, on white horse
belonging TO the General, and TINT, being thus
conspicuous in the fight, he was n mark for the
nssnii ne indians, and fell in chnrge at the head
OF ms men. The gentleman says he does not
vo"ch Tor the truth of this. SIR il is we'll TINT he
does not voucll here for the truth Of long expo-
ded SANDER. II requires n bold man. mar pos
sessng great deal Of moral courage, IN make
even n allison to charge such that, aInilIst
one whose only possessions in this world ure Ills
character for courage mud conduct in war in his
couhtryS defence, and his unstnined integrity IN
the various civil Offices il has been his duty 10
cupy. Did not the gentleman know that this vile
story was known by every intelligent west or
tne mountains to be totally without foundation?
The gentleman seemed to appeal to the gallant
lie spoke of the blood Of their coutnrymen so pro-
'nseiy poured out ut Tippeeanoe, as if they would
give coIntcilance to the idea that the gallant Da-
Vies, VINO le IN that engagement, fell victim to
me ortiiice OF the commanding general, and their
o'ber gallant SONS who fell there, wnnony
sacrihced by the gross Ignorance Of General Har-
risoh III Indian warfare, Now, sir before the
gentleman made this appeal, hc should have re-
inenoe'ed few historical facts, which, il known
'o MN, as should suppose they were TO every
o'her man twenty years of aye in Western Amer
ica would make tile whole speecl, of that geniln-
man little else tllal n most wauton insult to the
UNDERSTANDING OF the people and Government Of
kentucky Let us briefly notice the facts.
In November, 1911, the battle of Tippecanoe
was fought. There Col. Davies and Gel Ovens
with other Kentuckians, fell. These, says the
gentleman, lat least he iDsnintes t,l were sacri-
heed by the cowar,lly artifice or by the ignorance
Of Gen IIrrrson. Now, Mr.. Speaker, abhor the
habit of open Aattery, nay, do not like to look in
the face OF man, and speak of him in warm terms
OF e,ilogun,, however he mny deserve il but sir,
on this occasion am obliged TO say, what history
VIII attest, of the people of Kentucky. If any
community OF people ever lived, from the time of
The dispersion on the plain of Shinar up to this
duy, who were literally Graded in war; il is to 10
found in the Stnte Of Kentucky. From the first
exploration OF the country by Daniel Boon up to
lhe year 1894, they were engaged in one continual
battle with The savages Of the West. Truce the
path OF an Indian incursion anywhere over the
great valley Of the West, and you will find it rel
with Kentucky blood. Wander over any of the
battle fields OF That great theatre oil snvage war,
and you will find it white with the bonss of her
children. IN childhood they fought the Indians,
with their sisters and mothers, IN their dwellings
In youth and ripe manhood they fought them in
anbuscades and open battle fields. Such were
the men OF Kentucky ia 1911, when The bait e of
iIppecanoe was fought. There, too rs we know.
they were still found foremost where life was to
he lost or glory won: and there they were
innn'led by General Harrison. Now, sir If in TINT
battle General Harrison had not conducted as be-
came soldier and general, would not such men
have seen and knowmit? Did Kentucky in 1911,
mourning as she did the loss of one oil her great.
est and I1ost velued citizens, condemn las The gen
tletnar from Michigan mas attempted TOY the con-
duct OF the general who commanded in that hat
tie? Let us how they testified.
In January, 1872 two months after the battle of
llppecanoe, the Legislature Of Kentucky was in
session. On the 9TH of January, 1912, the follow
ing resolution passed that body:
"Rsoiee' by the Senate and House of Representatives
the State Of entcky, That the late campaign rainst
the Indians upon the Wabash Gov. W lam en'y Haui.
son has behaved like hero, patriot aud gonaral and
hat for his cool deliberate, skiu, and gallant conduct in
the battle Of Tppecanor, he well deserves the wGrmes:
thanks OF his country and his nation"
Mr. Speaker, the resolution have Just read was
presented ny J0HN J. CRITTENDEN, now Senator
from the State of Kentucky, whom to n"me is TO
call 10 the minds of all who know him, nan
whose urbanity and varied accomplishments pre-
sent the model of an American gentleman whose
wisdom, eloqnence, aud integrity have won for
him the first rank amongst American statesmen.
Such man, with both branches of The Kentucky
Legislature have tcstf two ot.hs nyiv s'le-
the event took place, that in the cars ,,tign aud
battle OF Tippecanoe General HARRISON combined
the skill and conduct Of an able commander Nh
fh, -. r I.I.-.
American. Who rises up twenty eight years af-
forwards TO contradict this? The young gentle
man from Michigan! He who, Mt the time refer
red to, was probably coming Webster's spelling
book in some village school III Connecticut. But,
Mr. Speaker, must call another witness upon the
point in issue here. On the l2Ih Of November,
1911, the Territorial Legislature of Indiana was
IN session. This is Just five days after lie battle
That Legislature, through the Speaker of its House
OF Representatives, General William Johnson adj
dressed General Harrison in tile following terms:
SIR; Tho House Of Representative Of he IljianA
errIory IN iheif own name anl M behalf Of their coHst
ons mos cordial; rccproca the congratulations Of your
EScelency an the glorious result Of the late sangurrry
cJnct with the Shawnee Prophet and the tribes Of Indians
with him. When displayed IN half
u our country not only the abilities ofthc gen
efal but inc herosn Of the mani and when take into
view the benefits which result, TO that country from
hose Gxcrtions we cannot for moment, withhold our aeed
Of applause
Sils NC Two l>eSlslutuTeSO VI lllc SUITS
whose citizens composed the militia force nj Tip
pecanoe, gricved and smarting under the loss o.
heir fellow citizens, uniting in solemn council in
bearing their testimony to the skill aud bravery
by General Harrison in that battle, which
he gentleman iron, Michigan, with n self com
pacency which might well pass for insanity, now
says he has discovered as marked by palpoble in
capacity in the commanding General. lIut, Mr..
Speaker, must call yet another, nay, several 9th
Fl witnesses, to confront the OPINION of the Mich
gan general.
In August 1879, about nine months after the
Iatlle OF lippec0noe, news OF fearful Import con-
,erning the conduct of General Hull reached Ohio
md Kentucky. Our army had fallen back on
Detroit, and rumors Of tho surrender ofthat place
o the British, which did actually take place, were