Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-09
Political.
GENERAL HARRISON'S SPEECH
AT FORT MEIGS.

AT FORT MEIGS.
reported by the Editor Of Tie Detroit .4drertiser.
FELLOW CITIZENS -
am not on this occasion before you, in ac-
cordance with my own individual views or
wishes. 1t has ever appeared to me, that the
office Of President of the United States
should not be sought after by any individual;
but that the people should, spontaneously,
and with their own free will, accord the dis
singuished honor to the man whom they be-
lieved would best perform its important du-
ties. Entertaining these views, L should,
fellow-citizens, have remained at home, but
for the pressing and friendly invitation which
u have received from the citizens of Perrys-
burg, and the earnestness with which Its ac-
csptation was urged upon ME by friends in
whom trusted, and whom ana now proud
TO sec around me. If, however, fellow citi--
zens, had not complied with that iavita-
tion-ifI had remained at home-believe me
nv friends, that my spirit would have been
with you for where, In this beautiful land,
is there place calculated, as this is, to recall
long past "reminiscences, and revive long
slumbering, but not wholly extinguished e.
motions, in my bosom?
In casting my eyes around fellow citizens,
they rest upon the spot where the gallant
WAYNE triumphed so gloriously over his en-
it seemed his pleasure to impress upon my
mind, and in which it has ever been my hap
piness humbly to initiate him. 1t was there,
fellow citizens, saw the banner of the u
nited States float in triumph over the flag of
the enemy. There it was where was first
laid the prosperity of the now wide spread
and beautiful West. 1t was there behold
the indignant Eagle frown upon the British
Lion. It was there / saw the youth of our
land carry out the lesson they imbibed from
The gallant WAYNE-the noblest and best an
American can acguire-to die for his country
when called to do so in its defence.
TAT this moment the speakers eye fell up
on Gen. HEDGES, when he said General
Hedges, will you come up here? Yoa have
stood by my side in the hour of battle, and
I cannot bear to see you at so great distance
now. Immense cheering followed this con-
siderate recognition, and the cries of ''raise
him up" ''place him by the side of his old
General" had scarcely been uttered, when
Gen. Hedges was carried forward to the
stand.]
The General continued. 1t was there
saw inferred my beloved companipns-the
companions of my youth. 1t was not In ac-
cordance with the stern etiquette of military
life, then to mourn their departure; but
may now drop a tear over their graves, at the
In 1898, fellow citizens, l received my
commission to serve under Gen. Wayne. In
1894, I was his aid at the battle Of the Mi
ami. Nineteen years afterwards, had the
honor of again being associated with many
of those who were my companions In arms
then. Nineteen years afterwards, | found
myself Commander-in-Chief of the North
Western Army ; but found no diminutior
in the bravery of the American soldier.
found the same spirit of valor in all-not in
the regular soldier only, but in the enrolled
militia and volunteers, also.
What glorious "reminiscences does the view
of all these scenes around me recall to my
mind! When consented to visit this mem
cradle spot, expected that a thousand pleas.
ant associations (would to God there were
no painful associations mingled with them
would be Iecalled-that | should meet thou
sands Of my fellow citizens here-and among
them many of my old comprehensive
here to rear new altar to liberty in place o.
the one which bad men have Frustrated.
Here the General looked around as if fo
some water, when the cry was raised, "Givt
the General some hard cider" This wa;
done, much to the satisfaction Of the multi
tude.
And, fellow citizens, continued the Gener
al, | will not attempt to conceal from you
receive from you, those evidences of regarc
which generous people are ever willing L
bestow upon those whom they believe to b.
honest in their endeavors TO serve their coun
try. receive these evidences Of regard ant
esteem as the only reward at all adequate t.
compensate for the anxieties and anguish
which in the past, | experienced upon thi
spot. Is there any man of sensibiiity
or possessing feeling of self respect, VIII
asks what those feelings were Do yo
suppose that the Commander-in-Chief find
his reward in the glitter and splendor of tn
camp or in the forced obedience of the mas
ses around him. These are not pleasure
under all circumstances-these are not tn
rewards which soldier seeks. j ask an
man to place himself in my situation, and the
- say whether the extreme pain and angus
which ] endured, and which every perso
similarly situated must have endured, ca
meet with any adequate compensation, ex
cept by such expressions of the confidenc
and gratitude of the people, as that wit
which you, fellow citizens, have this da
honored mel These feelings are common t
I'll commanders of sense and sensibility.-
The commanders Of Europe possess them