Southern shield., 1840-09-18


 Beware how you eutrust your rights to the keeping of any man. They are never so secure as. when protected by your own shield and defended by yourselves win your own weapons. Gen Harrison adverted to the interter- ence of the officers of government With elections. and pointed out it's improprety in a clear manner. If (said he in conclu- sion upon that subject,) l should De so TOT, tunate as tsbe elected President would deem it my duty to prevent, as far as posst ble, the practice of Government oflcers using their dficial influence and patronage for electonetring purposes; but at the same time, those dficers should be allowed the freest exercise of the elective franchlse-at perfect liberty to vote for & against whom soever they peasedS without the fear of be- ing proscribel or removed from offce on account of thGr politicapreferences.
 In concusi.n, fellow-citizens, indulge me in few remirks in regard to my old fel- low soldiers A small number Of them are here by my sde. They stood by me m battle, firm anl invincibe in by gone days. Some of then are remnants of the Revolu- ton--soidirs with whom l served under the gallant Wayne Where, my brethren, are our companions in danger on the field of strife2 Alas many of them are taking their final repose in the calm and peace of Death!
 "Let them sleep on, sleep on,
 In the grave to which kindred have borne them; And blest be the Braves who are gone,
 And the friends, who survive but 10 mourn them
 The Old Soldiers, one by one, are dwln- ding away-glding as it were down the river of time, into the haven of a long sought rest But a few of them even now are remaining to sorrow in gladness for the ingratitude of their country. When this country was dismal bowling wilderness, those warriors were exposing themseves to danger and disease in the unwholesome swamps and morasses of the West by guarding and defending our frontiers Many of them became present victims to the malaria of the marshes and the insalu- brity of the climate, others returned to their houses with disease engendered in their systems, but to finger for time and per haps waste away with consumption; while yet smaller portion still remain among us though generally shattered in constitu- ton and feeble in health. Why is it, fel- low-citizens, that these old Soldiers of Gen Wayne's Army have never been repaid for their services or been allowed pensions by our Government The Nation is much in- debted to them, and justice requires that the debt should be paid, and I could never die npeace, and feel no sting of remorse, if were to permit their claims to pass un- noticed, and without making an effort, when opportunity offered, to have them sat isfed.
 Fellow.citizens, my character has been most grossly and wantonly aSsailed by the dennagoguvs oI tne AdmInlstratlon party They have falsely charged my with the commission of almost every crime which is denominated such, that man could possibly be guilty of. My character, which had fondly hoped to preserve unsullied as a boon and an example for my family, has been much traduced and belied within a few months past and for this reason have sometimes regretted that your predilection had made me a candidate for office; but nevertheless, claim no sympathy of the public on this score, only desire you to examine my past conduct, to read the his tory of your country, and ascertain my DO litical course heretofore, and the principles on which have ever acted and if you find that my doctrines are unsound and unwor- thy of your support it is your sacred duty to reject them. 1 ask not your sympathy or favor-I want but common justice. Let me have fair trial, and whatever may be your verdict, l shall be satisfied Invest gate matters fairly and honestly; compare the doctrines and practices of my adversa- ries with nine; and then decide as you shall think right and proper. Cast aside your prejudces and predilections and vote only from principle. It is your duty to do so.- Heed not the censure of knavish politicians who reproach you with the name of turn coat etc. It IS not oppobrious to turn from party to your country. We should de- spise the odum sought to be heaped upon US by designing men, from their selfish mo- lives, as they despise truth and honesty.-- Hoping that the right may prevail and make our country prosperous, will only add the wish that you may long enjoy its blessings, maintain its free institutions and rejoice in the independence of happy free men.
 EDUCATION IN RussIA-A work on the state of public instruction in Russia has recently been published in Hamburg, which says there are 100000 scholars in the pub lie and private schools in the Russian em. pire. In the universities there are 2,7OO students. There are at St Petersburg, un