Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-09-30
From lhe Chllico.hs Advor!iser.
GENERAL HARRISON'S SPEECH
AT CHlLLICOTHE. 8I


give any Of the minute details of Gen.
Harrson's speech which occupied about
two hours, but shall refer only TO few
strange assertions which he made, some
of which we know to be entirely unten-
able. He commenced with long com
plant that his character had been traduc-
cd by his political opponents ON almost
every subject. In the defence of his
military reputation, which he commenc-
ed, he occupied considerable portion
Of the time, confning his remarks exclu-
sively TO the battle of the Thames. He
stated that Col. johnson was no better
qualified to take the command of the ar
my, than any individual would be, least
ing his eye over the audience) amongst
thuse who were assembled to hear him !!
! That the proposition of Col. johnson TO
charge the enemy, who were drawn up
in line, would have been as preposter-
GUS as to have charged yonder brick hou-
ses in the city. This evidently much
surprised his hearers, and marked dis
satisfaction appeared on their countenan-
ces. He then, after some desultory re-
marks on the conduct of certain Roman
Senators, made an attack on Mr.. Allen,
asserting that he was slandered or niur-
ed by him, because Col. Allen claimed
+ the merit obtained at the battle of the
Thames for Col. Johnson, instead Of
according to General Harrison, which he
seemed to feel greatly operated against
him as candidate for the Presidency.
He stated that Col. Johnson had only
about four months experience in Military
tactics, and therefore was totally ncom-
petent to plan the mode Of attack. He
the0 alluded to the duties of the COM
mander of an army, stating that his right
place was not in front Of the battle; ex-
cept in cases of extreme desperation.-
He then spoke at some length in further
Vindication of himself as military man.
He next spoke in harsh terms against
the present Administration, stating that
the Republic was already converted into
Monarchy. His remarks appeared 10
be directed against the Independent
Treasury law. He endeavored to con-
vey the impression that by it the Presi-
dent was vested with much more power,
than under the deposite system. This
is however, quite erroneous, as every
person knows that it requires an appro-
priation from Congress before any mo-
ney can be drawn from the Treasury by
the President or any other Government
officer, in either case, The power and
patronage of the President is diminished,
instead of being increased under the op-
Grafton of the Independent Treasury
law.
He next made a most unwarra1table
attack upon MIR. Poinsett's Militia Report,
particularly that part which proposes that
the militia should be armed and equipt
at their own expense. We felt much
surprised at the objection which he here
raised. lst because it has been the law
ever since the Administration of Wash
ington, and Is not get repealed. He
then referred to the two bills for organi-
zing the Militia, which he brought before
Congress in two consecutive sessions,
Ito use his own words) positively denied
that those bills required the Militia to
arm and equip themselUcsM We felt as
\ founded that he could have made such
an assertion in so public manner, when
in our paper of of last Saturday, we pub
lshed extracts from his bills, with that
Uery prorision.
The following is copy Of part of the
first section, and that of the fourth, in
full, of Harrson's Militia bill of 1917
"That every citizen so enrolled and
notified, shall, within six months thereaf-
ter, provide himself with good musket,
sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare
fints and knapsack, pouch, with a
box therein, to contain notless than twen-
ty.four cartridges suited to the bore OF
his musket, each cartradge TO contain a
proper quantity Of powder and ball; or,
with good rife, knapsack shotpouch
and powderhorn, twenty balls suited to
the bore of his rife, and a quarter OF a
pound of powder; and shall appear SO
armed and provided, when called out to
exercise, or into service"
"Sec. A. And be 1t further enacted
That out Of the militia enrolled, as is
hereby directed, there shall be formed
for each battalion at least one company
of granadiers; light infantry, or rifemen
and that to each division there shall al
least be one company of artillery, which
shall be formed Of volunteers at the dis
creton of the commaader.in-chief of the
State, and not exceeding one company
to regiment, nor more in number thar
one-eleventh part of the infantry, anf
shall be unifOrmerly clothed in regimen
tails, to be furnished AT THEIR OWN
EXPENSE-the color and fashion t'
correspond with the uniform of the ar
my"
He then spoke decidedly in favor o