Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-07-02

lucky. General Harrison spoke with deep emotion
of the trust reposed in him, by Kentucky, the
occasion alluded to, and said that the commission
which made him The Commander Of tina, brave and
patriotic army Of Ketuckians he had always held as
the most honorable commission which il had been
the fot,une Of life to have conferred upon him.
He referred to very recent story-gotup in his
own neighborhood--and sent forth to the world,
correlated by the sanctity Of an affdavii--whieb
represented him as confessing to young man
steamboat that be an sbolitionst, and that al
though he voted against restrictions Missouri,
he did so in opposition to the ssugg estons Of his
conscience, SC. He said the narrative bore on its
face, the proofs Of its absolute falsity-and when
he pronounced IL n fabrication, without the
bance Of fact word for its basis. II was not
because be thought il required contradiction, but
to eyince The Iecklessness and desperation Of his
political enemies, who seemed 10 have given up
every ground OF hope, save that which they found
in vtlifying his name. " IL is a melancholy fact,
fellow-citizens," said General Harrison, that the
advocates OF Mr. Van Buren, should far forget
what belongs to the character Of an American citi
zen, aRd do so much violence to the nature OF our
free institutions, to place the great political con-
tast in which we striving upon an issn.
such as this. would accept the lofty station,
to which some of you are proposing to elevate me,
fit came 10 me by such means. | would not, If
had the power prevent il, allow the fair fame of
my competitor To he uDJustiy assaiied and wounded
even for the attainment of that lofty aim OF noble
ambition. Nay, have often defended Mr. Van
Buren, against what believed to be the nisrepre-
senlal;on Of my own mistaken friends and others.
Fellow. citizens, il Mr.. Van Buren, be the better
statesman, let US say SOL shall be the last
raise objection against il, or desire to impose
restraints upon the utmost Independence of thought
and action, and the freest expression Of feeling and
opinion. love frank and generous adversary
such man delight TO embiace--and will serve
him, according To my ability, cheerfully my
protested friend. But that political warfare which
seeks success by foul dstrecton, and strives for
tendency by the ruin Of personal character merits
the Indignation Of honest men, is hateful TO every
generous mind, and tends too surely to the des,ruc
ton Of public virtue, and q consequence to the
downfall Of public liberty"
General Harrison apologised for occupying his
felow-ciizeps SO long. He said he would but
mention one more of the latest ISLANDERS which had
come to bis know ledge. German paper publish
cd at Cincinnati, almost under his own rye, puts
forth, With apparent sincerity, that :. General Har
rison, candidate for the Presidency of the
United States, was, many years ago, when young
man, an aid 10 General Wayne during his Indian
wars-and that, whenever young Harrison found
that battle was coming on he always off into
the woods again there was loud and rIessta
BILE lauehter) The Editor forgot, said the General
when he served up this little dish, that the only
possible security to young Hanisons scalp, on the
approach of battle with the Indians was in keep
ing ont cf The goods! Such a story as this
ly excite smile here, it is true, said Gen H.. but
this paper circulstes not alone in the United States
copies OF it probably read in Europe, where
history is less known, and where the contradic-
ton Of such silly fasehoods may possibly never
come.
II has long been proverbial of old soldiers, fell
ow-citixens," continued Gen. Harrison chat they
delight go back to other days and fight their BAT
lies over again. When began this address TO you
intended only 10 speak of my far-famed CON-
yITTEE OF CoNseIEscE-KEEPERs' and the Iron
CAGE" in which they coniine me, but have un-
Willingly taken advantage of your disposition to
listen to me, and extended my remarks to other
housh kindred topics | will only add that al
though they have made a wide mistake, who make |
ne dwell in an Iron Ccge," the unIucky wight |
who put me in Log Cabin was a little nearer the |
he truth than probably he supposed himself to be.
It is true, that part of my dwelling house is log
'ebin, bu, to the hard cider, (the laughter which
ollowed the allusion to the bard cider" branch |
IF the story drowned the voice of the speaker.)
But, said Gen. Harrison, admonished by the pro-
'erb, that you may ascribe my long speech to the
Common in6rmity of an old soldier and bring me
inder the suspicion of tie loquaciy Of age, will
conclude these hasty and unprecedented remarks,
~ thanking my fellow. citizens of Columbus, for
heir politeness the present occasion, well as
or the friendly feelings of which they have uni
ormly and often heretofore given many graf
flying proofs.
The General retired, leaving the crowd, which |
lad continued to accumulate while be spoke de. |
ighted With the prompt and satisfactory manner in |
Which he had met the wishes of the citizens. The |
ippermos idea in the mind of every one with whom
he writer in.erchanged a thought was the wish !
hal every man in the Union had heard the unpre- !
neditated and extemporaneous address. Upon |
every candid mind it impressed the conviction that
he opposition candidate for the Presidency, was
he last in the world TO be made the instru-
ment of committee of " conscience keepers" or
TO conceal his opinions of public measures from
sinister motives, when the disclosure of them was
called for by the p'opr:ety and fitness of things.
The General left the city about ten o'clock, es-
corted by numerous cavalcade on horseback and
attended by the Mayor and the Chairman of the
State Central Committee. The escor, parted with
their guest mile two from the city.
The General was addressed on parting NY the
Mayor, in brief vale dictory, behalf of the cti
zens OF the Capital, to which he replied in his uni.
Iormly happy manner.
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