Litchfield enquirer., 1840-07-23
GEN HARRIsoN,s REMARKS.
t Columbus, Ohio ,Ohiie on hts 'cay 10 the cete-
 brGtion Gt Fort Iieigs.

Franklin county-the most cordial hOspitali- ty had at all times been accorded to him by them. So long ago as the time when he was honored with the command of the North western Armv," and held his head quarters at Franklinton, on the other side of the river, it was his fortune to find in the people of Franklin county not only good citizens, but patriots and soldiers. Their unvarying kindness to him had laid him under many previous obligations, aud theIr generous at tentions on the present occasion he cheerful ly and gratefully acknowledged.
 He said he had no intention to detain his friends by making long speech. and he did so in obedience to what he understood to be the desire of those whom he addressed. He was not surprised that public curiosity was awakened in reference to some things which had been lately published concerning him, nor was he unwilling to satisfy the feelings of his fellow-citizens by such proper expla- nations as became him, in his present posi- ton before the country. He confessed that he had suffered deep modification, since he had been placed before the people as can didate for the highest office in their gift nay, the most exalted station in the world that any portion of his countrymen should think it necessary or eXpcdient 10 abuse, islander or vilify him. His sorrow arose not so much from personal-dear as was to him the humble reputation he had earned--as from public considerations. He might draw consolation, under this species of injury, from the Revelations of history, which show cd that the best of men, who had devoted their lives to the public service, had been the victims of traduction. But virtue and truth arc the foundations of our republican system. When these are disregarded, our free institutions must fail he looked, there- fore, at symptoms of demoralizaton, with sincere regret, as betokcning danger to pub lie liberty.
 A part of the political press. supporting the existing Administration, and certain par ,izans of MT. Van Buren, also candidate for that high office. to which some of those whom he addressed desired to elevate him, had invented and propagated many calum- nies against him, but he proposed on the present occasion to speak of one only ot the numerous perversionS and islanders which filled the columns of the newspapers and misrepresented his character and conduct.- He alluded to the story of his famous "con- fidential committed" as they called it, "The story goes," said Gen. Harrison, [" that have not only committee of conscience keepers, but they put me in cage, fastened with iron bars, and keep me in that" Gro one that looked at his bright and sparkling eye-the light which beamed in it's rich ex- questionable smile which played upon his countenance, blending the ineaments of be- nevolence and firmncss-who remembered also that he was listening to the voice of son of old Gov. Harrison, one of "the sign ers," the pupil of old "Mad Anthony" the Hero of Tippccanoc, the defender of Fort Meigs, the conqueror of Proctor--the idea of William Henry Harrison in cage! was ir- resistibly ludicrous )
 When the laughter had subsided, the Gen. eral proceeded. "I have no committee, feI- Iow-cnILcus, xy;'ndSutiol or other. It is true hhI h me m repeas tsfRa ,oM Ms soe Of the nu merous questions propounded to me by let tors. But to such only us any man could answer as well as another. There is scarce ly u question of a political nature now agta. ting the public mind, on which have not long since promulgated my opinions, by speeches, published letters, or official acts. large majority of letters addressed to me purported to seek my views of abolition, United States Bank, and other matters con- carning which my views were already in possession of tho public. The most suitable answer to these-and 10 well intentioned persons the most sutisfactory-was Q refer ense 10 the documents in which my opinions already expressed were to be found. Such answers entrusted to my wcll-tried and faithful. friend, Maj. Gwynn. Letters re- quiring more particular attention answered myself. Every body who knows Major GWynn knows that he is not ono whom would employ to write political letter. He is q self-made mana soldier and u gcntc- man-but neither a politician nor scholar. asked the service of him, because he was my friend. and conlided in him, and it was plain and simple. My habit is 10 receive, open and read my letters myself. Such as require special attention, reply to myself Such as may be easily answered by another, hand to my friend, with an cndorsa,on in- dicating where the information sought may be found-as thus" Refer the writer to my speech at Vincennes"-or "the answer is seen in my letter to Mr. Denny" Sc.
 But it seems that Major Gwynn was chair man of committee of the citizens of Cincin- nati, or of Hamilton county. When the ta- nous Oswego letter was received, it was read, and as usual with such letters, endors- ed it and handed it to Major Gwynn. But, it seems, when the answer was prepared it was signed also by his colleagues of the county or city committee. Ofall this knew nolh- ing-nor in their capacity of committee had :hey any thing to do with my letters. aYet by little mistake and much perversion these gentlemen have been erected into a committee of my conscience-k keepers, and made to shut mo up in a cage to prevent me from answering interrOgaiories Gen. Har- rson remarked that, had he, indeed, called to his assistance the services of friend in conducting his correspondence, he would have had high authority to justify him in The measure.
 It had been said of General Washington that of hn nnN ~xheOh hna hic Sis