Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-13

over thai celebrated people, IN tho science mOs us'
ln TO man, by having carried into actual practice
system Of government, oil which tho wsest Athenans
had but a glimpse in theory, aud considered as
blessing to be realized, however ordenty to be
desired The place which you ara 10 occupy in their
esteem depends upon yourself Forewe
w. ii. HARRISON.
CONCLUSION.
Such, without charging TO refer to other trusts
OF less general importance mt different periods
confded to General Harrison, have been the great
public eniployments, which, in the course OF his
diversified and evenliu life, he has been called to
fill, with honor 10 himself and to the Union. |
The traits Of character which distinguished him I
in those enplOymenls, have been described briefly, |
rs they came successfully in review. Some OF
these traits of personal nature deserve to he more
distinctly spoken Of Ivy themselves.
Disinieresedness and integrity in pecuDiary |
matters have marked all his actions.
As Governor OF Indiana and Superintendent OF
Indian Affairs large sums of money passed lhro'
his hands TO be discussed ut his discretion, and
with few of the checks now provided in reference
TO such things lie gave no security, and the |
Government had no guaranty for the faithful APP
plicaiion of the funds entrusted TO him, but his
prudence and honesty. But lie was conscien
tiousIy true to his duty; neither accumuating
wealth by speculation upon the public money or
lands, nor becoming debtor of the Government
During the war, ms commander in chief in the
men to an unlimited amount, and was daily pass
ing large sums of money through his hands, but
not n cent did he ever divert to his own Use and
at the close OF his military services, here was no
charge against him Oh the books of the Treasury,
except for moneys faithfully and truly accounted
for by him, aud allowed rs such.
| Meanwhile, his s,uutiou in life, more especially
when commander in.clIief subjected him to many
and great personal clnrges not only tOs direct
ly incidental 10 his military duties, in travelling
and otherwise but charges, aso of different
kind, Imposed by the peculiar description of the
forces lie led and the consequent Necessity he was
under ut times. of Keeping free quarters for the
reception Of his fellow citizens, whom his duty to
the Government, aud the dependence of the conn
try upon volunteer troops, made i; important he
should conciliae. Add To which, that ut his own
expense, he continually supplied clothing aud
other needful comforts for his sick aud wounded
soldiers. Hence, though he lived us fruga ~ and
Jared as hardly in the field as any soldier in the
ranks Of his army, yet lis expenses at that pcrio
exceeded his pay, and the balance cuIne from his
private properly.
Since the war, General Harrison has been the
princii al representative OF the military class of
citizens, in The region in which he lived and the
oil soldier The veteran who had served un
Wayne, ST. Clair aud Others and still more, they
who had served under himself, came 10 him To
present their claims to lands and PENSIONS and re.
garded him in the light of protector and friend
liospitabe by nature and habit, the old soldier al
ways found welcome at his fireside. Not only
were his expenses increased, but much Of his tune
also employed, in the duties of charity or friend
SHIP to these his brave companions in arms. ~
Nor did he at any time seek TO avail himself OF
those means, which came in his way, TO add TO
the regular appointments of the stations he held.
While Governor of Indiana and Indian Supelin.
tendent he refused TO accept any of TIE p"rquistcs
which before his time had been customarily paid !;
and for his services commander of The expedi-
ton TO Iippecanoe lie never received or asked
compensation.
Though having n numerous family,-and with
official patronage long AT his command, and high
claims in his own right and otherwise, TO such
favors,-he has educated his children at his own
expense, and waived opportunities of providing
Tor them in the public service, that he might give
his influence TO others.
Thus dsinterested in his public relations land
not less so in his privately he has carried with him
into -etireunent q soils of office continuing tn
possess only the competency which belongs to in
dependence, and that richest of all posse ssions,
the enviabe reputation of an upright life.
Whether in civil Office or military command,
General Harrison wns always just, moderate aud
concillaory, though firm and whether in public
or private life, generous and consideraie in his dis
position, cheerful aud afiahle in his intercourse
with all and though warm in his affections, yet
never violent nor vindictive in his enmities. BY
tins rare union of ability, courtesy and modera-
ton, it was that lie swayed those about him He
HIMSELF on-being asked how he could control the
militia he led TO victory, disclosed the secret OF his
influence: "By treating lhem," he said, ':wilh
affection and Kindness hy always recollecng that
they were my fellow Citizens whose feelings was
bound to respect, and by sharing every occa-
sion the hardshps they were obliged to undergo
ny
His public writings, which are numerous are
distinguished by clearness and facility Of compost
ton, and Indicate beyond dispute that he possesses
great cultivation of mind, as well us great natural
intellect.
1t is not the purpose of these outlines TO speak
with particularly of the political opinions of Gen.
eral Harrison. These are hest learnt hy inspec-
ton of his writings his speeches, his official OF
public cor espondence, and by observation Of lis
life and notions. Que fact, however, in this rela
ton, il is material To bear in mind Though hon
ored with the confidence us well Of the Washing
ION and Adams ns OF the Jefferson aud Madison
administrations, aud though heartily attached u
the Republican principles Of the latter, and one
of the electors Of Mr. Monroe, yet his public SER
vices have been rendered 10 his country rather
Than to pnry and he stands free and untramelled
with claims TO the confidence oil his fellow citizens
founded NOT on narrow party or sectional pecu-
ariiies, but the broad basis of Tried patriotism
and capacity, unblemislled integrity, and his I'M
questionable devotion 10 the great public interests
of The whole Union. And it needs only to add
therefore, that since his return from Columbia, he
has lived IN comparative retirement, upon his farm
ut North Bend, Oh the Ohio, n short way below
Cincinnati, IN the enjoyment of unlmpared vigOl
OF body aud mind, which his active and temperate
habits Of life have secured hun, and in The con-
scentious discharge of all the relative dulles o
the just man and The sincere Christian.
II, ltiswen known the immediate tends Genera
that while ne Governor of Indiana Territory he acquired