Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-03-31
From The Cincinnati Gazette.
THE PEOPLES CANDIDATE

uIllll luIlIIGT uOliCcs
From The Cincinnati Gazette.
THE PEOPLES CANDIDATE.
Among the numerous Narratives, Sketches,
and Outlines of the life aud public services of
Gen. Harrison, which the demand of the Peo-
pie for informal on concerning their candidate
has recently forced from the press, we have met
" tn nothing which has afforded US more graf
ification than the Address of the Honorable
Caleb Gushing, member of congress from Mas
sachusetts, to his constituents. Ii is of con-
siderable length, and gives the fullest and
most luminous views of General Harrison's CT
vii and military services, that have appeared.
We should Ike to he aUle to transfer the whole
of ii to the columns of the Gazette, and then
follow It's publication up with a sketch, the full
lest and best that any body ever has written or
ever can write, IF the public services of Martin
Van Buren. NO mind, not purposely sealed
to conviction, could possibly resist The evidence
which such parallel would afford, of the supe-
rior wisdom, superior Acknowledgements states
manship, superior patriotism, and superior
qualifications OF all kinds, Of William Henry
Harrison, for the high responsible station of
President of the United States.
The extract from Mr. Cushing's Address,
w
We cannot but invite the particular attention
of our readers, to the views herein contained
of the character and capacity of the People's
candidate. Mr. Gushing is one of the ablest
men in tie House of Representatives, and one
of the best writers in the country. His opin
ions are not the opinions of Mr. Nobodv, but
have weight and may safely be received as au-
tn r.ty.
"Such, without charging to refer to other
trusts of less general Importance at different
periods confded to General Harrison, have
been the great public employments, which IN
the course of his diversified and eventfUl life,
he has been called to fill, with honor to himself
and the Union.
The traitsof character, which distinguished
him in these employmenis, have been desert
bed briefly, as they came successfully in re-
view. some ofthese traits, of a personal ma
ture, deserve to be more distinctly spoken ofby
themselves.
Disinterestedness and integrity in pecuniary
matters have marked all his actions.
As Gov ernor of Indiana and as SuperInten-
dent of Indian Affairs, large sums of money
passed through his hands to be disbursed at
his discretion, and with few of the checks now
provided in reference to such things. He gave
no security, and the Government had no guar
anty for the faithful application of the funds en-
trusted to him, but his prudence and honesty.
But he was consciously true to his duty nei-
Their accumulating wealth by speculation upon
the public money or lands, nor becoming a
debtor fthe Government.
During the war, as commandment chief in
the Northwest, he had liberty to draw on the
Government to an unlimited amount, and was
daily passing large sums of money through his
hands, but not a cent did he ever divert to his
own use; and at the close of his military servl-
ces, there was no charge against him on the
books ofthe Treasury, except for moneys faith
fully and truly accounted for by him, and al
lowed as such.
Meanwhile, bis situation in life, more espe-
cally when Commander-in-chief, subjected
him to many and great personal charges /; not
only those directly incidental to his military du-
ties, in travelling and otherwise but charges,
also. of a different kind, imposed by the pecuh-
ar description of the forces he led, and the con-
sequent necessity he was under at times, of
keeping free-quarters for the reception of his
fellow citizens, whom his duty to the Govern
nent, and the dependence ofthe country upon
volunteer troops, made it important he should
conciliate. Add to which, that at his own ex-
pense. he continually supplied clothing and
other needful comforts for his sick and wound
ed soldiers. Hence, though he lived as frugal
" and Jared as hardly in the field as any sold
Ter IN the ranks OF his army, yet his expenses
at that period exceeded his pay, and the bal.
ance came from his private property.
Since the war, General Harrison has been
the principal representative ofthe military class
OF our citizens IN he region in which he lived
and the old soldier, the veteran, who had SER
we'd under Wayne, st. Clair, and others, and
still more, they who had served under himself
came to him to present their claims for lands
and pensions, and regarded him in the light of
protector and friend. Hospitable by ma
ture and habit, the old soldier always found
welcome al his fresde. Not oaly were his
expenses increased, but much Of his time also
employed, IN the duties of charity or friendship
20 these his brave companions in arms.
Nor did he at any time seek to avail himself
OF those means, which came in is way, to add
TO the regular appointments of the stations
he held. While Governor of Indiana and In
dian superintendent, he refused to accept any
OF the perqulsltes, which before his time had
oeen customarlly paid; and for his services as
commander OF the expedition TO Tippecanoe.
ne never received or asked compensation.
Though having numerous family-and
with official patronage long at his command
and high claims in his own right and other
wise, TO such favors-he has educated his chill
dren at his own expense, and waived oppor-
tunties Of providing for them in the puhlic
theirs.
Thus disinterested in his public relations.
(and not less so, indeed, in his privately he has
carried with him into retirement no spoils of
Office; continuing to possess only the compe
tency winch belongs to independence, and that
ton ola upright life.
Whether in civil Office or military command
Gen: Harrison was always lust. moderate and
cs.onclltory, though firm; and whether 10 pub.
nc OF private life, generous and considerafe II
ms disposition, cheerful and affable in his in.
sereoafse with all; and though warm in his az
isce'ons' Yet never violent Ror viajicfve in IL
eaaties By this raro un;oao f abilitg !. $50 =.