Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-07-02
POLITICAL.
Gen. IIarrison's sPecch

you, in accordance with my own indiNi.
dual views or wishes. IL has ever APP
peartd 10 me. that the office OF President
OF the United States should not be sought
sl!er by any individual: but that the peo-
pie should spontaneously. aud With their
own free will. accord the dis tinguished ho
nor 70 the man whom they believe would
bes. perform lis important duties. Enter.
tanning these views.I should fellow ciii.
zens have remained al home. but for the
pressing and friendly invitation which |
have received fro1n the citizens Of Perrys.
burgh, aud the earnestness with which its
accep,aiion was urged upon me by friends
IN whom trusted, and whom am now
proud to zee around me. II. however,
iellow.ciiiZens, had not complied with
that invilation-if had remained at
houe-believe me. my friends, that my
spirit would have been with YOU; for
where, in this beautiful land. is there a
place calculated as this is, TO recall long
past "reminiscences, aud revive long slum.
oering, but not wholly exlinguished, emo.
tons. in my bosom
In casting my eyes around. fellow-cili
Gems, they rest upon the spot where the
gallant WAYNE triumphed so gloriously
over his enemies, aud carried out those
principles which IL seemed his pleasure 10
impress upon my mind. and in which il
has ever been my happiness humbiy to
attempt 10 initiate him. II was there, fell
low citizens, | saw the banner Of the
United States foa; in triumph over the
dag Of the enemy. There il was where
was first laidthe foundation Of the pros
perityof the now wide spread end beauti-
iul West. TWAS there ] beheld the indig-
nan, Eagle frown upon he British Lion.
IL was there | saw the youth Of our land
carry out the lesson they imbibed from The
gallant WAYNE-lhe MODEST and best an
American can acquire-to die forhis
country when called 70 do so in its de
ience.
At this moment the speakers eye fell
upon Gen. HEDGES, when he said Gen.
HEDGEs. will you cone up here' You
have stood by me IN battle, AID cannot
! bear 10 see you at so great a distance
now" Immense cheering followed his
considerable Recognition. and the cries OF
raise him up, place him beside bis
old General. hadsearceiy been uttered.
when Gen. HEDGES wa5 carried forward
TO the stand.
The General continued. 1t was there
saw inferred my beloved companions -
the companions Of my youth, II was
not in accordance with the stern etiquette
Of military life, then TO mourn their de-
parture; but may now drop tear over
their graves. at the recollection of their
virtues. and worth.
In 1893, fellow citizens, received nv
commission TO serve under Gen. WAYNE.
In 1874, ! was his aid at the battle Of the
Miami. Nineteen years afterwards, !
T had the honor Of again being associated
with many Of those who were my com
panions IN arms then. Nineteen wears
afterwards, ! found myself Commander.
in Chief Of the North Western Army :;
but found no diminu iion in the bravery
Of the American soldier. I found he
same spirit Of valor in all-not in the
regular soldier only but in the enrolled
} militia and volunteers also.
What glorious "reminiscences do the
view Of all these scenes around rue recall
to my mind When consented TO visit
this memorable spot. expected that a
thousand pleasant associations (Eould to
God there was no painful association
mingled With them would be recalled
that should meet thousands OF my TEL
Low cilzens here-and among them many
Of my old compaaIons--net here TO rear
J new altar 10 Liberty 10 place of the
one which bad men have Frustrated.
Here the General looked around as ii
for some water, when the cry was raised
D give tho General some bard cider %
This was done much 10 the satisfaction OF
the multitude.
And, fellow cilizens, continued the
General,) i will not attempt to eOncealirom
you, that, IN coming here expected that
] should receive from YOU those evidences
Of regard which . generous people are
ever wiling 10 beslow upon those whom
they believe 10 be honest IA their endea-
vofS 10 serve their county. / receive
these eyidenees Of Tegsrd and esteem a.
the only reward at al adequate % COM
pensateiorihe anxieties and auguishw hich
"a the past. ] experienced upon this spot
i there any msn of5ensibllily, OF possess
ing feeling Of seli-respecl, who asks
Nbat those feelings wetef DO you sup.
pose that the COmmander.in. Chief 6nds
lis reward IN the glitter and splend0f oi
the camp OF "a the forced obedience Of
the masses around him These are not
pleasures under ell circumsisnces-tbese
are not the rewards which . soldier seeks.
l ask aay man 10 place himself 10 my
situation, and then say whether The ex.
iTrmo pain and anguish which ! endured
and shich every peTson similarly situated
must have endured can meet with any ads
quaie compensation, except BY such ex.
pfessIons oi The confidence add gratitude
Of The people, ~ that with which you
have ihis day honored me These ieel.
logs are common % Ell commander ct
sense and sensibiity. The commandefs
Of Europe possess them. although placed
AZ the head Of armies reared TO var.
How much more naturally would those
feelings attach to q commander situated q.
was For Of what materials Vas the army
composed which was placed under my
command The soldiers gho fought ADD
bled and ,riumphsi here, were lawyers
who had thrown up their brois-phym