The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-02
LETTER OF PROFESSOR EATON.

1t gives us much pleasure to be enabled to
make public the testimony of this distinguished
| gentleman in fauor of tho character and se,vioeo
of Gen. Harrison.
LITERARY AND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Hamilton, September H. 1S40
| Mr.. Samuel Bdicom-
| Dear Sir-I received note from you this
morning stating that you had been informed that
am personally acquainted with Gen HARR-
son, and desiring my opinion Of his character.
My acquaintance with Gen. Harrison can not
properly be termed a personal acquaintance, if
by such is understood that which is obtained by
| immediate intercourse with his person, and yet
feel as well acquainted with his public and pr-
vate character though had enjoyed such in
| tercourse. was brought up in Ohio, and the
General has frequently been in our vicinity. My
father had somewhat intimate personal acquaint-
ance with him, having been a member of the
Legislature with him and of the same political
party Democratic had perhaps every oppor-
tunity except immediate personal intercourse to
learn the Generals character. | know perfectly
well in what estimation his character is held by
those who do know him personally. MY father,
who Is now dead, entertained a very high re-
spect for him. know he has always been re-
garded by candid and honest men who know
him, OF whatever party, as man of rigorous
and cultirated intellect, Of exemplary habits,
and Of The purest integrity and patriotism.
NV opinion of the General has been formed,
from what have known Of his public and pr-
vate acts, and from what have heard my father
and others who knew him say Of him, and if it
IS OF any interest to you, will freely express it.
regard Gen. Harrison as possessing an intellect
| OF high order-as writer, for clearness. force
and elegance, he is not in my opinion inferior to
| any of our public men. His letter to Bolivar
would of itself enitle him to an elevated rank as
iorcible and classical writer. Every thing
have seen from his pen is Of the same high cha
| racter His recent historical discourse on the
| Aboriglnes OF our country is production Of ey-
allied merit, indicating not only great vgor Of
mind but extensive and varied information AS
to his experience in public affairs, there are but
very few men in our country his equals. As to
his moral character, it is of unimpeachable pu-
rty-his habits have always been remarkably
regular and temperate What he has done him
self for the cause Of temperance, in stopping his
dlstillery at great pecunlary sacrifice soon as
the light OF the Temperance Reform showed
him its operation was deletcrious to the best in
| terests of his fellow men, and throwing his
whole influence on the side Of this blessed cause,
should endear hun to every friend Of his race.
| His stern integrity and honesty are proverbal--
his generosity and benevolence notorious-his
manners very plain and simple. He is more
over, | learn from the testimony of Dr. Beecher,
a consistent christian, being member of the
| Episcopal Church at Cincinnati. For further
particulars as TO the purity Of his private charac-
ter, refer you 10 the testimony of Bishop Soue,
of the Methodist Church, and DIR. Beecher of
the Presbyterian Church, who know him per
sonally. This testimony has been published
and is decisive as to this point. You have proba
bly, seen statements and afiidavits about his In
temperance and profanity. You may rely upon
It they are the vllest fabricatons, and am per
iectly amazed thatrespectabe newspapers would
admit them into their columns should Just
about as soon believe such statements and aft
davlts in relation to DIR. kendrck as to General
| Harrison
The General is considerably advanced in
years, but his recent speeches and writings show
that he has lost none of the vgor Of his mind,
and am informed by those who have recently
seen him that he still retains remarkable vigor
and elasticity of body. His simple mode of liv-
ing, and his regular and temperate habits, have
! secured to him emphatically green old age