Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1840-08-11
Hon. x. NJ. T. Hr~rrs. =
Npcakcr 0f he IL1nsc of Rrnrcsrntliir,
CHARGE AGAINST GEN. HARRISON FOR yo.
TING TO SELL WHITE MEN FOR DEBT.
SPEECH or Mr.. MASON. or ONO.
az IuE
General Appropriation BH.
House of Representatives. April u. 1910.

l,
Ms. tuAIRuAN:-In the discussion OF the bill now
under considerations wish To call the attention of the
'mmttee To that clause of the first section which re-.
ales to the charge That General Harrison ro,cd 10
scH whiie men for debt"
And SIR, if you should not after ,xomi,,i,, find
the charge specifically provided tor in the hill v,u
may see At, with all It's variations in the printed speech
es OF several gentlemen who have preceded me IN the
debate ts, however. with feeling akin TO that Of
humil'a'ion that find myself engaged in defending
distinguished statesman and viruous citizen against
an oitteiuted and most wanion calumnv Nor vouId
have consented now 10 notice IT, but for the perscvc
ring industry with which the enemies of th, inJiv;
nal continue To urge the charge IN certain auarers ol
The Inion and especially in Maryland Virginia and
North Carolina.
In the Manufacture Of this story its author. yentI
desired To combine truth and faIscood IN sucb rr,,r
lions as 10 secure for degree Of currency with
OUT at the same time, suljectng themselves 10 the
charge or wiliul misrepresentation And Il must he
admitted that their effort has proved entirely un.
successful but The inventors aud propasaors of the
fraud cannot escape The condemnation that awaits The
guilty. This charge had its origin IN a vote that Gen
Harrison gave as member of the Senate of Ohio in
January, 1921 The journal Of Iat session is now he
fore me- Bur. before proceeding further allow me 10
say that tins charge fabricated and thrown inn,
circulation IA 1886, when General Harrison WIS first
candidate for the Presidency II emanated FINN ib,
friends OF Mr. Van Buren, in that State and from men
100 who had doubtless searched the Journal with M
cnt diligence m the patriotic hope that its dusty pages
m'Sht furnish them with materials for accusation
cStinst one OF the purcst OF the arc And what
dd they ind TO reward their industry Then did no,
md cb0i they said they did-a cote GYfLori-Br he ,e
~ Tht' men FOR DEBT; but they found vote that vas
susceptible Of misrepresentation and therefore well
suited 10 their purpose. Now, SIR. what opinion did
these accusers of General Harrison entertain in regard
to hIS vote, found recorded un the journaIy Did
Igk 1 tf.,I IL.
stances under which IL given! Did they bcl;evc
u was indeienslble, and that II would render him
Justly obnoxious 10 censurel Ifsuch had been their
reHl conviction, then why, with tho journal beforc
ihsm did they bring a false charge WHY if they be.
heNcd The vote was lnconiestaby wrong IN nritcitc
or mschievous ia policy did they NOT o., bsG,ro rb
fubiic with true statement II he coNe and rein o,
mcf oeIectonS' Think YOU they would have resorted
to carbing and Justification If they had believed thai
""e statement could hare been mate uSf|al 10 their
'a"Sc as tntsehood' This suppusion would make
heln sn without temptation. and practice wickedue,s
without any motive. Few men can be fund
imagine. dePTavcd enough to utter a deliberate false
ho"d IN ease where the truth would answer their
purpose inst as well, or even better From all which
am brought 10 This practical conclusion namely thai
The people residing out Of the State Of Ohio may we'll
believe that there nothing very objectionable in the
vote OF General HIruson. winch his opponents IN The
STATE nave admitted by their reSofiiuc TO acts Of mis-
representation that they could not successfully ussoi
WIN me WEAPONS OF truth.
IN regard Ia the estimation IN winch Ills rba,-o :,
held 10y The People OF OHIO consisting Of mon Of all
parties, and especially by those who have been most
notorious for their zeal IN prppagnmg IT, shall have
soneihini to say hereafter
SIR ] wish 10 call your attention. "a the vote oC
General Harrison and The circumstances under which
u was gwen. The attention Of the Legislature Of
Ohn during s session Of lS20.11 was anyIousIy d.
recled 10 the consideration Of some plan for the relief
OF TIC People then suffering undcra degree Of distress