The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-12
COMMUNICATIONS.
TO AMOS KENDALL.
No. 2.

presentation and detractlon AFTER an asctiPloiO Vi
rnotives to the conventions who nominated Gen.
Harrison utterly at variance with the true ones,
YOU endeavor to depreciate the military claims oil
the hero of Tippecanoe, by declaring that 'gttef
a series of military bluderS, fortunately for ms
co,p,,,qJ." he s'resignsd his commission an the
midst of the 4saT" To what movement of Gen
Harrison, from the battle of Tippecanoe, in
1911, to the glorious defeat Of Proctor and re
c,tnseh, in 1918, will you dare point, as partaN-
ing of the character of ;'bl1nder" Surely not
TO the gallant and successful repulse on the va
bash, of the attack of an Infatuated Indian force,
nor to the brilliant defence of, and Sortte at,
Fort JIeigS, where superior force OF British
and Indians, after a four days selge, and series
of attacks and repulses, Were compelled by the
old veteran Harrison, and his brave troops, to
retire discomftted and disgraced. Much less Will
YOU name the battle of the Thames, where MS
success was no less overwhelming to the enemy
than honorable to Harrison and his gallant asso-
ciates in arms.
What, pray, do you conceive to be the eyiden-
ces of good generalship'S Is it not the power OF
conception, combination, and execution? Is 1t
NOT the ability to seize and convert to the best ad
vantage. every favorable circumstance that may
present itself3 Do you require other proof, than
is afforded by the history of your country, to con-
vince YOU. that while General Harrison possess
es the requisite qualifications of good general,
he has the cool, collected bravery, to enable him
to do all that man can do? Hitherto, the success
of a campaign has given eclat to the commander
who conducted it; but you are SO fastldlous IN
your taste, as to draw differences OF laundering,
ineficiency and iAcompetency, from that very
success, which has erected in the bosoms OF the
virtuous, the honest, and the Patrlotic' hVihs
menaments of gratitude.
Il was not, as you assert, that, without regard
to his qualifications, the friends of Gen Harrison
nominated him, merely because he had once been
a rencraln But it was because they knew him
to be both an able civilian and good general.
They had known him as the Governor OF the
Northwestern territory, although possessing I'M
limited powers, using those powers with so much
prudence and discretion, and bearing himself
withal so meekly, as to win, not only the golden
opinioHs, but the love and reverence of the whole
people subject to his government.
Again, they had afterwards, when the terrific
nv had been divided, seen him as Governor of In
diana, conducting himself with so much wisdom
and paternal care, as to win the affections and
confidence of the patriotic people of that State
Nay, they had seen the people of Indiana, through
their legislature, unanimously soliciting his re-
appointment of the general government
They had seen him, too, as Commissioner for
making treaties with the Indians, displaying so
much prudence, foresight and judgment, mani
testing 50 much justice and goodness Of heart,
that even his character became endeared to the
Red Men, while the wisdom of his measures eli
cited the warmest appreciation of his govern
nent.
They had also seen him, when the whole In
dian people of the West, stimulated by foreign in
trigue and gold, were in arms, laying waste and
desolate that fertile and vast regIon-when
panic had seized upon the stoutest hearts-when
the Indian warwhoop reverberated from hill to
dell, and the mother never retired to her rest
without clasping her infant to her breast. say
that, under such state of appalling circumstan-
ccs, the friends of Gen. Harrison, had seen him
leaving the seat of government of Indiana, yield
ing up for time the security which he enjoyed
as governor, and placing himself at the head of
the gallant militia Of the West-by whom he
was received with acclamation-and encounter
ing all the hardships, privatlons and perils OF a
wilderness war. They had seen him prosecute
that war with unequalled prudence, indomtable
courage, and consummate skill. With feelings
ofintense anxiety, they had watched his progress,
and with mingled emotions of gratitude and add
| Iii ~
enemy, not only out of the country, by scries5
dexterous movements and'g gallant achievements,
but they had witnessed him pursuing the enemy
on his own soil, and crowning his labors with
the thrice glorious victory of the Thames. Could
they look on and behold such a series of brilliant
results, without feeling admiration for the man,
whose Fshistory is the history of the West'-
whose civil fame and military renown are sur
passed by those of no man living.
Need I tell you, sir, that it was for the rarest
qualities of the statesman, and the highest order
of military genius, which his friends saw COM
bined in the person of General Harrison, that
| they nominated him for Office.
| The term ssreal hero," which, in terms of adu-
lation, you apply to Gen Jackson, nor those of
eewealx and inefficient chieftain," which, in the
spirit of reproach, you apply to the hero of Tip
pecanoe, shall not provoke me to initiate your
vicious example, by speaking slightly Of the mil
itary reputation of the old hero of New Orleans
am not one of those who, for political effect can
outrage decency, and do much violence to my
sense of the obligations of patriotism, to de-
tract from the high deservings Of brave and VIC
torious defender of my country leave that I'M
gracious office to some heartless reptile like your
self, who, after being warmed into life by coun-
try's benefactor, can turn round and sting the
hand that fed you. ANTHONY WAYNE
AMOS KENDALL,
Who art thou