The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22


} made by soldier or any one possessing the
generous spirit which usually characterzes those
who are willing 10 meet the enemies of their
country.
have now said all intended to say in reply
10 the charges OF the member against the Wig
parry. J shall proceed to notice some things
ne mas stated against Gen. Harrison. The mem
per says General Harrison is in favor Of and
mas voted Tor a law authorizing he sale OF
me poor man into bondage aud degrading sia-
pefy." 10 the people of Ohio any answer
Whatever to this charge is unnecessary. Ii is,
however, gravely brought forward on this floor
by the member from General Harrson's district,
and therefore demands an answer In the year
1871 our State was suffering severely under the
Pecuniary embarrassment which spread itself
through the nation. Thieves and pckpockets
appeared 20 increase, while the pecuniary dis
tress prevailed. II man stole a less sum than
twenty-five dollars or committed any other mi
nor offence, his only punishment was a fine and
Imprisonment in the county jail The expense
oil experimenting, keeping, and trying offenders
constituted no small item in our public expendi-
lures. But when an idle vagabond had stolen
The sheep Or picked the pocket Of the honest. in
dustrious citizen, and was convicted Of il, he
was generally found destitute Of property and
unable to pay the costs Of his conviction or, il
he had property, he usually found means to Sc
crete II from the officers of justice The conse-
quence was, that the expense was paid from the
county funds. Thus the honest and industrious
citizen, after loosing his property or his money
BY vagabond thief, was compelled TO contribute
OF his money TO pay the expense Of convicting
the offender This was considered hardship,
and law was introduced providing that such
offender should pay The expenses arising from
his own turpltude, by laboring for such person as
would pay the highest price for his work. The
sheriff was authorized to sell the services Of
such convicted offender TO the person who would
pay the highest sum therefor. until the fine and
costs Of prosecution should be paid
The bill passed the House of Representatives
by large majority. II was supported by the best
and ablest men in our State. When il came 10
the Senate, motion was made 10 strike out the
section making the provisions to which have
alluded. On this motion to strike out, General
] Harrison, with many OF our best men, voted in
the negative OF this vote the member from
Hamilton complains. General Harrison prefer
red having offenders pay the expense OF their
own crimes, even if they were compelled to la
Dor for it. AT this principle, gentlemen seem
Mortified. Formy own part have no such sym
pathy for those who commit depredations upon
the community as to desire they should be
screened from all proper punishments, not except
ing the punishment of labor Among those
who voted with General Harrison was the Hon.
Aaron Wheeler, from my own county. Our
people fully justified him. Indeed, do moi be-
| lieye man in that county could have been found
willing 10 raise the objection against him which
is now brought against General Harrison. My
highly esteemed predecessor, (Hon. +. White
! sey y known to this committee and TO the nation,
voted for the measure. The Hon. Eli Baldwin
voted with General Harrison. Hew was the Van
Buren, candidate for Governor of Ohio in 1896
| think there was not a Wing editor in that
State SO forgetinl of selirespect as to assa
/ Ind. Dali g
Such, sir, the different sentiments Of the
two political parties. While General Harrison
was candidate at the last Presidential election
the charge now brought forward was heralded
/ forth in every partisan paper that opposed him.
The charge was brought to the ears Of every
elector, and our people made suitable response
| The verdict of our State such as sup
posed would forever silence further attempts TO
| stigmatize General Harrison for that vote. |
believe few papers few politicians can be
found there who are willing to renew the at
| tack. Perhaps there may be more hopes of
success here Time will determine the ques-
ton.
The member from Hamilton was not satisfied
with his attacks upon the Wing party and the
cirH qualifications of General Harrison, but felt
il his duty TO go further, and to assail his mill
tary reputation. Perhaps nothing is SO dear to
the soldier who has fought his country's battles
as his military fame. He would rather you
would ssail his life than tear from his brow his
wellearned laurels.
Honor renown, and glory, constitute the sol
dier's reward. For these he labors and tolls ;
for these he encounters fatigues, privations, and
hardshps for these he meets dangers and
braves death amid the battles rage. If, when
he has done this, and retres to private life, you
disrobe him Of the honor he has justly earned,
you take from him the reward for which he has
labored and rob him Of all he holds dear in life
If the charges rest upon the assertion Of an in
dividua, we should examine the situation of
such individual We should inquire whether he
be Judge OF military operations Has he been
bred TO the profession of arms2 Has he ac-
quired military fame himself? Has he served
his country in times of peril and of danger? Is
he acquainted with the difficulties attending the
operations of an army? Has he ever stood in
battle and faced his country's foes in moments
| of trial !? And if we find the charge emana-
ting from an individual who snever set squad
ron in the held"-who never saw an army Of
men in actual service-and who never even stu
died the theory of warmly, sir, we should be
very likely to disregard his attempts to detract
from the fair fame of war-worn veteran We
ought also to understand whether the charges
were made when the facts referred TO were no
! torious, and understood by all or whether they
were brought forward after the lapse of much
time, and upon the eve of an important election.
at which the person charged is expected TO be
candidate.
Again il is important for us 10 know whether
the charges be made by one who can have no
other object than the public good; or whether
they emanate from the mere political partisan.
The committee will recolect that, some time
since, my colleague informed us that he was
regular physician," holding diploma in due
form. We are thus officially informed of his
qualifications 10 handle the lancet or the '.pW
boz !" but it does not follow that he is equally
qualified to command an army or conduct war.
I will N ho e., With