The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-23

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HON aaA5 e; IN E. Es sssSS OPINION
The following isits Of the Hon, Mahlon
Dickerson (whoS5 - appointed Secretary OF the
Nav nv Or Skson) win be read with inte-
rest. Nhat commentary are the former SEN
timents Of the leaders Of that party in regard to
Cen. Harrison on the present base attempts OF
the Loco-foco Federalists to injure the character
Of this distinguished patriot. "Out of their
own mouths do that party stand condemned"
The people are aroused, and are rapidly learn
ing how much reliance can be placed upon the
charges against the Hero Of Tippecanoe. But
what will the nation-what can il think of men
who would try TO falsify the records Of our coun-
try's glory, that they may perpetuate their power
and crafty selfish ambition2 Not single SIAN
derous charge Of the many named but that on
investigation has heaped higher honor on the
old soldier, and he is coming out before the
Remarks Of Mr. Dickerson in the Senate,
March, 1924, on the resolution Of rote of
thanks to Gen. Harrison and Cor. Shelby
"Mr Dickerson, agreeably to notice given
Yesterday asked leave TO introduce resolution
raj William Henry Harrison and Isaac Shelby,
late Governor of Kentucky, for their distin-
gushed bravery and good conduct in capturing
the British army under the command of Major
General Proctor, at the battle of the Thames, in
Upper Canada. on the 9Th of October, 1913.
II should not, said Mr.. Dickerson, at this late
day. highly as think of the merits Of those Off
GERS who, in cooperation with the hero of Lake
Erie, turn the tide Of war in our favor bring for
ward the present resolution if no similar attempt
had heretofore been made in their favor, but
would leave their fame to rest upon the testi-
mony of impartial history, which has already
done ample justice to their characters.
1.-TWO years ago resolution like the present
was reported to this House by the Chairman Of
the Committee on Military Affairs, BY direction
Of that committee. The resolution was OPP
posed on two grounds, applying solely to Ge-
neral Harrison, as have been informed, Qor |
had not the honor of being member of this
body,) the first, that an inquiry was at that time
depending before the House of Representatives
into the official conduct Of General Harrison, as
commander-in-chief of the Northwestern army,
upon charges which, if well founded, were well
calculated essentially to injure his character
the second, that rumor prevailed that General
Harrison had discovered some reluctance in pur-
suing Proctor and his army after Perrys victory
on Lake Erie, and that he had been forced 10
the pursuit BY the remonstrance of Gov Shelby,
the declarations Of Governor Shelby These
charges, utterly untounded as they turned out
to be, aDere deemed a sufficient reason for post
poning a decision of the report of the committee
until the result Of the inquiry before the House
Of Representatives should at least be knora.
The resolution, after some discussion, was re-
ferred to the committee who reported il, further
TO consider and report thereon. As the session
was near to its close, no further report could
with proprety have been made until the investi-
CATION before the House of Representatives
should be brought to termination. This did
not happen till the 23d Of January, 1917, little
more than a month before the termination Of a
very important session, when the public, bust
ness OF the most pressing kind required the en-
tire attention Of Congress- so that this subject
cou,d not with propriety have been renewed un-
I'll the present session.
A. ~ ire objection, that an investigation
was depending in the House Of Representatives,
into the official conduct Of Gen. Harrison, the
result Of that investigation was in the highest de-
gree honorable to his character. The committee
to whom the subject was referred rere unani-
mousiy Of opinion that Gen. Harrison stood
ADORE suspicion Of being implicated IN he
charges er1tibifed against him, and that in his
whole conduct as commander-in-chief Of the
Northwestern Army, he was governed by lau-
dable zeal for, and devotion to, the public service
and interest
The second objection made to the passage
Of the resolution if well founded, was calculated
TO give to Gov. Shelby the entire and exclusive
merit Of having urged the pursuit of Proctor and
his army. But Shelby, generous as he is brave
disclaims this exclusive merit and in letter
which will beg leave to read, denies in the
most positive terms, having used the language
ascribed to him, and he gires TO General HasssI
son The highest praise for his prompfit,ttie and
rigtfdnce in pursuing Proctor for the skill
with which he arranged his troops for meeting
he enemy, and for his distinguished brareru
during the battle. He states that the duties Of
Gen. Harrison, as commander-in-chiefo of the
Northwestern army, were in the highest degree
arduous but that, from the zeal and fidelity with
which they were performed, they could not have
been committed to better hands. OF these par
ticulars, no one could have known better than
Gov. Shelby"
The resolution presenting the medals after
wards passed the Senate unanin,ouslu and the
House with single dissenting voice
This, then, is the whole history of the vote
OF the Senate, striking out the name of Harrison
from complimentary resolution The vote 10
strike out was reversed, a week after. in a fuller
Senate; the committee inquirng into his con
duct acquitted him Of all suspicion of miscon-
duct, and then the medal was voted to him
unanimously in one house, and with only sin
gle dissenting voice in the other.
SELLING WHITE MEN FOR DEBT.
We understand that this thousand times refi,
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