Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-07-02

county When the famous Oswsgo letter wac re-
ceived il was read, and usual with such letters,
endorsed it and handed it to Major Gwynn. But,
il seems, when the answer was prepared II was
signed also by his colleagues Of the County City
Committee. OF all this knew nothing--nor in
their capacity Of Committee had they any thing to
do with my letters. Yet by a little mistake and
much pcrversion these gentlemen have been erected
into committee Of my conscience keepers and
made TO shut me up in cage TO prevent me from
answering Undergraduates. General Harrison
marked that, had he, indeed called to his assistance
the services of friend in conducting bis corespon-
dence, he would have had high authority 10 justify
him in the measure. Il had been said Of General
Washington that many Of the papers which bear
his signature were written by Others and he belize
we'd II had never been contfad cited and General
Breckenridge, aid to General jackson IN the late
war, had represented himself to be the author Of
much of General Jackson's correspondence But
he had not done so, to any extent or in any other
sense than as be had explained tin request
ing Major Gwynn to refer those addressing inqui-
riss him, the public sources Of Information
And he would here say that in all his public life,
civil and military, there letter, report,
speech or order, bearing his name, which not
written wholly by his own hand. He said, to open,
read, and all the letters received by him,
was rhy sically impossible, though he should do
thing else whatever. To give his hearers idea
Of the labor IL would require, he said gentleman
then present, IT'D him the morning he left Gin
cinnati when he took from the Post Office IL letters
there were usually half the number at the Post
Office near his resdence--24 letters per day
Could any man, he asked, give the requisite stten-
tion to such daily correspondence, even at the ne
glect of every other engagement True it was,
that many communications were sent hun which
were not entitled to hi. notce-sent by persons Who
had no other object but to draw from him some
thing which might be used to his injury and the
injury of1he cause with which, he was identified
yet, there were enough of those which claimed his
respectful consideration for the from which
they came and the subjects to which they referred
30 occupy more time and labor than any
could bestow upon them
Gen. Harrison said he had alluded particularly
to this matter Of the Committee because it had SO
recently been the occasion OF so much animadver-
sion by his political adversaries. But it was one
only Of many Misrepresentation OF i'm, his conduct,
his principles and his opinions with which the par
~ Press was teemng. lie said il would occupy
him many hours to discuss them, if it neces-
ssry proper for him to do SO. He referred. how
ever, to the Richmond EnquiIer-and expressed
his surprise at the manner in which his name and
character had been treated by that paper. He did
90, IL afforded example Of the prostitution of
the press to party purposes. That Paper, which
formerly did him more than justice and paid him
the highest compliments a soldier and civilian
man whom he considered well qualified for the
responsible place Of Secretary Of War-was now
lending itself the circulation OF the most discred
liable calumnies against him and endeayoring TO
persuade his country men that he was coward and
. federalist He alluded to the evidence upon
which the Enquirer sought to iasten the accusation
that he was biackcockude federaiist--i e.--the |
remarks Of Mr.. Randolph in the Senate of ths Uni
ted States. He said that the attack of Mr. Ran. |
dolph was met at the moment it made and eff |
fectually disproved. He passed high encomium |
upon the genius Of that remarkable man, and said |
that those who knew Mr.. Randolph, knew that lie |
never gave up point in debate. or receded from
his ground any where, until convicted of error
The fact that he made reply to his answer TO
the charge is proof to any familiar with hiss charac
ter, that he himself satisfied that he had erred.
General Harrison explained the foundation of Mr..
Randoph's charge, made al moment OF Temporal
ry irritation. He said that old Mr.. Adams refused
to adopt against France the measures which his
party desired, and showed himself in that respect
at least, more an American than Parlizan. 1t
was that course of policy of Mr. Adams which
commanded his appreciation and induced him
express himself, at the time. Mr.. Randolph Ie-
membered the expression but probably forgot the
particular subject of H. aud thus the very fact which
proved him to belong to the Republican party of
1900, long years aterward, is separated from its
tsndsnt circumstances and used TO prove him a Fe-
much earnestness on the injustice which thus
attempted to be inflicted his character in bis
tive State, in which, when truth and virtue and hD-
nor had suffered violence every where else, he had
hoped they would survive.
Gsn. Harrison alluded 10 several other instances
Of gross misrepresentation or absolute fasehoods
-industriously and shamefully propagated by
party press. Ii seems almost Incredible, fellow
citizens" said he, but it is Ina, from long
epeech, filling several columns of paper two .hon
sentences have been taken from different parts OF
it-these two sentences, separated from their con-
text, are put together my name attached TO them,
and published throughout the land as an authentic
document" He deplored that state of public SEN
tment which could tolerate such system OF party |
action and trusted for the honor Of his country and
the hopes of liberty. that the reformation of such
abuses would sooa be Wrought out by the force of
pure and healthy public opinion.
"Why, feliow-citizeDs, said General Harrison |
=" have recently, in that House, (pointing the |
State House, been charged with high offences !
against my country, which If tue, ought TO cost me
my life." Eyes" continued he "accusato were |
there laid to my charge which being established
would subjec, me, Row, to the severest penal
ties vi ch military law inficts-for, have always
held that an officer may not escape the responsible
titles of misconduct BY resignng his commission
These charges not made by my companions in
arms, by the eye-wtnesses of my actions, by the
great and good and brave men who fought by my
side or under my command. They tell differ
ent story. But heir evidence, clear, unequivocal
and distinct-the testimony Of Governor Shelby,
the venerable hero of Kings Mountain of the gal
liant Perry, and Of many brave and generous spirits
who saw and knew and participated in all the ope-
rations connected with the battle of the Thames
the evidence Of impartial aud honorable men, the
records OF history and the authority Of
universal public opinion, all cast aside, in defer
enre tn ba rack less asa of w
either not in being handled p the arms of their
nursesi Gen. Harrison said he Acknowledged that
these calumnies were dsagreeable ohim. His good
name such it was, his most perfect treasure