The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-25
From The Fredericksburg Arena.
"MADISON'S OPINION OF GEN. HARRI-

Under this caption, the Globe of Tuesday,
has most illiberal and shameless article. 1t
sets out with asserting that Mr.. Madison, in
Sept. 1914, whilst "summing up the events Of
the war;" with view to show that they had
been honorable to our arms, did not eren al
lude to the operations of Gen. Harrison, and,
to sustain its position, quotes the following
paragraphs from the message of September 20,
1914.
"On our side we can appeal to series Of
achievements which have given new lustre to
the American arms. Besides the brilliant in
cidents in the minor operations Of the cam
pagn, the splendid victories gained on the Ca
n ada side of the Niagara by the American
forces under Major General Brown and Briga-
diers Scott ands Gaines, have gained for those
heroes and their emuating companions, the
most unfading laures. On our Southern border
victory has continued to follow the American
standard. The bold and skilful operations Of
Major General Jackson, conducting troops drawn
from the militia of the States least distant, par
ticularly of Tennessee, have subdued the pow
erfu tribes of hostile savages, and by establish
| ing peace with them preceded by recent and
exemplary chastisement has best guarded against
| the mischief of their cooperation with the Br-
fish enterprises which may be planned against
| that quarter of our country. Important tribes of
Indians on our Northwestern frontier have also
dCCtutu W StpuIdtlOHS WHICH DiHu ulttn W tut
interest Of the United States, and to consider
our enemy as theirs also.
| ''ln the recent attempt Of the enemy on the
city of Baltimore, defended by militia and vol
unteers, aided by small body of regulars and
seamen, he was received with spirit which
produced a rapid retreat Of his ships; whilst a
concurrent attack by large feet was success
fully resisted by the steady and well directed
fire of the fort and batteries opposed to it,
| In, Il, -
of our troops at Plattsburg, of which regulars
made part only the enemy after perseverance
| for many hours, was finally compelled to seek
safety in hasty retreat with our gallant bands
pressing upon him"
| Now the Globe is guilty of falsehood, both
positive and negative. Mr.. Madison was "sum-
ming up" the events-not of the war, bu--of
the CAMPAIGN of 1914. If the Globe had copied
the preceding paragraph this would have been
apparent That paragraph commences g In
! The events OF the present campaign" &c. and
| goes on briefly to touch upon the successes of
the enemy-the capture Of the Metropolis and
of Alexandra, and his predatory warfare on our
coast and then follows, by WAY of contrast, the
paragraph which the Globe has quoted. In this
connection, the omission to mention General
| HARRsoNs name implies want Of respect for
his achievements during the War. He was not
then in the army, and whilst abiding to the
| operations OF that summer, Mr. Madison had no
opportunity of bringing in General Harrisons
/ name.
If the Globe had been actuated by desire to
know "Mr MADsoN's OPINIONS OF GEN. HAIR
RsoYn even without going 10 his letters to
that officer-it might have turned to the Annual
Message, transmitted 9Th Dec, 1913. II would
there have seen how he speaks of the battle OF
the Thames
1.-The success on Lake Erie having opened a
passage 10 the territory of the enemy, the officer
commanding the northwestern army, transfer
red the war thther, and rapidly pursuing the
hostile troops, fleeing with their savage associ-
ates, forced general action which quickly ter
minated in the capture of the British, and dis
person of the savage force.
"This result is signally honorable to Major
General Harrison, by whose military talents il
was prepared TO Colonel Johnson and his
mounted volunteers, whose impetuous onset