The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-13

f,oeet at every corner, that no man in the coSn-
try improves 50 much ON q more intimate ac-
quaintance. 1t is not the usual boast of great
men, but the more that is seen and known of
Gen. Harrison the more he wins upon the affec-
tons of the people. Read the pure, elevated,
patriotic and classic language of the old chef,
and compare it with the rant of Benton, the cant
of Kendall, or the cunning of Van Buren,, and
how Unreasonable is the space between them
This letter is indeed good one.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
A GOOD THING.
Gen Harrison was among the invited guests
to the dinner given to Gen. Van Rensselaer,, in
this city, on the second instant. He could not be
present, for reasons assigned. The following is
his letter, declining the invitation. 1t richly de-
serves the caption we have given to this para
graph. 1t is one of those coed things which fire.
quently fall from the pens of American statesmen,
and from none moro often than General Harri-
sons. Good taste will relish, and correct judg-
ments approve it.
NORTH BEND, LIST July, 1910.
GENTLEMEN:-A recent domestic affliction in
the death of ono of my sons, and the present i'll
ness of Mrs. Harrison, will prevent me from en-
loying the great pleasure OF being present at the
Gunner TO De gwen on Il nurSuaY neAls 10 my De-
loved friend and old associate in arms, General
Solomon Van Rensselaer,. 1t is now forty-seven
years since first met this distinguished soldier
in the army of General Wayne-he, in the ca
pacity of Cornet of Dragons, and | as an En-
sign of Infantry. Associated in all the tolls and
difficulties incident to war, the theatre of which
was an unbroken wilderness; of ages nearly cor
respondent; and ofdispostions and tastes which
induced us to seek the same employments, the
same amusements, and the same fellowships, our
friendship thus formed by prepossession and knit
in common danger, could not be ephemeral. 1t
was such indeed as though we had owned the
same paternity, and had been nurtured at the
same bosom. And may say with Castalio of
his brother,
'When had a friend that was not Podore's,
"Or Polidore foe that was not ine?'
| will not attempt, gentlemen, to give you even
a summary of the services of Gen. Van Rensse-
lear. ] will not tell you of the deep debt of gra-
titude which is due TO hiLc &c. " ester men
Of his gallant bearing in the battle s the Rapids,
of the Miami, and the blood which l saw pour
ing from his manly bosom upon the soil of Ohio,
or his still more glorious achievements upon the
heights of Queenstown, ennobled, like those of
Abraham, by the blood of the contending heroes.
All this you know. 1t is to be found in the re-
cords of your country, and furnishes some
of the brightest pages of its history Aye, what
is he now? What and who is the hero of two
wars, the conquerer of the heroic Brock, of him
by whose management, whose gallantry, so
deep wound had been inflicted upon the mill
tary character Of our country?
A year ago | would have answered YOU. fell
low-citzens, that he was living in humble retire
ment, in the bosom of large and happy family,
supported by the emoluments of anhumble office,
the gift of President who had himself leopardis-
ed his life, and shed his blood in achieving the
Independence of his country, and knew how to
appreciate Hero's services, and reward a sol
dier's tolls. Such, gentlemen, was the situation
of my friend, the defender of Ohio Cabins from
the furious savage, the bearer in Rhis body of the
marks of seven distinct wounds, when the
spoilers came.
When the disbanded legions of Augustus were
suffered to eject the happy husbandman of The
fairest portion of Italy, we have reason to be-
lieve, we know indeed that some were spared The
ruthless warrior was not suffered to usurp the
seat and violate the groves which had resounded
to the songs OF the greatest of poets. We may
conclude also, that the SCARED veterans of for
mer wars were exempted from the otherwise
general prescription Indeed, we must Suppose
that the sympathy naturally felt between men of
the same profession, would have induced the
| usurpers to spare the war-yyorn followers of the
! great PenPey, although they had been the SOL
diers OF Liberty, and the sworn enemies of their
own faction But, gentlemen, let me ask you
now to point to an exception in the prescription
which has ragged in our country for the last
twelve years Who has been spared that pro-
fessed any thing which could tempt the cupidity |
of the spoilers? My friend is the last victim |
The reason of this honorable distinction could |
tell. 1t is somewhat different from that which |
induced the giant Polyphemus to intend the like |
honor to the king of Ithica. But you may per
haPs be anxious to know the reason which has |
been assigned for this outrage upon the feelings
Of the American people. Why, it was precisely
that which has been given in all ages and in all
countries for all the violent and unjust acts Of
tyrants "The public good" IL this case, s'the
advantage of the democracy In the midst Of
such denominations, how appropriate is the ex-
clamation OF one of the distinguished victims OF
the savage Robespiere, sE0h democracy. how
many crimes committed in thy name y
1t may be proper, gentlemen, that should add
that Gen. Van Rensselaer, has accounted for eve
nv cent OF public money that ever came into his
hands, and that he dares the strictest investiga-
ton into his conduct as an officer. What cause
Of deep reflection, gentlemen, does the case of
my friend, contrasted with that of others known
to be public defaulters, who have been retained
in Office, present to the patriot and the friend of
Republican government.
conclude, gentlemen, by offering you senti-
ment: "May Solomon Van Rensselaer, be the
last victim in our country of party violence; and
may the services which are to be the future pass
ports to Office, be not those rendered to a party.
bat to the whole people.
am, gentlemen, with great respect,
Your humble servant
W. H. HARRISON