The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1840-05-23
A CAPITAL SPEECH

The National Intelligencer contains
a part Of an able and spirit-stirring speech
delivered in Congress by the Hon. w. Cost
Johnson, of Maryland, from which we make
the following exiRct:
Will not the whole South unite with the
North and West, and go en- masse for Gen.
Harrison, and rid the country Of the impo-
tent, vicious, and knavish man who nov adj
ministers the Government? Who that did
not vote for him before is not now impressed
with The belief of the misrule which has
Frustrated every interest in the country and
paralyzed every branch of business?
For one, must say that did not vote for
| Gen. Harrison at the last election. | could
not vote for Mr.. Van Buren,; | preferred
either MIR. Clay or Mr.. Webster 1t is also
true that preferred the nomination, at the
Harrisburg Convention, of either Mr.. Clay
or General Scott. 1t is Most true that re-
ioice that neither was nominated, and that
the Convention wisely selected General
Harrison. | had hardly paused, in other
pursuits and with my preferences, TO exam
inc carefully his entire history and charac-
ter infinitely. / have however, examined
and contemplated. both. His life is beau
tiful and instructive study, replete with IN
cidents and marked by wisdom in all its
chequered and varied scenes. 1t should be
familiar to every American parent, and the
companion of every schoolbov.
We find his birth place in Virginia, just
before tho revolutionary war. Born of a
mother who, like the daughter of the Scipio,
could point to her son as her brightest and
most valued jewel; his father standing side
by side with Washington and Henry, and
the great and glorious men who gave lustre
TO that State in the proudest days of her his
tory, and his name recorded on the Declara-
lion of independence. Inheriting the noble
enthusiasm of his parents and the times of
his youth, he goes forth with a commission
from Washington, toscarve his own destiny
in the ranks of danger. Though youthful,
ripe in mind, collected and brave when
danger threatened, kind and gentle in all his
social relations, we see him reaping aurels
with his sword on many hard-fought battle
field The war ended, skilful in civil
council, prompt to act upon the most intri-
cate questions, and his judgement always
controlling his decisions.
Again we see him, in the hour of our coun-
try's perils, throwing aside his civil duties
and its honors, and yet rising in public es-
TEEN, until he is commander-in-chief of the
Northwestern army. Not executing, as
| formerly, perilous dispatches from his GEN.
eral, but leading on 10 victory his gallant
and devoted soldiers; showing, in all his
hard-iought battles, prudent irmness and
daring courage, which inspired his men with
confidence, whilst 1t spread dismay and ter
ror to his enemies, and made him victorious
in all his dreadful engagements. The war
ended, you find him again in civil station, as
prompt and as useful as in the battles front.
As Governor his conduct was faultless and
his abilities appreciated.
In Congress we find him devising a sys-
tenn to divide the public lands in small lots,
so that every poor man could purchase a
home and farm. In the Senate, wise in
council, able in debate-his opinions and adj
vice esteemed by all. As minister, next
to his anxiety for the glory of his own coun-
try, his solicitude was engaged for the pros
perity of the young republics of South
America. What man living has been in so
many stations so variant in their duties; and
what man living could have discharged them
with such consumate ability and Judgment
Who has a mind so well balanced, with SO
many high traits of intellect so well develop
ed? And this eminent man, who has added
so much lustre TO the fame of his country, is
ltraduced and slanlered by every adventur.
4 ing politician of the Van BurenapaFty. &c
on and denounce him, gentlemen, with your
:, yilest epithets. You make his cause the
cause of the People. A man who has the
civic wreath entwined with the martial or
his brow connot be injured by denunciation
i, The unnatural hand is withered that woulC
pluck one sprig from the chaplet won by tht
toll of the soldierand statesman. He is ont
of the People, identified in feeling and in
terest with them, and they with him. The,
, are his defenders and his friends. TIL
: People have themselves brought him fer
: ward WITHOUT HE solicitation, and the PEG
pie will support him; and he stands as deep
> " iInbedded in the affections of the Amer
!. can People as the Allegheny and the Ande
do in their soil. Huri your denunciation
against him like the fitful and wrathful clou
J against the mountains brow, it will fertile
n and keep in perennial freshness the evel
s green on its summit.
it The people have called upon bis name t
n be their candidate for the Presidency, bs
e cause You have abused their confidence, M
) redeemed your pledges; and you have file
N the land with suffering, bankruptcy, an
r distress. You promised them gold whe
n you closed the doors Of the banks, and so
/, have afflicted them with poverty. You hay
E. made the banks suspend, and now you te
a the neoDle that fhav uaust work for as 10