The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-02-13

]. ~ y
FEBRUARY Is, 1910.
Of General Harrison, that no man.
however great, wise and good, should
be reelected President Of these u.
States. To the prevalence Of the op.
posite opinion, he ascribes most Of
the corruptions and strife which have
agitated and disgraced the nation, and
| add, that if elected, he will enter on
the duties of the office, having no
grlcfs to avenge, and no obligations
to fulfil in relation to individuals.
And now, sir, what more can | add
have attempted to throw a ray of
light on the almost forgotten life of
one of the most, useful, virtuous and
patriotic citizens our country has ev-
er produced. From an intimate and
confidential acquaintance with him,
of more than forty years standing,
can speak &c cathedra. The single
fact, that after he has held these Of
fees with abundant opportunities Of
accommodating wealth, at the expense
of his country, he has retired to pri-
vate life comparatively poor, is en-
ough to place him on level with Ar
istides. .
Had he nothing more to complain
of but the blighting negligence Of his
own Government, which has COM
PEELED him Cincinnatus like, to labour
at the plough for the bread which
feeds his family, it might be endured.
But, sir, it is not SO: malice has assail-
ed his character, and thousands who
know him not, have innocently yield
ed to it their assent. An attempt to
|refute charges against his bravery
would be as insulting to him, as it
would be ridiculous in the, eyes of the
world. Insinuations have been made
injurious to his moral character; those
who know him personally, smile at
the folly of such efforts; and let me
say to all others, that a man of purer
moral character does not inhabit our
land. When every thing else fails,
they proclaim at the top of their voic-
es that he is an imbecile old man. Sir,
| had the pleasure Of taking him by
the hand the morning | left home;
scarcely a week passes in which 1 do
not see him and converse with him,
and let me assure you and this assem-
bly,, aad the American people, that
his mind is as vigorous, as active and
as discriminating, as it was in the
meridian of his days; that he enjoys
fine health and all the bodily vigoul
and activity which belong to man
Of Is or &c.
Now, sir, let me attempt to give
utterance to the. ecstacy of JOY ane
delight which the transactions of Thu
day have produced on my own mind
In common with all my associates ii
this imposing assembly. | feel that ou
country is redeemed and saved. Tn,
sounds of unity and concord which
strike the ear from evey seat in thi
sacred temple-the united declaration
Of entire acquiescence in the resul
Of our deliberations enthusiastic
pledges, rendered by every membe
Of this august body, to devote him
self heart and hand to sustain the dis
tinguished individuals we are abou
to present to the people as the men 0
our unanimous choice-the expires
sion of Joy on the faces of SO many
aged and venerated patriots, who
having finished their course in pub
lie life-who have long since crossed
the meridian, are on their downward
course, and will soon pass the hori
zon, to be seen here no more:i 1 say
sir, to hear such men testify their feel
ings Of appreciation, pledge their zeal
Gus efforts to advance the cause ant
proclaim their confidence in it's trium
plant success, produces sensation
which cannot be described. To hea
the shouts of approbation-the enthu
siastic promises of exertion, and thu
confident predictions of victory from
the young and vigorous portion 0
this body, is enough to inspire thu
most confirmed stole. In short, the
entire manifestations of this day, Sc
exciting, SO cheering, have produced
a general ecstacy Of delight, Of which
1 those who have not witnessed thu
scene, and felt the threatened DANCE
) Of disagreement in this body, as W.
: have done can form no conception
: For one, must say, that although
am near the termination of the proph
etc number of days allotted for tn,
! life Of man, | have never, in that Ion!
period witnessed such an imposin!
spectacle. | am almost ready to re
!, peat and apply to myself the pious ex
!. clamation Of the good old Simeon.
! Mr. President, is not this enough
T.