The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-05
THE POOR MANS FRIEND

The following anecdote of Gen. Harrison, we find
IN the Chlllco,hc, (Ohio) Gazette,
Much as we may value the exercise of wisdom and
foresight IN the statesman aud rich the his
tory Of Gen. Harrison IN examples Of BOTH il is not
IN the possession OF these qualities that are to trace
the Of the deep hold he has upon the affections
OF the people. Throughout his long and eventiul life,
his hand has been oustretched to assist the srck-
with misfortune, aud his heart has ever sympahzcd
with the woes OF bis fellow-men. gentleman of our
acquaintance, some time since, related account
oil an incident that came uoder hs notice, which, though
but Of the thousand examples OF the old Generals
generosity-(as he stated made such an impression
on our mind, that we cannot forbear communicate
to our readers, regretng inability invest il with
the peculiar interest which friends manner of telling
the story gave 1t. lis authenticity one will doubt
who knows informan, his iusrous subject
. was at North Bend last summer, in compliance
with an invitation from Gen Harrison dine with him
While were at the table, servant requested the
General to step the hail. as some person desired to
see him immediately My host excused himself to me-
aud alter lew moments absence returned, usherng il,
man OF about fifty years Of age who bore abou, his
person aud dress the marks Of the squad wretch
edncss "
This man" said Gen HARRISON saws he is one Of
my old soldiers and have invited him to dine with us i"
A place made for the unexpected guest and he
presently applied himself TO The business before him. in
such manner, as TO evidence pretty strongly that he had
not had good dinner for many day. When we were
the table, the related such circumstances TO the
General convinced him that the new conner was really
Of his old soldiers, who had served with him on the
Maumec, and at the Thames lie was a blacksmith by
trade and had been 10 New Orleans on tramp where
he suffered by Sickness and reduced 10 the utmost
pcnury lie had managed to get thus FAR north, by the
charity OF steamboat captains and had taken the oppor-
tunliy which neighborEood afforded him of calling
on his old commander
Alter dinner, the stranger manifested disposition to
depart-when Gen HARRISON, drawing me aside, said
Here is one OF my former companions In arms in
distress, and cannot suffer him to leave my house in
such forlop condition. To tell you the truth can
not be content with merely feeding him--he must be
clothed Were to give him the threadbare Goa, on
my back, he might justly consider it bu, snted charity
have but other, however yet he shall have thai"
So saying, he brought from his wardrobe an elegant
black coat, with other garments TO correspond and
handed them to the stranger
Take these said he, " for the sake of old reco
lecons. Ny friend here will furnish you with the
means OF getting TO Cnclnna and when you get there
cal upon Mr.. -, IN - street, and tell him IL
is my request that be give you employment"
The old soldier left the house. with what feelings
you may imagine but whatever they were, he was too
full TO express them"
This peculiar trait in Gen. Hauisons character, has
undoubtedly been OF the principal causes OF his own
comparative poverty
The Hon John Holmes, of Maine for many years a
United States Senator, in to letter addressed
to HIM public concerns, thus concludes letter:
But my personal acquaintance with General Harrison
! a. \ statesman We members together N The
li9lsc 81 Representatives. ~ the n 5 nom Ell 10
SO, and IN the Senate from 1875 to 1927 inclusive,
aud were on intimate terms.
Gen Harrison is scholar and gentleman--as well
as soldier aud statesman Few men in the United