Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-10-15
PobITIC al.
Froin-ihe Cincinnati f0.) Gazette.
GEN. HARRIS0N'S SPEECH
AT THE DAYTON CONVENTION, HELD
fora SEPTEMBER, 1910.


every man Of The immense multitude before him,
addressed the Convention for nearly two hours
! The appearance of the Old Hero hailed BY The
mighty shouts Of thousands FOR seyctul minutcs.
| He looks we'll is in excellent health, and speaks
with a fsryot and animation belonging rather %
youth than to nge. Compared With oiheF rlen
whom tile writer Of this has lately seon and beard
less in years than the General, there is not any
marked difference Of manner matter. Tie fie
Of bis eye is not dimmed by age, has the
strength Of his manly intelIcct suffered in The least
He viii 20 into The Pecsidental Chair veteran in
wisdom and experience, aad he win srasp Tho helm
of State with steads hsaI arl firm resolution,
ready to admiaisteecss e.ie'. Government after
the Peoples will.
GEN. IIABRGsONss SPEECH.
rise, fellow.citizeas- Che multitude was here
| agitated the sea- when the wild wind blows upon
IT, and It was fal FIVE minutes before the tumais Of
Joy seeing and hearing the next Pfesideal Of
United States, could be Gained Il rise, fellow ale
tizens, express you from the bottom Of gfav
! fu heart my warnes LIhanss for the kind and fiat
teging manner 10 which have been received by the
representatives of the valley Of Miami. rise to
say to YOU, that however magnificent my reception
has been on this occasion, am not vain. as to
presume that ii was intended for me, that this go.
rious lfiasnpha entry designed for one indsld'
nai. No. know too we'll that person IS llnpefisc-
lions TO believe, that this vast assemolage has
come up here to do him homer ltis the glorious
cause Of Democratic rights that brought them here!
Immense cheering. Il is the proud anniversary
ct one OF the brightest victories that glows on Tho
pages of our country's history, which bath summo-
ned this multitude together! Tremendous cheer
ing.
Fellow-citizeps, it was about this time Of the day,
twcny-seyen years ago, this very heGrt tbs very
minute, that yen speaker, as Commapdeg-in-chiei
! Of the North estern Army, plunged into an
1 agony Of feeling, when the eannonading from our
| gallant feet announced an action wih the enemy.
His hopes his fears destined TO be soon quiet
ed for the tidings of victory were brought to him
on the wings Of the wist. With the eagle Of til
| umph pelehing upon our banners on the lake,
moved on to complete the overthrow Of the foreign
foe. The anniversary Of that day can never be Tor
gotten, Cor every American has cause to rejoice at
Tie triumph Of our arms on that momentous occa-
sion but the brave and gallant hero OF that victory
is goue--gone to that home whittier We are all hur
rying--and to his memory let US do that reverence
due to the deeds OF so ilustIious patriot From
Heaven does his soul look down upon us, and glad
den ut the virtues which still animate his generous
countryfnen in recurring to his noble and glorious
raj seconds.
/ am fully aware, my fellow-citzens, that sou ex-
pecI from me some opinion upon the various ques-
lions which now agitaIe country, from centre to
circumference with such fierce contentious Cal
umny, ever seeking to destroy nll that is good IN
this world, hath proclaimed hal am ayerse IRON
declaring my opinions on matters 80 Interesting %
You, but nolhipg can be more false. Cheers ]
Have not declared over and often, that The
President Of this Union does not constitute any
pant or portion Of The Legislative hodyf Cries
from ever, qaarter--you have, you have. Have
not said over and alten that the Executive should
not by any act of his oresa the uction Of the Ma
tioual Legislaiure1 You have, you havesl
Have not, time out of mind proclaimed my
opposition to a citizens going forward among he
people and soliciting votes for the Presidency =
Have not many time, and often said THAT, IN my
opinion, no man ought to aspire 10 the Presidency
OF these United States unless be is designated as
candidate for that high office By the unbought wish
cs Of the people1 lCheering ] If the candidate
for SO high an Office be- designated BY the Will OF
portion OF a majority of the people, they VIII have
come TO the discrimination OF susielnng such man,
from a review of his past actions and life, and TREY
viii not exact pledges from him OF what he viii do
ana vlat he viii not do; for their selection Of him
il proof enough that he will carry out the doctrines
OF MS pnrfy. This plan Of choosng a candidate Tor
tie Presidency is a much surcr bar against corrup
ton than the sy stem OF requiring promises. u The
pladgng plan is pursued, the elect will be 70 offer
the Presideniial Chair 10 tho man who viii make
he most PROMISES Laughterl He who would
pledge most, he who would promise most, would be-
the man 10 bs voted for, and | have no hesitation
Ia declaring my belief, hat he who would subject
his course TO be thus tied up by pledges and prom
ses would not stop to break them when once 10 Of
ice. [Cheering Are my views on this topic
correct, or are thcy mott Wih one voice the nui-
tiude Indicated they wereI
IL fellowcitzens, examine the history OF all
Republics, we shall lnd as they receded from The
purify af Representative Government, the condition
81 Obtaining Office was the making Of promises
He who bid The highest in promises was the favor
ed candidate aud tie higher the bids, the more
marked and certain the cofruPtion Look al the
progress of this thing in our own Kepubllc. were
any pledges repaired oi your Washington or your
Adams Adams was the candidate for the Federal
marty and as a stalcsman was bound TO carry out
the principles of his patty. Was his successor,
1hornas Jefferson the high priest Of constitutional
democracy called on for pledges! NO lis whole
life was pledge Of what he would do. And u we
go back to this old system Of selecting men Tor The
Presidency, whose past career shall be a guarantee
Of their conduct when elected 70 the Chief Aiags-
tracy Of The Repablic, the nation would advance
safely rapidly and surely, Ia the path OF prosperity
But OF late years. the eOrfupting system O. repairing
pledges hath been adopted. The Presidency hath
beau put up to the highest bidder in promises, aud
we see lie result. IL remains for you, my fellow
citizens, 10 arrest as course OF things. Cries q
I'VE viii VIII.
While then feilow-cliizens, have never hesta-
ted 10 declare my opinions on proper occasions up
on the great questions before The nation, cannot
consent 10 make mere promises ~ condition Of OBJ
taioing tie office which yon kindly wish TO bestow
apon mo- Aiy opinions am free 20 express, but
vou already have them sustained and supported BY
4 lie acts of 4 long ard arduous life That life i a
pledgo Of my future course, il ana elevated BY your
soiraees 70 the highest Office in your gilt, | La
nense cheering for several seconds
"a has been charged against me, iellow-eitiaens'
M, am a Fedelalst. Wilde l Acknowledge that
lhs original Federal party o. this country wa aela-