The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-05-30

great military leader, and on this issue we
might cal Tor the universal judgement Of
MS country, Acts should speak for them
selves,and most especially military exploits
and the General who requires from his sub
altsrns their written testimonials to prove
the wisdom of his conduct, the fact Of his
presence IN Danger, or the value of his SER
wee 10 MS country, can scarcely aspire TO
the dignity OF hero. Are we mistaken
lnihe TACT that doubts and questions sur
ronnd the military reputation of Gen. Har
r'son! Dld they not exist even in his camp
and among his most brave and efficient of.
heers! Did they not reach the Congress
o. tne United States, and; at time when
inc transactions were recent and the means
Oh otiHi0rnatlon full, induce The Senate to re-
iuse TO him those hon0rs which were unsn-
fmously awarded TO others with whom his
name was associated! Did he no: leave
she military Service Of his country at the
most gloomy periOd of a desperate war,
mus making his own act, and the time cho-
sen Tor AZ, confirmation of these doubls
ana questions! TO General Harrison we
would render strickland impartial Justice, ,and
we PROFOUND these inquiries because the his.
,oty OF Inc times not only suggests them but
furnishes positive and affirmative answer
20 eacn. VIII his friends reply that we are
proving their candidate not to be military
cniettaIn! Be II so. Their consistency in
etaiming Tor him that character az a neri,
aud qualification for the Presidency. Is
nOt tne less apparent, ifthey shall be found
70 ADMIT that tho claim has no foundation in
fact and history.
Beyond this single claim to the support
OF Tree people, as distinctive of the Fed.
erai candidate for the Presidency, we are
unable 70 speak from any ground as vet as
sumed by himself or his friends. In refer.
ence TO his principles, opinions, and acts,
beyond his military chieftainship, there is
All organized silence, as studied as il is sim
guar. The country has been told. as i.
ycuia seem by authority That he is to write
no more ''for. the public eye," until after
The Presidential election, and his supporters
very carefully folIow this example Of ,he;r
selected leader. His public history is GER
ttainiy not'a history OF civic triumphs, nor
nas llie spent in public emplovmens,
mosuy civil, presented him as the author of
measures. or even leading supporter of
the measures of others, essentially connect.
% with the principles Of our Government
OF WIN the interests of our people. We
are compelled, therefore, to dismiss Gener.
al harrison; and, beyond what we have al
ready said, TO follow tie example he has
get and his friends sanctioned, 10 saw poth-
ing. because. as we are forced TO presume
nothing is to be said. We leave hlmlhere.
fore, with his Federalism established he.
yono question. and with his questionable
clslm to military reputation.
once more, we repeat. we are not alarm
ISIS; hut our duty TO the Democracy we are
here to represent. would he ill discharged.
uid we not call their serious attention TO the
desperate efforts which their opponents are
every where making to carry the approach
ing eiecuon' and to gain possession Of the
General Government If they were 10
succeed Ia the accomplishment of their oh
Ject. end thus be enabled to carry into ex
scuiion their schemes OF polcv-those es.
pecrally which relate 10 the management Of
the public finances by the agency of great
moheyed insiitutioa--there IS danger that
our Republican institutions, though they
might preserve their form, would not long
retain their purity, their simplicity. or their
strength. But our confidence in the dis.
elimination and patriotism of the psopIe is
pnshaken;and we eonfdeniuily trust and he.
lieve that ihsy will not only see the coming
danger, but that they will meet il with all
The necessary measures Of precantion.
The history of all Republics is replete
with Instructive lessons to e"erv American
citizen --lessons peculiarly applicable 10 y
Government like ours, formed 6y union of
independent States.
One, and perhaps the most important Of
al these lessons, is the constant danger Of a
foreign influence. exerted through lhs DOW.
er of money. The approaches of this in
husuce have been gradual and impereept.
bic, Until witain the last few years; within
which the progress has been rapid, and the
diffusion almost universal. The ordinary
operations of trade between commercial
countries are reciprocal and salutary. En-.
shling each 70 exchange the commodities
ol which II has a surplus, FOR others which
II wants, the industry, the convenience, and
the comforts OF all are promoied.the wealth
Of all, both individual and national. increas.
ed. healIhful and useful intercourse secur.
ed, and harmony Of feeling produced, with.
pui any necessary sense Of dependence. -
u, however, the reciprocal relations Of trade