Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-07-23
From The Cincinnati Gazette.
A GOOD THING.

guests to the dinner given to Gen. Van Rcns-
selaer, In this city, on the second instant. He
could not be present, for reasons assigned.
The following is his letter, declining the in
vitation. trichly deserves the caption we
have given to this paragraph. 1t is one of
those good things which frequently fall from
thepen of American statesmen, and from none 4
more often than Gen. Harrison's. Good taste
VIII relish, and correct judgment approve it.
NORTH BEND, July LIST. 1910.
Gentlemen A recent domestic affection
in the death of one of my sons, and the pres
ent illness Of Mrs. Harrison, will prevent NE
from enjoying the great pleasure ofbeng pre-
sent at the dinner to be given on Thursday
next, to my beloved friend and old associate
in arms, General Solomon Van Rensselaer,
1t is now AZ years since firstmet this distn-
gulshed soldier in the army of Gen. Wayne
he, in the capacity of Comet of Dragons,
and as an Ensign Of Infantry. Associated
in all the tolls and difficulties incident to a
war, the theatre Of which was an unbrokcn
wilderness, ofages nearly correspondent, and
OF dispositions and tastes which induced us
to seek the same employments, the same a
musements, and the same fellowships, our
friendship thus formed by preposscssion, and
Knit In common danger, could not be ephem-
eral. twas such indeed as though we had
owned the same paternity, and had been nur-
| tnred at the same bosom. And NAV saw
with Castalio fhis brother,
"When had | friend that was not Polidore's,
"or Polidore foe that was not mine?''
L will not attempt, gentlemen, to give YOU
even summary OF the services of Gen. Van
RENSSELAER,. j will not tell YOU of the deem
debt OF gratitude which is due to him from
western men-of his gallant bearing in the
battle of the Rapids OF the Miami, and the
blood which saw pouring from his manly
bosom upon the soil of Ohio, or his still more
glorious achievements upon the heights of
Queenstown, ennobled, like those of Abra-
man, nan by the blood OF the contending heroes.
All this you know. 1t is to be found i'm the,
records of your country, and furnishes some
otthe brightest pages of its history. Aye,
what is he now? What and who is the he
70 OF two wars, the conqueror of the heroic
Brock, of him by whose management, or
whose gallantry, so deep wound had been
inflicted upon the military character of cur
country.
Ayear ago, would have answered YOU.
leiiow-cltizens, that he was living in humble
retirement, In the bosom of large and happv
family, supported by the emoluments OF an
humble Office, the gift ola President who had
himself Jeoparded his life, and shed his blood
In achieving the independence ofhis country,
ana knew how toappreciate Hero's services
and reward a soldiers tolls. Such, GENTLE
men, was the situation of my friend. the de-
tender OF Ohio Cabins from the furious sayape-
the bearer In his body of the marks of seven
dlstnct wounds-whcn the spoilers came
When the disbanded legions of Augustus
were suffered to eject the happy husbandmen
OF the fairest portion of Italy, we have reason
to believe, we know indeed, that some We're
spared. The ruthless warrior was notsufler
ed to usurp the seat and violate the groves
Which had resounded to the songs of the GREAT
est of poets. We may conclude also, that the
SCARED veterans of former wars were exempted
from the otherwise general prescription. In
deed we must suppose that the sympathy nat :
uraily felt between men Of the same profess
sion, would have induced the usurpers to
spare the warworn followers of the great
Pompey, although they had been the soldiers
OF liberty, and the sworn enemies of their
own faction. But, gentlemen, let me ask
you now to point to an exception in the pro-
scrptlon which has ragged in our country
tor the last twelve years Who has been
spared that protested any thing which could
tempt the cupidity of the spoilers My
friend is the last victim. The reason Of this
honorable distinction could tell. 1t is some
what different from that which induced the
giant Polyphemus to intend the like honor
to the king of lthica Buty may perhaps
be anxious to know the reason which has
been assigned for this outrage upon the feel
lngs of the American people. Why, it was
precisely that which has been given in ali d.
ges and in all countries for all the violent and
unjust acts of tyrants: ''The public good.''
In this case, ''the advantage of the democra-
cy." In the midst of such denominations.
how appropriate is the exclamation of one of
the distinguished victims Of the savage Rob-
espierre, ooh! Democracy, how many crimes
are committed in thy name!''
1t may be proper, gentlemen, thatI should
add that Gen. Van Rensselaer, has accounted
for every cent ofpublic money that ever came
into his hands, and that he dares the strictest
investigation into his conduct as an officer.
What cause of deep reflection, gentlemen,
does the case ofmy friend, contrasted with
that OF others known to be public defaulters,
who have been retained in Office, present to
the patriot and the friend of Republic gov
eminent.
conclude, gentlemen, by Offering YOU
sentiment: May Solomon Van Rensselaer, be
the last victim in our country of party vio-
lence; and may the services which are to be
the future passports TO office, be not those rem.
dered to party, but to the whole people.
am gentlemen, with great respect,
Iour humble serv't.,
w. III. HARRISON.
10 Sam'i w Da1icc otto