The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-14

ing Is his letter, declining the invitation IT
richly deserves the caption we have given to
this paragraph. Ii is one of those good things
which frequently fall from the pens Of Ameri-
can statesmen, and from none more than Gene
raj Harrison. Good taste will relish, and correct
judgment approve il.
NORTH BEND, 1st July, 1910
GENTLEMEN A recent domestic affection in
the death OF one Of my sons, and the present
illness Of Mrs. Harrison, will prevent me from
enjoying the great pleasure of being present at
the dinner to be given on Thursday next, to my
beloved friend and old associate in arms, Gene
raj Solomon Van Rensselaer,. Ii is now forty
seven years since first met this distinguished
soldier in the army of General Wayne-he, in the
capacity of Cornet of Dragons, and as En-
sign of Infantry. Associated in all the tolls and
difficulties incident To a war, the theatre of
| which was an unbroken wilderness of ages
nearly correspondent; and Of dispositions and
tastes which induced US TO seek the same EN-
| Payments, the same amusemcnts, and the same
! ellowshps, our friendship thus formed by pre-
possession and knit IN common danger, could
not be ephemeral. 1t was such indeed as though
we had owned the same paternity, and had been
nurlured at the same bosom. And | may say
with Castalio of his brother,
when had friend that was no, Polidore's
/ "Or Polidore foe that was not mine r.
| | viii not attempt, gentlemen to give you
even a summary OF the services of Gen. Van
Rensselaer,. | will not tell you Of the deep 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 achieve
ments upon the heights Of Queenstown emo
bled, like those of Abraham, by the blood of
the contending heroes. All this you know 1t
is TO be found in the records of your country,
and furnishes some of the brightest pages of its
history. Ay, what is heno What and who
is the hero of two wars, the conqueror of the
heroic Brock, of him by whose management, or
whose galaniry, SO deep wound had been in
tllcted upon the military character of our country2
A year ago | would have answered YOU fell
low-ctizens, that he was living in humble re-
tirement in the bosom Of large and happy
family, supported by the emoluments Of an hum
bic Office, the gift of President who had him
self jeoparded his life, and shed his blood in
achieving the independence of his country, and
knew how to appreciate Hero's services, and
reward soldiers tolls. Such gentlemen, was
the situation of my friend, the defender of Ohio
/ Cabins from the furious savage, the bearer in
his body of the marks of seven distinct wounds,
when the spoilers came.
When the disbanded legons of Augustus were
suffered to eject the happy husbandmen of the
leve, we know indeed, that some were spared.
The ruthless warrior was not suffered TO usurp
| the seat and violate the groves which had re-
sounded to the songs of the greatest OF poets. W.
may conclude, also, that the SCARED veterans OF
| former wars were exempted from the otherwise
general prescription. Indeed, we must suppose
that the sympathy naturally felt between men
of the same profession would have induced the
uSurpers to spare the war-worn followers Of the
| great Pompey, although they had been the sol
ders of liberty, and the sworn enemies of their
own faction. But, gentlemen, let me ask you
now To point TO an exception in the prescription
which has ragged in country for the last
twelve years? Who has been spared that pro-
! fessed any thing which could tempt the cupdty
Of the spoilers? My friend is the last victim.
| The reason of this honorable distinction could
tell II IS somewhat different from that which
induced the giant Polyphemus TO intend the like
honor to the king of lthica. But you may per-
haps be anxious to know the reason which has
been assigned for this outrage upon the feelings
of The American people. Why, It was precisely
that which has been given in all ages and in all
countries for all the violent and unjust acts Of
yrants: "The public good" In this case,
" the advantage of the democracy" In the
midst OF such denominations, how appropriate
| is the exclamation of one of the distinguished
victims Of the savage Robespiere, :" oh demo
cracy, how many crimes are committed in thy
| name "
II may be proper, gentlemen, that ! should
add that Gen. Van Rensselaer, has accounted for
every cent Of public money that ever came into
| his hands and that he darcs the strctest inves-
tgaion into his conduct as an officer. What
cause of deep reflection, gentlemen, does the
case Of my 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 republican government.
| | conclude, gentlemen, by offering you sen
tmont: " May Solomon Van Rensselaer, be the
last victim in our country of party violence, and
may the services which are to be- the future pass
ports 10 office, be not those rendered to party,
but to the whole people"
am, gentlemen with great respect,
| Your humble servant
w. II. HARRISON
| IN S AAtnl1. W nArIrs nic