Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-07-10
GEN. HARRIsoNs SPEECH
AT FORT MEIGS. JUNE IL. 1910.

am nob upon TINS occasion, before you,
In accordance with my own individual views
or wishes. 1t has ever appeared to me,
that the Office Of President of the United
States should not-be sought after By any in
diyidual; but that people should, sponlane-
ously,& with their own free will, accord the
distinguished honor to the man who thew be-
lieved would best perform its importantduties.
Entertaining these views, should, fellow
citizens, have remained at home but ior the
pressing and friendly invitution which
have received from the citizens oil Perrys.
burgh, and the earEestness with which its
acceptation was urged upon me by friends
in whom trusted, and whom | am now
proud to see around me. If, however, fel.
fow-cititzens, | had not complied with
that invitation-if had remained at home
believe ME my friends, that my spirit would
have been with you; for where in this beau
tiful land is there place calculated, as
this is, to resal long past "reminiscences, and
revive long slumbering, but not wholly ex-
Gnguished, emotions. in my bosom?
10 casting my eyes around fellow citizens.
they rest upon the spot where the gallant
WAYNE triumphed so gloriously over his
enemies, and carried out those principles
which it seemed his pleasure 10 impress up.
on my mind, and in which it has ever been
my happiness humbly to a,temp, TO initiate
him.. 1t was there. fellow.cl,izens, saw
the banner of the United States float in iri.
umph over the flag of the enemy. There
it was where was first laid the foundation
OF the prosperity Of the now widespread and
beautiful West. Ii was there beheld the
indignant Eagle frown upon the British
Lion. 1t was there saw The youth of our
lana carry out the lesson they imbibed from
the gallant WAYNE-the nobest aud bes,
an American can acquire--to die for bis
country when called TO do so in its defence
LAT this moment the speakers eye fell
upon Gen. HEDoEs, when he said; Gen
HEDGES, will you come up here? You
have stood by my side in the hour of battle
and L can not bear to see you at so great
distance now" Immense cheering followed
this considerate recognition, and the cries
of "raise him up" "place him by the side
of his old General" had scarcely been Ut
tered. when Gen. HEDGES was carried for
ward to the slandl
The General continued. It was there |
saw inferred my beloved companions the
companions Of my youth. 1t was not in ac-
life, then TO mourn their departure; but ]
may now drop tear over their graves, al
the recollection of their virtues and worth.
In 1898, fellow-citizens, received my
commission to serve under Gen. WAYNE.
In 1894. was his aid at the battle Of the
Miami. Nineteen years afterwards. had
the honor OF again being associated with many
of those who were my companions in arms
then. Nineteen years afterwards, l found
myself Commander-inC Chief Of the North
Western Army but found no diminution
in the bravery of the American soldier.
found the same spirit of valor in ali--not in
the regular soldier only. but in the enrolled
militia and volunteer, ALSO
What glorious "reminiscences do the view
OF all these scenes around me recall to my
mind When consented to visit this me-
morable spot, l expected that thousand
pleasant associations (would TO God there
were no painful associations mingled with
them) would be recalled-that | should
meet thousands ofmy fellow citizens here
and among them many of my old compan'
ions--mei 10 real new altar TO liberty IN
place Of the one which bad men have pros
irated.
There the General looked around as j
for some water, when the cry was raised
"give the General some hard cider" Thl;
was done. much to the satisfaction OF the
mutilude.l
And. fel,ow-citizens. CONTINUED the Gen
eral,) will not attempt to conceal from you
that in coming here expected that | shoul'
receive from you, those evidences OF regart
which generous people are ever willing
10 bestow upon those whom they believe
10 be honest in their endeavors to serve lhei
country. receive these evidences OF regart
and esteem as the only reward at all adequate
10 compensate for the anxielies and august
which in the past, Experienced upon thi
spot Is there any man Of sensbilily o
possessing feeling OF self-respect. who ask
what those feelings were2 Do you sup
pose that the Commander-in Chief find hi
reward in the glitter and splendor Of tn
campI2or in the forced obedience Of the mas
SEES around him2 These are not pleasure
under oil OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are not re
wards which soldier seeks. ask an,
man TO place himself in my situation. AM
then say whether the extreme pain and an
guish which l endured, and which ever,
person similarly situated must have endured
can meet with any adequate compen
sation. except by such expressions O
the confidence and gratitude of tn
people, as that with which you. fellow-citi
Eens. have this day honored me2 Thes
feelings are common to all commanders O