Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-06-04

J
from the other. He who, by an honest
and judicious application of natural endow-
ments, undismayed in4repiday and unbend
ing .orlitude, has risen superior to the de-
pressions Of an early adverse fortune, and
surmounted the manifold obstacles with
which poverty obstiucts the avenues to
fame and wealth, has the merit of doing
what it seldom falls to the lot OF individ-
uals to effect, and which none but men of
extraordinary genius can accomplish: but
the sons of rank aud opulence, are also,
by the very conditions Of their birth, ex-
posed 10 difficulties, and beset by obstruc-
tons. which though Of a very different
kind are no less hard 10 be surrounded -
AT the call of generous ambition, or the
solicitation of virtuous desire TO be USE
full in ones generation, to break from the
bewitching embraces of luxury, sccommo-
dation and ease, and spring into the cold
and rugged arms of hardship, danger, and
privation, is an act of heroism which,
though it should not evince more genius or
animal vaour, certainly displays a more
refined sentimental courage, and is stron-
ger proof OF an exalted sense of honour,
and oflively moral excellence, than any
exertions, however splendid or successful,
made under the impulse of stern necess-
ty, and with conviction OIL the part Of him
who makes them, that any change they can
effect, may render his situation better, but
cannot, by possibility make it worse than it
was before.
To the value OF splendid and useful a.
chievements the adventurous circumstances
of opulence and birth can add nothing,
nor can they detract from them. The mil
itary glory of a Wellesley can receive no
augmentation from his ancient and illus
trious pedigree; but as moral agent, his
character derives infinite lustre from his
having, by his own early choice. torn him.
self from the "thrice driven bed of down"
in which he had been nurtured, and beta
ken himselfto "the steel and finty couch
of war;" when he might have lived at home
in ease and sloth, and in, what vulgar souls
call, dignity.
To the catalogue of,hose who have dis
tinguished themselves by an early victory
over sloth, sensuaity and ease, and by
magnanimous oblation of life and personal
services at the shrine of patriotism and
military glory, it becomes our pleasing
task to add the conqueror of Tippecanoe
and the hero of the Thames.
Major general William Henry Harrison
is descended from one of the oldest and
most respectable families of gentlemen in
Virginia. Through the earliest records
of the colonies, the name of Harrison may
be traced in the order of office; but our
particular information respecting it goes
no farther back than the great grandfather
OF our present subject, though he died
young, filled the chair of the house of dele
gates of that province. His son too, the
grandfather of our William Henry, was a
man of considerable wealth, and of vast
influence in the colonies; and at his death
left several sons; of whom some held con-
siderable rank afterwards. not only in the
Legislative assembly of the state, but in the
provincial army during the Revolutionary
war. Benjamin the eldest of those and the
father Of our hero, rendered himself partic-
ularly conspicuous by his prompt adoption
OF the cause of the colonies in defiance of
the suggestion of self-interest, which, at
that period, would have dictated an
adherence to the cause of the mother
country. His possessions in the country
were large, his personal influence was ex-
tensive and commanding. and the consid-
Grafton in which he was held by The royal
government was of a nature to secure to him
every advantage he could reasonably hope
to derive from the favour Of the crown.
lnsenslble, however, to every personal So
lictaton, he, on the first breaking out of
the revolutionary troubles, without hesita-
tion or delay, formed the generous resou-
ton to cling to the cause of his country
in defence of rights and independence, to
put his property, his life, and all his hopes
on the hazard of the die, nay, if it should
be necessary, to lay them all down as
sacrifice in the struggle--and in a word,
to rise or fall with the fortunes of America.
Zeal so very disinterested naturally inspir-
ed the people with confidence in his fideli-
ty, while Of his talents he had already Civ
en- such ample proofs, as eyinced his
qualifications for Offices of highest trust
he was therefore elected by his countrynen
to represent the state of Virginia in the
continental congress during the successive
sessions of l774, l775, and l776-and in
The year TIT, declining reelection to
Congress, was chosen speaker of the lower
branch Of the state legislature, in which
office he continued TO act ill the year
1882, when he was appointed governor oil
IN nc raon Of governor Nelson
who Rad resigned In All .hese dien,Sed
stations hle conduct vas go DECIDED and
beneficial 10 the country. and bo ., n,o..,