Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-06-30
GEN. HARRISON'S SPEECH
At FORT MElGS.

! FELLOW CITIZENS -
am not, upon this occasion, before you, i
accordance with my own individual views an
wishes. II has ever appeared to me, that til
office oi President of the United States Shout
not be sought after by any individual; bu, tia
the people should, spontaneously, and wit
their own free will, accord the distinguish
honor to the man who they believed woul
bcs, perform its important duties. Entertain
ing these views, should, fellow citizens, hav
| remained at hnrns, b". So, dic pressing an
friendly invitation which have received fror
the citizens OF Pcrrysburg. and the earnesines
with which its acceptance was urged upon IN
by friends in whom trusted, and whom al
now proud to see around me. IL, however
fellow citizens, had not complied with tina
i invl,aiion-if had remained at home--bclicv
me, my friends, that my spirit would have bee
with you for where, IN this beautiful land, i
there place calculated, as this is, to recall
long past "reminiscences, and revive long Stun
bering but not wholly eytingushed, emotion.
| in my BOSOM
| In casting my eyes around, fellow citizens
they rest upon the spot where the gallan
Wayne 'riumphed so gloriously over his enc
mics, and carried on, those principles which il
seemed his pleasure to impress upon my MIND
and in which il has ever been my happiness
fphi'iN W httliIt W lliiltdtG saw tut
banner ofthe United States float in triumph
over the flag of the enemy. There it was
where was first laid the foundation of the pros
peri,y of the now wide spread and beautiful
West. II was there | beheld the indignant
Eagle frown upon the British Lion. 1t was
there saw the youth ofour land carry out the
lesson they imhibed from the gallant Wayne,
the noblest and best an American can acquire,
to die for his country when called to do so in
its defence.
At this moment the speakers eye fell up
on Gen. Hedges, when nc said "Gen Hedges
Will yon come up here 7 You have stood by
my side in the hour of battle, and cannot bear
to see yoI at so great distance now" I'm
mense cheering followed this considerate re-
cogniton, and the cries of "raise him up,"
place him by the side of his old general hac.
scarcely been uttered, when Gen. Hedges was
carried forward to the stand
The General continued. 1t was there |
saw inferred my beloved companions
companions of my youth. 1t was not in ac-
cordanca with the stern etiquette of military
lie, then TO mourn their departure but may
now drop tear over their graves. at the rec
objection their virtues and worth.
In 1893, fellow citizens, | received my COM
mission to serve under Gen. Wayne. In 1884
| was his aid at the battle of the Miami. Nine
teen years afterwards, had the honor of a.
gain being associated with many of those who
were my companions in arms then Nineteen
years afterwards, found myself Commander.
in-Chiei of the North Western Army but
found no dimlnution in the bravery ofthe Am
erican soldier. found the same spirit Oval
or IN all-not IN the regular soldier only, but
in the enrolled militia and volunteers also.
What glorious "reminiscences do the view of
all these scenes around me recall to nv mind
When consented to visit this memorable SPOT
expected that thousand pleasant associa-
tons (would to God there were no painful as
socia,ions mingled with them) would be recall
led-that should meet thousands of nv fell
low citizens here-and among them MANY of
my Old companlons-met here to rear a new
anar 10 liberty IN place of the one which bad
men have Frustrated.
Here the General looked around as if for
some water, when the cry was raised. "oive
the General some hard cider" This was
uone, much to the satisfaction of the multi
tude '1''
And, fellow citizens, will not ATTEMPT To
conceal from you, that, in coming here, | ex-
Pec,ed mar | should receive from YOU, those
eFliences OF regard which a generous people
are ever willing To bestow upon those whom
'hey believe To he honest in their endeavors TO
serve their country. receive these evidences
oil regard and esteem as the only reward at all
adeqate TO compensate for the anxiefios and
anguish which, in the past, experienced up-
on tins spo'. Is there any man of sensibiliiy
or possessing feeling of self-respect. who
asks what those feelings welei Do you sup
pose tina, the Commander-in-Chief finds his
reward IN the glitter and splendor OF the campl
OF IN the forced obedience Of the masses
around him These are not pleasures under
all cireumstances-these are not the rewards
which soldier seeks. | ask any man 10
place himself IN my situation, and then saw
whether the extreme pain and anguish which
J ehdufed, and which every person similarly
situated must have endured, can meet with any
adequate compensation, except by such ex-
LESSONS OF the confidence and gratitude of
Tue people, as that which YOU fellow citizens
nave uIis day honured me These feelingS
are common TO all commanders of sense and
sensibihiy. The commanders of Eurone nos
sess 'hem, although placed at the head of ar.
mes reared TO war. How much more n,,ur.
siy would those feelings attach 10 a comman-
Ger situated as ! vast For OF what materials
vas uhe army composed which was placed un-
"e, my command The soldiers who fought
ana Die and iriumphed here were lawyers
VINO had thrown up their breis-physician
VINO lad laid aside their instrumenis-ine-
ehanics who had pat 10y their iools-and, ia
TAR the largest proportions, agnculturis,s, who
had len their ploughs ia the f1rrow, although
their families depended cor their bre al upon
their eSeulons. aud WHO hasiened to the bat
ile-heid TO give their life iasheir country II il
VAS necessary, 10 maintain her nights.
could point from where ! now stand, 10 pla-
ees where iet tbs anxiety pressing heavily
upon me, a ] thought OF The fearful conse-
gnea@-s oi mistake On my part, o. he wan.