The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-04-01
GENERAL HARRISON


Mr. Crary Of Michigan, in speech recently
delivered in the U. S. House of Representa-
tives. thus speaks Of Gen. Harrison.
ANY one who will put himself to the trou-
bic Of reading the official accounts Of the battle
Of Tippecanoe. will see that General Harrisoo
performed no great act Of generalship on that
occasion. From the Generals own confes-
sions, the army was encamped in an exposed
position. affording great facility 10 he ap-
Prodch Of sarages," and at night was complete
ly surprised by the Indians, and only escaped
destruction by the gallantry of the brave Ken
tuckisns. and part Of the old fourth re egiment
from Massachusetts. But will confne my
self TO the official report. that will prove all tina,
has been asserted. 1t will also prove that Gen
eral Harrison was the greatest ego,ist that ever
wrote in the English language. Other generals
have awarded soms merit TO the God Of battles
but no, so with General Harrison"
To General Harrison. belongs the honor
OF encamping an army without breastworks, in
sight OF an Indian town, the inhabitants Of
which HAD MANIFESTED NOTHING BUT HOS
rILITr. Let the honor be his. and let his
political friends write il on all their banners
but the hand writing should be one Of blood
the blood Of one ourth Of a most gallant and
chivalrous army
:" have done. Mr.. Speaker, with the official
account Of the battle of Tippecanoe. ], has
been converted into victory. Let il be so
recorded on the page Of history. But. for the
honor Of the country, let there also be record
ed on the same page, deeds Of moro enduring
fams-not indeed on the part Of :he officers
and soldiers. for they fought like men; but on
the part Of the General, who, without intreneh-
ing his pght eBcanpmept, without the ordn-
AIRY precautiop against surprise, exposed these
gallant spirits TO sacrifice and slaughter.
He thus concuces:
I'm the following spring Gen. Harrison ten
dsred bis resignation as Maj. Gen. ofthe army.
1t was Immediately accepted. and the vac aucy
filled with the name of Major General Andrew
Jackson. have seen it stated. Mr.. Speaker
in late publication Of the friends Of General
Harrison. that this resignation was brought a.
bout by the War Department, from spirit Of
malice and envy. This is n libel upon the
reputation Of an able. but much abused public
servant. The then Secretary of War enter
tanned no i'll will towards the com ma nder Of the
Northwestern army. He probably considered
him an inefficient general, and was glad to sup
ply his place with the name Of him whose
achievements as warrior and civilian have
filled the measure Of his country's glory.
am aware, sir, that my remarks initiate a.
EdinSt nundrcus 9! certlDcates mat nave Decn
produced 10 prove General Harrison an able
commander These certificates are entitled to
consideration. But il is to be recollec,ed that
the great majority of them wero given by Off
GERS over whom the General bad authority.
They are the evidence of witnesses under
duress. and are to be received, and are TO
be received. at least. with caution before
the high tribunal Of the public. il is not
common for generals of dstincton--tbe heroes
of battle -felds-to 60 about the camp to OBJ
tain certificates Of good conduct. At Auster-
litz, and jena and Marengo. Napoleon needed
no such endorsement of his fame nor did
Nelson, at Copenhagen, at Aboukir and at
Trafalgar. 1t was reserved for General Harri-
500 to establish the precedent Of obtaining GER
tifcates from subaltern officers TO prove himself
warrior and hero.
Mr. Speaker, have done with General Har-
rison. He is now the Whig candidate for the
Presidency, and his friends expect to succeed
by inspiring in his behalf military enthusiasm
throughout the country. They are doomed
to disappointment. They may raise the pean
shout in glorification Of their hero, but il will
meet with no response from the hearts Of the
millions.
In the course Of his remarks Mr.. c. referred
TO Official documents in confirmation Of his
statements.