Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-06-08
THE CHAMPION OF THE ADMIMISTRA
TON -DUNCAN'S SPEECH
REVIEW CONTINUED.


TION -DUNCAN'S SPEECH.
REVIEW CONTINUED.
IS Mr.. Claws objections to Military Chieftans,
from 1926 to 1899
These objections are given in copious extracts
from Mr.. CTS speeches, &c. 1t is by no means
certain that the results of Gen. Jackson's admin
isrraon do not attest the wisdom and sagacity OF
Mr.. Clay; but win, thcn? Are the advocates OF
military cheftains from 1895 to 500, now 20 com.
plain Or does h4olIow as matter of necessity,
that those who objected to Gen. Jackson, must al
SO object TO Gen. Harmon? There is n manifest
distinction between the two Gen. Jackson Ind
seen comparatively little of civil service previous to
bis election to the Presidency. On the other hand
for more than thirty years tout of forty in which
he has served his country Harrison was employ
ed in eiui stations 1t has been his exlraorlinu.
ry fortune ia I've ranked with Washington, and the
very few Of other great men, who were brilliant
brave, ind successful in The field, and prudent
wise and patriotic in civil ic lie has exhibited
the noble qualities Of the General, tcitou tie Gul
which 100 frequently grow out of the long cxer.
cise Of military command, and trik the virtues
which adcrn the statesman
H. Gen. Harrison'iualns wa' stricken from the
resolution of Congress, giving thanks and med
nj for services in the last war.
So it was--on motion ofAbner Lacock of Penn
sylvana, the very man who denounced Cen Jack.
son transactions in the Seminole ,rar, g. for which
the Old General swore, by his usual oath, that he
would "eut of Lacock's cers" and what is more,
i-rr:,son's name was s,ru.l: out 10y the votes of
old Jederalis!S in the Senate, such rs Gore of
Massachusetts, Rufus King and Thompson OF
New York, and Mason Of New Hampshire. This
vote was taken in Committee of the whole of the
SENATE. j. TO 10, aud afterwards the Senate it.
SELF by larger vote, refused 10 agree to his
amendment made in the committee. So, then.
even at this lime the resolution could have been
passed, against the whole array of federal Sena-
tors; but Gen. Harrison and his friends would moi,
have 1t so he demanded IN investigation Of his
conduct--it was had; then, MS now, the base false.
hoods of personal enemies, and of The enemies Of,
The country. were triumphaptly refutcd. The
charges against, Gen. Harrison having been refer
red TO committee for examination, Col RICHARD
NJ. JOHNSON, CNice President now,) as chairman
Of the Committee, made the following report:
House Of Representatives, January %, 1877.
ne select committee Of the House of Repre :
sehun'"es 10 whom were referred the letter and
documents from the Acting Secretary of War, ON
Tie subject OF Gen. iIarriSons letter ask leave TO
report: That they have investigated ,h. focts in
vowed IN tins inquiry by the examination of doc
utnenls and great number of most respeclublc
witnesses, personally acquainted with the ;ransac-
uons from winch the inquiry originated. And
tne committee are unanimou,ly OF opinion that
uen' HARRISON stands above suspcion. As 10 his
having had amy pecuniary or improper connection
i'' VIC o"'er' oi liie commlssariat for the sup
ply OF the army thai he did iI0t wonlonly or i'm.
properly Interfere with the rights of copiractors
ana mat he was, in his measures, governed by
proper zeal and devotion to the public interest.
The committee beg leave to be DISCHARGED
from The further consideration ofihe subject md
as The papers refer in part conduct ard trans
actions OF the contractors of the Northwestern,
army, whose accounts are unsettled, and only in
cidentay involved in this inquiry, thai The psnrr
he transmitted to The Department of War;
MI HnrlbuFt,a mem Der OF tho committee, said
"Tbe committee, he said, considered the suh
Iect an important one. IL was Interesting to IN,
fubiic. The character Of Gen. Harrison had beei
impeached. They therefore determined "a MAX,
the investigation rs full and thorough ms sboud h,
~ Their power With such views and sentiments
,hey entered upen the inquiry. They had Motif
st U"n VINO nal made clarges in writing
against The General, md requested his attendancs
upon The committee, and he had mare lJan ono.
attended. 1hey ha,l read and Considered alj ill.,
documents aud papers which they could ah,a'
and which they thought calculated TO throw ia
on the inquiry, md had examined naly resnsn
table witnesses, and the investigation had resl,ed
IN firm belief, and unanimous opinion of ia,
COMMITTED, that the insinudiions and cam lains iVhtc
had been made against Gen Harrison, and whicI
1sre me foundation ofhis application 10 Congress
1re Hnmvdsd, groundiess, and unjust.
Mr.. Hurberl said il gave him 1leasurs m ,,sl,
these DECLARATIONS He considered himself Join,
al act OF justice 10 an injured individual. He sail
no must acknowledge tha. he had entertained inn :
prsssfons very ryarord6le 10 the General III,
complaints which had been made against hin, bnr
spread far and wide. The bane and antdote had
not gone together He rejoiced THAI ;his inauir,
had been made. and he had no hesitation ia say
ing, that so far as the report Of the cOmmitte,
should defend, before the Public, the conduct ana
character Of Gen. Harrison, II would promote The
cause oftruth ana justice.
"The most serious accusation against the Gen
sral was, that while he was Commander in Chisl
In the West, regardless Of his country, s good, he
was in tho habit of managing the public concerns
with view to his own private interest and einol
ument. Mr. liurlbeyt said he could not refrain
from pronouncing this false and cruel ACCUSE
ton. He was confident thai directly the reverse
was true.
"H'here was the most satisfactory evidence that
the General in the exercise Of bis oficiol duties,