The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-25
GENERAL HARRISON IN VIRGINIA..

On approaching fredericksburg his route Ia
Richmond, the PRESIDENT ELEcT WAS received on the
heights, Chatham by a committee OF citizens APP
pointed al meeting held the previous evening and
addressed by the chairman Il u. B4RroN Esq who
IN cordial manner welcomed him to his native
State and rendered TO him the h. spales of the
Mr. BARTON congratulated him that life OF hardship
and long devotion 10 the public service had been at
length recognized and rewarded by bis elevation TO the
highest Office IN the word-the highest because tho
ght OF free People; expressed confidence that he
would discharge the important trusts eonIded TO nm
upon principles dear to Virginia, and alluded with ap
probation To the noble sentiment of Gen. HARRISON,
thai the President Of the United States should belong
70 no party and closed by hoping and believing that
The generous confidence eposed in him by the People
would be realized by the character of his Admins
traion.
Gen, HARRISON responded briefly, but ieelingy
lie alluded To his intimate acquaintance with the
ciety OF fredericksburg in his youthful DAYS spoke
OF hls attachment 10 Virginia. dear him the place
OF his BIRTH the grave of his fathers and the residence
OF his nearest relations declared that he had
cherished thought injurious TO her interests and
that in the administration Of the affairs Of the GOV
eminent, he should be governed by no other consider
atoms than those Of constitutional duty discharged
under high Of responsibility, as the organ of
the nation and not Of party To do this he had not
merely made pledge TO his feow-citizens, but vow
to his God, and should he in the performance Of
this sacred duty would be the fault Of the head and
not of the heart
He was then placed in an elegant barouche drawn
by four houses provided by Mr.. BEcKHsM Stage Pro-
prietor, and escorted into town by large number of
gentlemen on horseback who had assembled for that
purpose.
At Richmond, Gen HARRISON, on Thursday, visit.
ell the Coffee House TO Exchange salutaons with HIS
fellow citizens He was greeted by large crowd,
but SO great was the multitude that it soon became
evident that all could not sngly be introduced TO him
and enjoy the pleasure of hearing him converse II
was therefore proposed that he should address the
crowd in the street.
He nka fxuon with clear and
distinct voice. and in animated strain He referred
to the great cardinal principles of his political creed
and then noticed few of the charges which
had been made against him. He had been called an
aboonist, he said. In one sense as he had told his
friends in Baltimore, he was an aboitonist. He was
in favor of emancipatng the ofhce-holdeIs and re.
storing them to the rights of citizenship lie would
absolve them from the thradom under which they
have been groaning for years He would have them
to speak and 10 up the dictates of theiI con-
science, as he would have all others. lie would break
the bandages which bound them, and set them free
To this extent, and to this extent only, was he an
abolitionist
Whilst uttering these sentiments, his countenance
wore playful smile but suddenly assumed stern
cast, with increased energy of manner and voice
he inquired But how could Vnginan, who sees
in every thing around him the "reminiscences OF his
youth, be aboitionist2 How could Nnginian,
born and bred the lower James river and in house
noted for memorable incidents in revolution
ally struggle, be an abolitionstl How could VT-
glnian, whose sires received many distinguished to-
kens confidence and nj the hands of this viz
tuous old Commonwealth, be abolitionist2 How
could Virginian be SO reveent TO the sacred ashes
of his honorcd ancestors to be an abolitlonist
Could such Vrginian be called an abolitionist by
another Virginian and that other true hearted VT
ginian and sound to the core2 The thing was impos
sble. The bosom could not be free from faint that
harbored such suspicion"
He said he had not given pledges and promises be-
fore the election, because such precedent was calcu
lated TO produce mischief and to confer the Presiden-
cy upon ofpromises instead of men of pertorman
But nowgthat he was more candidate for the
surages Of the People, and could not be affected by
their votes, he had hesitation in declaring what had
been his feelings his steadast devotion to the rights
and interests Of his native State In this connexion
he advered the heavy aebt Of gratitude which had
been imposed upon him by the generous support which
he had received from his adopted State, Ohio, the
young giant Indiana, and noble Kentucky, which had
honored him with citizenship although he had never
lived within her borders. But all this did not efiace
from his mind what due to his venerated mother
When the General concluded, he was urged to go
on J" but he begged TO be excused, believing he could
better promote the wishes Of his friends by going
ed.
The address throughout commanded profound 81
ence and has elected Communications both for us SUD
stance and taste from all who heard 1t.