Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-06-25
GEN. CASS'S EULOGY IN PARIS

The address delivered by the American
Minister in France, at the meeting of our
countrymcn on the death of Gen. Harrison
which is published in the Boston Courier.
bears the fullest and strongest testimony TO
the virtues and services Of the man, from
long and intimate association while at the
same time he openly avows the contrariety
of their political attachments. We make an
extract or two:
Most you have come here TO manifest vour
regret at the death OF Chief Magistrate. But
have come not only to perform that duty, but
to mourn the loss of private friend. 1t is more
than forty year, since first knew him, and al.
most thirty since was admitted to his friend
ship and confidence. | have served nlder him
Ia VAR and 'r'h him in peace; and never, dur
Ing the .ong interval of our acquaintance, did a
single il -dcat arise, to q lurb, for moment
TIE harmony OF our Intercourse. | can speak
oth.n ,.pn an intimate knowledge of his con-
duet his character and his principles A know
ledge, -'I pa. 81 10 ,he pcrilous scenes Of an ac-
tive H., where the heart OF man is laid open
and whege, with he heavens above us, and the
fore around u.s. concealmcnt would have been
e. ;Hrrac.caOle as it would have been useless
ia 81 DISTINGUISHED, generous, honest, sa-
C-.i.'.. rs comfort 70 that Of others, ccaselcss
ia lis attentions 10 duty, passionately DESTROYS
Of promoting the interests of his country. and
formed by nature to acquire an ascendancv
over those around him. How wonderful are the
viscissitudes of life. Little did he think, little
could have thought, when together we were
exposed 20 the perls and sui1rings Of frontier
war, az. Aon ul.ht and day witnessed his
trials and eXertons, that should t-cr be called
upon, in this metropolis of Euror.a influence
and opinion, to del-nd his pos...mous fame
from the attacks of his own countrymen. But
so it is, and shall discharge the duty. While
he lived, he was himself fully compctent to the
task. 1t did not become any one to push him.
self forward as volunteer, and to clam the pri-
vlege OF appropfiatiug to himself his cause. But
he his beyond the reach of calumny, as lie is
beyond the power Of correcting it. lis friends
may now act, each upon his own responsibility.
His memory is dear to me, and ! eagerly en-
brace the opportunity OF rescuing it from various
charges, which either originated, or were re-
vved and propagated, during the late Presi-
dental canvass. And am the more free to do
this because know the anxiety he felt upon the
subject. lie would have been unworthy of his |
high position had he been Indifferent to it and
through common friend, he communicated to
me the wish that would prepare a narrative of
the battle of the Thames. But the request and
Chef Alagistracy and every generous mind
will understand why could not then give as
free scope to my feelings as now. My narra,ve
was confined TO the facts, which, indeed, when
related as they occurred are sufficient to Justify
the General from all the aspcrsions cast upon
HIM respecting the occurrences ofthe day. But
my feelings and opinions could not freely dis
close. Such course, in our relative situation,
would have been unacceptable TO him, and I'M
worthy OF me- But death has snatched him
from his high place, and do not fear 10 be mis-.
taken, now when propose to give full course
To the dictates of my heart, and to say of him in
the TOM, nat would not say of him in life
During The campaign of 1913, which termin-
ated IN the battle OF the Thames, was attached
TO the forces commanded by General HARRISON.
As Brga dier-Gcneral of the army of the limited
States, having under my command brigade of
regular troops. My position, therefore, brought
me INTO hourly contact with the General, and all
his orders and plans were unreserycdly com. |
inunlcated TO Inc. | Was III a situation to iudpe of
the character of his measures, and to apDreeiate
both the difficulties he had to encounter, and
the resources he displayed in overcoming then.
80 much for my position at that time. And
deem It proper to allude to another cjrcum.
stance. The events of later years had separa.
ted General llar" ION and myself in political life
tho they never affected our private intercourse
We belonged to different parties, and each pur.
sued his public duties agreeably to his own con-
vctons, without suffering these circumstances
to interrupt communications which had grown
up in other times
Exercising the privilege of an American Cit
izen, and adhering to opinions which had long
guided me, had been in the United States az
the last Presidential election, | shouIJ hauo
voted against my General and friend and for his
competitor because | consider the latter more
nearly the representative of most of the political
sentiments | entertain, and have entertained
since first brought into public life by Mr. Jeffer.
- son, almost forty years ago. And Gen. Har
rson knew this. But he was too true to his
feelings, and too just to his principles, to permit
difference OF political opinion, or that fair
course Of action, which is the honest conse.