The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-04
But he was not permitted 10

do this
The Globe, and other unpriDcipled papers Of
its party throughout the land, almost without
exception, commenced their outrageous ISLANDERS
and abuse Of The venerable man. Many we'll
meaning but misinformed men of the late AID
ministration party were induced 10 believe these
oft-reiterated charges, and they, too, joined the
malignant cry. Could any honorable man, who
valued his character,-any soldier, who priced
his professional honorary man Of proper pride
who valued the good opinion Of the country,
which, from boyhood he had faithfully served,
remain quiet, while in every party sheet sent
abroad to the four corners of the land by the Off
Gals Of the Government, and their minions en-
ploy ed here and every where-from every post of
fee, custom house, and land Office in the Union,
were circulated the most unfounded assertions
against his intellectual and moral character, and
his physical ability-charges of coWardice and
want of skill as a soldier, and that he was SO
mbecile in mind and body, as 10 require a
" committee" TO keep him out Of the way of OBJ
seryation2
Gen. Harrison would not, and could not, rest
quietly under this. amy military reputation is
dear to me, and am astonished that they should
be SO base 10 assa it," said the noble old
soldier to US just one year ago, "and cannot
understand how men can be willing 10 assal
and falsify the military history of The country
as they do, 10 reach me-" "These things are 10
be expected, and the degraded source from which
they come should be considered" was remarked
in reply 'sSir," said he :" ] cannot and will not
quietly permit the public to be deceived, and the
honor of the country's arms assailed through
me-"
Gen. Harrison did, for long time, remain at
home quietly, leaving the aroused and generous
American people, who were burning with in
dIgn2lon at their wrongs, and the tyranny and
the deception of their "rulers' continued for
long, long years to fight their own battles and
avenge themselves and their own chosen candl-
date. But at last he was compelled, notwith-
standing he had refused various invitations to do
so, against the wishes Of his friends in Ohio, TO
take the field in his own defence. His first
movement was in June last, when he journeyed
from Cincinnati, some $50 miles, 10 Fort Meigs,
to meet the people, and to show them there,
surrounded by the grass-grown memorials of his
own services, and sufferings, and glories, that
he was not the sdotard,n the smbecile," 90 the
coward" that he was sworn to be by every
Van Buren, paper and almost every ofhce-holder
and demagogue in the country.
We well recoect the felt in this part of
the country and New England, by men who
had begun to fear that there might be some little
truth IN the charges of "imbeclity," SO pertna~
ciously repeated, when they heard that the Gen
eral, stopping but a single night TO rest at CO.
umbus, on his journey, on the following morn
ing, delivered from the steps of the hotel, one Of
the most appropriate, ready, and brilliant i'm
promptu speeches ever uttered.
We next hear of him at Fort Meigs, address
sing upwards of 10000 citizens, and sending
his clear and powerful voice, without effort, 10
the outermost verge of the immense crowd.
And such was the force, and beauty, and eff
feet of his address, and of his venerable appear
ance, that shout after shout resounded along the
valley of the Manifold Miami os the Lakes
which in years gone by, had been crmsoned
with the blood Of freeman and foe-and copious
were the tears that flowed down the manly
cheeks of his hearers. From thence the good
man returnedb by way Of Cleveland (where even
his venerable presence could not restrain these
vipers from insulting him) to his home Here
he was not permitted to rest Committees from
Observation-Disclosures in disguise-visited him,
and with other emissaries from all parts of the
country, opened the subject of "Abolition,''
that they might entangle him in his talk
The wretches, instead of being driven from his
door, were treated with mildness, and quietly
referred 10 his speeches on that subject, and
copies were given them. Nor was this all--bur
we forbear TO continue the painful recital
The People of Ohio well know with what
extraordinary ease he discharged these labors.
aid with what frmness and patience he bore the
unparalleled abuse of his enemies.
Thoss VINO heard him address the $4,000
people al Dayton, and the crowd at Greenvile.
az wooster, and elsewhere will never forget the
thriiiing eioqueace, the wisdom, mildness and
spirh oil his eiior'' OF The excited feeling of the
crowds of honest and i,elligent freemen who
heard him The $4,000 ~aiori,v which was
given him by the citizens Of "a, nob,o s,o,o
against the bitterest opposition C !, do,na.a,a
press, and of the officers of the Stat, III go
eral Government, and the degraded ant Ia.
nant attacks of the two most honorable
6 illustrously obscure" Senators, Tappan ana
Allen, and the prostitution of the Vice Presi-
dent, Johnson who travelled all over the State
in company-the two Senators classifying history
utering falsehood and calumny appealing to the
lowest passions Of the crowd, and then referring
to Col. Johnson for proof of their assertions
and he, poor man, in fear Of his party, endorsing
in his English, all their falsehoods and perver-