Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-06-28
From tic Boston Courier.
GEN. CASS;S ADDRESS
On TIE DEArn OF PRESIDENT IlARhIsoN

On THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT HARRISON.
We arc assembled, my countrymen, under mel
anchoy and impressive circumstances. Our
country has lost its CT lief magistrate, mau esim
able in al lhe relations Of life, n citizen who had
won his way to the highest distinction, 10y long and
honorable services sol tier whose iriumphs on
the field of battle had defended and redeemed our
frontier aud which will ever reflect luslre upon
our military history; and a President, who had
lust been called by tho voice of his couutryincn
10 the first elective office in the world. lie has
been suddenly arrested 10y the hand Ofdeath at the
very threshold Of his high career. From tie gov
ernment of great nation, he has been carried TO
That last resting place, where human greatness is
laid low, and where human distinctions ynnlsh
aud his immortal spirit has been summoned Ia
that tribunal, where rulers ana people must alt
quick appear. Rarely, in the Providence of
God, is such mn example of the m,riabiIity Of lie
presented to the observer. Painful as il is it may
vet he profitable teaching It's the instability Of u-
man events, aud that in the disponsn,on of Al
mighty Wisdom, The highest hopes Of nations, MS
of individuals, may be promptly followed hy the
kCenes, disappointment.
We have met, MS American citizens. Strangers
in foreign lind, TO testify Our deep affection Cor
ilic institutions of our country, and 10 mourn her
bereavement Surrounded by inonarchiAl aud he
reditary institutions, we seizG the Opportunity Of
evinejng that our free and equal system Of gov
erutnent, social and political, is rooted in our
for ANY event which afllicls our beloved country.
NV counIrymon, al home we are arranged I'M
der different political parties. We see, or fancy
we see prospective dangers from The various
grants OF powers of our constitution more or
less extended or contracted, and by correspond
ing course of administration. This state Of cease
less Jealousy, is The accomplishment it may be
it is The condition Of the preservation of our liber
ties Would that it could he kept within reason
able limits, without those eYacerbations which TOO
often enter in all the qualifications Of society, and
divide US from one another, as though our cOun-
try and its institutions were not equally the prop
cry Of al and equally dear 20 all. This senti-
ment OF regret, although everywhere felt grows
more powerful as we recede from our own
shores, and when we hive put the ocean between
us and Our country it becomes one Of the most
powerful feelings of our hearts You have all
experienced this, and its operation ia Obvious.
Spectators of The condition Of the Old World,
aud comparing this with The state o society in our
own country, the blessings which Providence has
alloltclto us are so manifest, that we forget the
very interest we have ourselves taken in the inter
mi questions which divide MS and almost wonder
why there is so much difference wiere there is
much prosperity, and where there many
reasons to thanh God for ali lie has done for our
fathers and oulselves.-,Hhe magnitude OF the Sc
questions is diminished by the distance, aud
though OIL our return they will probably resume
their original feature, and we shall array our
selves under our respective burners; still we
shall have learned a lesson OF tolcrHi C, which |
= hope will be profitable for life. Certain am,
that L shall look with great iorbearanCe upon all
mere differences Of opinion, satisfied that others
are as honestly disposed as ! am 10 seek the
goodbf our common country, and 10 maintain her
institutions, and still better satisfied from the con-
trast Of cur own condition will that Of other
iions that n fuller measure of public prosperity
was ncser eraried to any People, AID that howey-
CpIinin questions of iutprnul poliCV l..
odcay agi,ate us, yet that the great sources of
happiness are independent Of these divisions and
will continue to pour their blessings over the land.
long after oil, wo are now engaged i'll them, shall
have passed away.
mu,e these remarks, my friends, not to ask
you to lay aside your party feelings upon this sad
occasion. | should mistake my own duties, and
your sentiments, did think such recommends
hon ,sary. ! anlziuflueuced by higher mo-
tive, by just pride at The conduct Of the great
American community, under the circumstances
which thas SO much reason to deplore. Not
wlhstaEdlng the violent contest through which
we lave just passed, aud The asperity which was
its natural consequence, we see that every " here
political feeling has Disappeared, aid friends and
opponents have united TO interchange their SYM
pahIes al the loss Of the patriot suddenly taken
from the country. 1t is glorious and touching
spectacle, at Which every American must be
proud. Thank God, political rescutments stop a
The portal Of the tomb. There commences hal!
lowed ground; and he who approaches il, shout,
dlvcst himself of evil passlons as the patriarcl
put off his shoes when the voice from the burn
ing bush announced to him that he in III,
presence of the Almighty.
Most of YOU have come here to manifest YOU
regret AT the death of Chief Magistrate. But
have come, not only to perform that duiy, but t.
mourn the tss of private friend. 1t is more
than forty years since first knew him, aud al.
most thirty since was admitted 10 his frieudsl'I
and confidence. have served undcr him in wa
and tOiih him in peace md never, during iii,
long interval OF our aqusinlence did n single Incl
dent arise, to disturb for moment, the harmon
OF our intercourse. car speak Of him from al
intimate knowledge Of his conduct, hls churacte,
his principles a knowledge, acquired in ia
reriIous scenes OF All active life, where the henl
OF man is laid open, and where, with tue heay
ems above us, and the forest around us, conceal
ment would have been as mpracIcabe rs
would have been useless.
lie was dslnlerested, generous honest, sacrili
eng hls comfort TO that of others, ceusecss in hi
attentions TO duty, lussOnalely DESTROYS Of prC
noting the intelculs Of his country and iornle
by nature TO acquire an ascelidency over those ,
round hiT.--llow wonderful are the yci-siiud,
of life. Lltile did he think, little could hay
though, when together we were exposed 10 vi
peris and suiierings OF a frontier war, and " n,
night and day Witnessed his trials and cXcrtinu
that should ever be called upon, IN this metroI
o,is OF European influence aud opinion, to defcI
his poshumous fame from the attacks of his ow
countrymen. But SO it is, and shall disrrinrl
the dWy. While he lived, le WINS himself full
competent to the task. 1t did not Income an
one TO push Himself forward as volunteer, an
TO claim the privilege OF approprating to hnsc
ms cause. But lie is beyond lie reach OF cnn,
ny, M he 10 beyond the power of correcting
HIs friends lnny now act, each upon his own re-
possibility. His memory is dear to me, and e
gerly embrace this oDporlunitv of resruiny /, fro
various charges, which either originated. or we
revived and propogated, during the late Preside
iIai canHass-And am the more free TO do III
because Know the anxiety he felt upon the SUI
Ject lie would have bee n unworthy of his his
position had he been indifferent to 1t; and hroug
common iiiehd, lie communicated 10 me Ii
wish that would prepare a narrative of the I'M