The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-14
From the Cincinnati Republican.
LETTER FROM THE PASTOR AT NORTH
BEND

Mr. Eior The annexed communication has
been received by from the Pastor at North Bend;
and embodies much that is and will be found
highly interesting to the friends of General HARRI-
son, and gratifying the Christian public The wri-
ter Of it has had rare opportunity Of knowing Gen.
HARRIsoNs views and feelings and has described
him as he tras-at his homestead-in his nobler rela-
tons society and to his God. From the intense in
teres which felt in every thing that deyelopes
the excellencies Of our late Chief Magistrate, l
persuaded that Mr. BUsHSELLs communication will
be read with avidity, by the American public, and be
found important link in the chain of incidents
which 60 to make up the character of this truly great
man. w. TRUMAN.
Cincinnati, May l, lS4l.
WHAT WAS GEN. HARRIsoN's TRUE GREATNESS
Dear Sir:-Whh diflidence | comply with your
urgent request; for it is maxim with me neither to
euogise the dead hatcr the living. The political
and military character Of the late Chief Magistrate of
the United States is well known, and the tears Of
nation will embalm his memory. But private virtues
and Christian principles marks Of true greatness
and render the memory Of the dead blessed That
President HARRISON was Soldier Scholar and
Patriot, none will deny Yet these were not the ex-
cellencies that rendered him beloved.
General HARRISON was condescendng. The poor
and iterate found ready him as the great
and learned. Even the children at home with
him. and none but the guilty embarrassed in his
presence.
He was honest-above all prevarication, and in all
n
opponent, who had been his neghbor for forty years
Gen. HARRISON never had particle Of dishonesty
about him. He was honest in politics, honest in reli-
gon, and honest in every thing"
he was also c,nfding, and suspected no one. Real
evidence of guilt necessary order to lessen any
in his esteem and when his interest character
were assaed he often first to plead the palIating
circumstances that might extenuate the guilt of the
offender.
He was charitable he regarded property only as va
N n inca afr fhc HOG MT If
man. To whatever he thought would promote the
physical intellectual moral good of the community,
he was generous contributor. 1t il presumed that
not house Of public worship has been erected for
years in this vicinity without his aid. He has often
said TO me, :" ] have small piece of land in such
place, do they not need a Church there or School
house, ! should like to give it for some such pur-
pose" and often when the claims Of public charity
have fallen my hands, felt constrained to conceal
it from him, knowing that his generosity would lead
him TO do, what in my opinion duty did not require.
While engaged in erecting Church in feeble
congregation twelve miles from his residence, ! did
not call on him till il nearly completed on Incl
denalIy meeting him, he said +" hear that you have
been building Church, why have you not called
met | replied, ] consider your benevolent tax al
ready quite sufficient He seemed hurt, and added
let me do ut least what The little property
have belongs to God, and ! cannot appropriate 1t
better" This trait in his character was daily exh
bited at home. The poor and needy knew where to
find a friend The widow, the fatherless and the az
flctcd OF every grade participated in his bounty He
rcproached none for their poverty and misery nor in
quired the Of their wrechedness till the suffer-
ing was relieved, then, only to apply moral re-
NEEDY. The bondmen and fugitive shared in his sym
pathy, and the subjects Of and prejudice found
him friend and protector. have visited the sick
and stood by the dying and attended at the house of
mourning, and the man whom have most often met
there on erands of mercy, especially among the poor
was General HARRISON.
The writer has had pretty extensive and familiar
sha h..
the Pastor of the congregation where he worship
ped for the six years previous to March, lSi0 yet he
never heard the poor man speak responsibility of
Gen. HARRISON. mol When the car heard him then
1T blessed him, and when the eye HIM 1t gave
witness TO him Because he delivered the poor that
cried, and the fatheress; and him that had to
help HIM. The blessing of him that was ready 10
perish came upon HIM, and he caused the widow 3
hear, to sing Tor joy. He eyes TO the blind, and
feet 10 the lame. lie was father TO the poor and
the that he knew not he searched out"-.ob %
1l-16.
This application Of scripture will meet with a
hearty response among thousands who best knew his
worth, and yet he rcproveJ their foes and rebuked
their sins.
GENERAL HARRIsoN's RELIGIOUS VIEWS
II may be said, all these virtues are sometimes ex-
hbited without religion and much solcitude is mani
tested 10 know how far his conduct the result of
Christian principle. Here also facts are more to be
relied than impressions, and perhaps few who will
speak had better opportunity of knowing his relgi
views and feelings than the writer. first the
General addressing large congregation of his fellow
ownsmen the subject of temperance. At The close
Of the meeting, notice was given that he would address
the children at Cloves, the next Lords day, on the
subject of Sabbath Schools. 1t peculiarly inter
cstng to hear old soldier urging his nciehbors to
pledge themselves against their most dangerous foe,
and persuading the children and youth TO enlist I'M
der tho banner OF Christ.
If he first
for learning the reason of his conduct, As was well