The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1841-04-20
From The National Inteiiigenrer
THE Flu N f r A l.

task 10 Law beCore our readers sketch orthe Joyous
scenes which marked the Inauguration OF below
ed Chief Magistrate, how Iittle did we--aias how
iiuls did any one-anticlpate that our columns
would so soon be occupied with the particulars Of
his Funeral ObsequicsI II seems, even yet, but as
dream-some false, but afTrghng vision. Could
the deem soIici,ude ofthe best and wisest men
could the fond, the sanguine hopes of innumerablo
personal and political frcnds-coud the prayers,
The sincere fer> ont prayers of multitude of Christ
ian people-could the undivided affection OF almost
an entire nation, have secured to human being
prolonged life and unimpaired health and te'lclly'
these assuredly would have been tho lot OF WIZ
LIAM Henry HARRISON, Never, since the times OF
WAsnlNGToS, has any one men concentrated up
on himselfthe love and confidence Of the Amcri'
can People; and never, since tho melancholy day
which shrouded a nation in mourning for his sud
den death, has any event produced so general
and so profound sensation Of surprise and sor-
row.
So brief has been the late Presidents illness that
now, as in the case Of WAsHINGToE, there had
been scarce time for us to fear, when the stunning
blow of 1he reality fell upon us like a stroke of
thunder from cloudless sky. Men looked agast,
and staggered as If amazed BY something they
could scarcely believe. But it was true. He who,
with open beaming countenancc, passed along our
streets IN the Joy of his heart-he, the welcome,
tho long expected, the desired, on whom all eyes
were fastened to whom all hearts went out, who
had within him more stirring sub;ec of exhlirat
ing consciousness than have met in single bosom
since WAsHlNGToS was crowned with wreaths as
he came back from Yorktown, was, on Wednesday
H., l,,tla hnr
along that same crowded avenue--crowded, not as
before with jubant People gathered from every
quarter of the country, but with sincerely SORROW
ing mulitudcs following his bier. AS the shouts
which rent the air the free spontaneous e1-
preston Of the loye and Joy of fsemen, dolightng
to confer their highest honors on one whom they
believed have richly deserved them, so now
the tears will fall from the eyes ofwomen the signs
and looks of grief of gray headed men, the general
and universal aspect of public sorrow, were the I'M
bought the impure hasable sorrow Of bereaved
people public virtue d devoted patriotism This
was not tho momentary gush of feelings wro ught
upon by the pomp and circumstance Of funeral
procession. 1t was not the sable car, the nodding
piumcs, the slow and mournful array-it was the
event ilseIf-the loss Of such man, at such time,
which drew forth these expressions of public feel
ing. They will be substantially tho same in every
part of the country. AS il was hero, it will be
every where. When the words "the PREsrpENr
is dead" met tho ear, the of business dropped
his pep-the artisan dropped his tools-children
looked in the faces of the parents, and wives into
the countcnances oi'their husbands, and the wall
OF sorrow arose as if each had osta parent some
near and dear friend. Could Gen. HARRIsoN now
look down on tho land no loved, he might indeed,
"rcad his History in nations eyes,; and those,
whose bosoms glow and struggle with high purpos.
es and strong desires for thor country's good may
learn in what they now behold, wherever they
turn their eyes, how glorious reward awaits the
memory of those who faithfully serve their coun-
try!
But, while mourn for ourselves, there is no
cause OF mourning behalf of the deceased. The
ray of his country's gratitude, though late, shone
in full splerdor on his parting hour llo had attain
ad all that man reach of human honor. Freely,
spontaneously, unanimously, had his countIymen
placed him in the highest seat they had TO give.
lie had dene enough, during the brief time he
cupied tito show that he had passed with honor
through many lesser trusts, so he equal to this
last and highest trial which his character and
powers could be subjected AS much as no had
an opportunity to do, he did we'll. The candid c.
ven among his enemies, Gf there be any who do
not now blush TO own that tite) will admit this
But he had not entered so far the tenpestuous
sea of public affairs toexpose himself 10 and
personal enmites from the discharge os his duty.
Before the storm had time to gather, before envy,
and detraction, and party fury had began t" muster
their stores of coming vengeance to pour without
mercy upon his head-lhat venerable head; silver
ed with the frosts Of age and of,long and arduous
devotion to his counrys service, is gently laid on
the pillow of death In that sacred sanctuary,
which nothing earthly can invade he sleeps in safe
~ from the strife OF tongues. His name, FREQ from
the sembanqe of spot, and illnsrious in the halo
of an impershabe fame, IS delivered over TO histo
ny as sacred trust, to be written on the same page
with that of those pure patriots, who, IN every age
and every land, have been the disinteresed friends
of human freedom and happinfss IS. The beautiful
union of private excellence with public virtue has
never been more w,nningly exhibited than in the
case of Gen. HARRIsoN. His frank simplicity and
freedom from all ostentalion-his attachment to
his soldiers-his urbanity and condescension to
men of humble fortune--his charity to tho poor
his omen hearted and OPEN handed hospitality-hs