Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-05-27

of WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, late President OF
the United States, for publication.
The address is not yet in a condition for pubica-
ton-needing many corrections. So soon as IT
is, it shall be at your service.
Very respectfully, gentlemen.
Your obt seIv't,
J. A. COLLINS.
ADDRESS.
When a distinguished Captain of the
armies of Israel had been treacherously
slain, the King in lamenta.ion said to
those about him ga great man has fallen. "
And what, fellow-citizens, convenes us
together on this occasion? What has
wrapped this nation in mourning? What
has caused the deep toned notes Of wall
ing to echo through The land What
clouds every face with gloom, and fills
every heart with sorrowi William Hen
ry Harrison is no morei The great, the
good man the patriotic citizen the gal
liant soldier; the successful defender of
his country's rights in the field; the able
civilian and legislator the venerable and
beloved Chief Magistrate of the Republic
has fallen by the unsparing hand of death!
The reflections which associate them.
selves with this national bereavement are
of nature to leave the most impressive
effect upon the public mind. 1t is the
first instance in the history of the Rcpub-
lie, when the Chief Magistrate, while in
office, has been removed from his high
station by death We had mourned the
loss of Washington, "the father of his
country !" OF Adams, the eloquent and ar.
dent patriot OF Jefferson, the author OF
the Declaration Of Independence OF
Madison, the father of the Constitution /;
of Monroe, the able diplomatst and prac-
teal statesman These ill9strious men,
like brilliant orbs "with all their rays
complete" had left the horizon Of time
to ilumine the brighter canopy Of Eterni-
ty Their circle Of honor and Of service
was full Not so with Harrison, though
rich in fame ard the Nations gratitude.
He had just entered upon the high trust
committed to him by the sufrages of his
countrymen Their plaudts, their patri-
otto rejoicings had gwen him an enthusi-
asic welcome to his new dignities The
eyes of the nation and of the world were
fixed on him Every heart beat with
anxiety and fond anticipation! 1t was be-
ieved, moreover, that the condition Of af-
fairs at hume and abroad required such a
man as William Henry Harrison in the
executive chair. He possessed the conf
Gence Of the people. They believed him
competent to the emergency, while his
eminent character and abilities secured
HIM the respect Of foreign powers. And
he had already given evidence that the
trust reposed in him was not misplaced ;
that the hopes of the nation would be real
lied In an instant the whole is dashed!
The fair prospect is suddenly o'ercast
with clouds Intelligence of the Presi.
dents illness falls painfully upon the pub
lie ear; followed in few brief days by
the still more astounding annunciation OF
his death! The songs of the people are
turned into mourning-Their rejocings
into sadness The nation is clothed in sack
cloth ! What an occasion for deep and
profound reflection, in view of this mystic
rious dspensation Of Providence, "whose
judgments are unsearchable, and his ways
pas, finding out.
We have assembled, fellow citizens, to
honor the memory Of the late Chief Ma.
gistrate Of the nation. In doing so we
act from the best impulses Of our nature,
and in conformity with custom honored
by time, and Of beneficial tendency. By
portraying the excellencies Of departed
worth, encouragement is given to virtue,
and noble emulation is excited. In the
private virtues and public services Of the
late lamented President of the United
States, character is presented tina! CON-
mands the respect Of the wise and good,
and may be safely held up as worthy oil
imitation to his countrymen. His IS a
spotess name. Nor were there any Of
his contemporaries that rendered the State
more service.
To form a correct estimate of this dis
tingulshed citizen, we must look some
what to the condition of the country take
into consideration the state of things that
enlisted in his youth. 1t is unquestiona-
bly, true that the spirit of the age, the cir
cumstances that surround man at this pc.
Rod Of life, exert great power over him.
They, in fact, constitute the mould in
which his CHARACTER is formed. 1t is a
trite saying that early Impressions are the
strongest they imprint themselves in
delby upon the mind, govern its senti.
ments, and control its action. To this
fact may be mainly attributed the varied
developments traceable in mans history
in different eras of the world, and even Of
the same people. AT one period we see
stern virtue, as n the better days of Greece
and Rome-forming the spirit Of the age
the pervading influence in society, and
its characteristics are visible in the lives
and conduct of all Of that day. At another
we behold the enthusiasm Of chivalry pre-.
dominant, and its excitement is universal