Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-05
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE CLOSING
SCENES OF THE LIFE OF HARRISON


a'ighted from the cars in Washington fc,
day. before his Inauguration. lie was dresse
" plain great coat and common black hal
(whitc was favorite color of Jackson,) and an
peared IN great simplicity-much indeed like
farmer President. Although the snow was rap
idly descending, a vast crowd surrounded III,
car house, and filed the adjacent broad avenue
ever and anon rending the air with their shout
OF welcome, as the old General (refusinp l.
ride) walked to his prepared lodgings, holdint
his hat 10 his hand, while his venerable hcatt
firmly Gas in other days. received the pelting
OF the TEMPEST. II was sublime moment /
was beautiful commentary of the nature o
our republican institutions. II was a renewed
and noble Development of the spirit of ou
Constitution. Nor was it the homage of office
holders or ofiicc-eypcctants. II was the out.
ponrings of the hearts of the people.
1t was anna'ng indeed to see the red pen.
lant with the nrmes of nineteen States inscrib
ed in white upon it, stretching in the form o.
an inverted arch across the width of pennsyl.
vanla Avenue, and along with il the star span
gicd banner, triumphant IN many battles on the
land and on the sea. Gen. Harrison was exceed.
| lngy gratlficd with the powerful vote given him
So was he with the character of many of his
voters. | once observed to him had under.
stood the clergy of New York generally voted
for him. 81 am pleased to hear that" he no.
piled, "and so did the ministers of Cincinnati
The population Of Washington was never SO
Transported with all all pervading enthusiasm on
the arrival of any preceding one of the illus
trious line of Presidents. When Jackson came
from the Hermitage aud appeared in Washing
ton in obedience to the summons OF that over.
whelming majority which could never be revcrs.
ed, there was much enthusiasm amonp stronr
DOtirions and brcto cnlI;or. l>,, ~.
of those that met and mingled in society with
him did not leap forth as when Harrison stood
before them. Many were the hearty oscua
tons bestowed on the hardy cheek o. the old
General by ma'ronly virtue and virgin purity.
lie appeared the venerated and beloved father
among kind and devoted childred.
Inc day OF the inauguration was cool and
raw. Long before twelve the people began to
assemble IN immense numbers They we're
from every part of the Union. The President
elect having taken the oath of office, the thun.
de. OF cannon announced the fact in the ears of
the people. Then followed the inaugural Adj.
dress, which, long as it was, was uttered in
clear, audible and powerful tones, such as proba.
bly, never before proceeded from President.
That mental and physical exerton in the omen
air, on cold March day, in the midst of such
intense excitement OF feeling, continued for
nearly two hours, and followed BY the subse.
qnent congratulations Of the day and the occa.
sion, was enough TO cripple the strength Of
youth. How could an old man sustain it
Exctabe as Gen. Jackson s the very essence
OF his constitution, phlcgnatc as Gen Harrison
was believed to be on the august occasion of
the Inauguration Of each, the former appeared
as tranquil in spirits, as he was inaudible in en-
uncaon: the soul of the latter seemed reused
with the fire OF patriotism, as il it had been
kndled anew by the breath OF popular applause,
when, as he was crowned with the civic wreath,
the shouts OF thousands welcomed him as the
patriot President Of the republic.
1T we may pursue the contrast between these
TWO eminent men, viewed in various lights,
truth will authorize US 10 say, that while the
Hero OF New Orleans was iinpetuous, ira,cibc.
irresistible, the Hero Of Tippecanoe was COOL
good natured persevering. Doth were aff,be
and communicative, but while Jackson was
more conrtly,fjarrison was more ABRUPT. While
the latter would not willingly offend the hum.
best citizen, the former was more Indifferent
What impressions he made. especially if he was
indicating any violated point of his character
Both loved their companions in arms, were
grateful for favors, but far from being equally
sensitive to the severity of impeachment from
the tongue Of rumor. Anaccusation that would
throw Gen. Jackson into paroxysn of indlgna.
ton, would only begin to stir the sensbties
OF Harrison. Boldness, ardor. a burning pa,ri-
otism Characterised the one--caution, resolution
steady love OF country the other. The moral
was probably equal to The military courage of
each. Neither understood fear. Neither gave
up hope in the darkest crisis. Neither could
tolerate blunders, weakness or waverinr, when
The enemy was nigh. Jackson could never
speak OF Blo'Iensburg with patience. with
that old mill" said he " on the bank of the river
for fort, aud four hundred men, would have
beat tina rascals off" lie declared that all the
Americans wanted at any time was a leader
and some discipline. Both these men reposed
after the storm Of war and the faligues Of a
campaign, with deep delight, on the bosom of
domestic love. They were fond and devoted
husbands. As the departed wife of the one is
held in sacred remembrance by he. husband.
so the departed husband of the other is cher.
shed by his surviving widow, in whose affection
nation was afflicted. As intellectual men,
lhey were both strong, but while education had
polished the mind Of Harrison, il had done little
for that of Jackson In literary compos 'tiol he
quite deficient, while Harrison was the best
beles-!e',res scholar and the most popular
speaker IN his class at College. The full,
strong and voluminous voice OF Harrison was
heard by 10000 people at his Inauguration.
Probably not five hundred heard that of Jack
son on similar OCCASION In money matters,
the one was free, generous, even prodigal. The
other IL careful, saving, just before generous,
abhors beggars, and thinks it dangerous to en-.
courage them. Harrison would eject from his
pocket the last eagle for the destitute and sui
ferng. Like Monroe, Harrison could not dl.
rich. Like Van Buren,, Jackson would with the
greatest difficulty die poor. In the bosom of
both, love Of country burned with inexiingusl.
able ardor, and they constitute, like Washing.
ton, each the rare case Of the highest office in
the world seeking them in dlgnitied retire.
inen', instead of their seeking it. The one,
apparently feeble, outlived his double Presiden
tal term, tcmpestnous and disastrous as it was !;
the other. apparently strong, died on the very
Threshold OF his labors and responsibilities.
What an event was that death! II thrilled
the heart of the nation. When it was announc.
ed to the astonlshed people, who was not taken
by surprise
Those that were distant from the scene i'm.
agned many things. Those that were near
saw and felt things almost SURPRISING imagna.
ton. There might have been deeper sutlm.
ty in the grief OF the people, as the melancholy
news travelled from city to city and from village
to village OF this fair land but it's strength and
inpp uunuonpsa rou,1 not ba rro,,o. A. =,