The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-08-28
SELECT LITERATURE.

SELECT LITERATURE.
"REMINISCENCES OF WASHINGTON.
The Harrison Administration, 1s41.
From tie itlontic Monthly.
General William Henry Harrison was
by birth and education 4 Eirginian. His
father, Benjamin Harrison, 4 signer of
the Declaration of Independence, was
the largest man in the old Congress of
the Confederation. and when John Ham
cock was elected President of that body
he seized him and bore him to the chair
in his arms. William Henry Harrison,
on reaching manhood, had migrated to
Ohio. then the far West, and had for
forty years been prominently identified
with the interests, the perils, and the
hopes of that region. Universally be-
loved in the walks of peace, and some
what distinguished by the ability with
which he had discharged the duties of 4
succession of offices which he had filled,
he had Won his greatest renown i'll mill
tary service. But he had never abjured
the political doctrines of the Old Domin-
ion, and his published letters and speech
es during the Presidential campaign
which resulted in his election showed
that he was a believer i'll what the Viz
ginians called 4 strict construction of the
Federal Constitution on financial ques-
tionS internal improvements, the veto
power, and the protection of negro Slav
cry. His intellect was enriched with
classical "reminiscences, which he was
fond of quoting in writing or in CONVEX
sation. When he left his residence on
the bank of the Ohio for the seat of gov
eminent. lie compared his progress to
the return of Cicero to Rome, congratu-
lated and cheered rs he passed on by the
victorious Cato and his admiring coun-
trymen.
VII lSbIl > Ill Nv al at w atNII-
in.ton. 4 stormy afternoon in February,
1871. he walked from the railroad sta
ton (then on Pennsylvania Avcnue) to
the City Hall, carrying his hat in his
hand, and bowling his Acknowledgements
for the cheers with which he was greeted
by the citizens who lined the sidewalks.
On reaching the City Hall, the President
elect was formally addressed by the
mayor. Colonel w. w. Seaton, one of the
editors of the National MteHtgencer, who
supplemented his panegyric by compli-
mcntary editorial article i'll his newspaper
Of the next morning. These compli-
mcntary remarks-ollicial and editorial
excited the ire Of Senator William II.
King. Of Alabama, a prim, spare, formal
old bachelor, famliarly known as Miss
bate soon afterwards. Colonel Seaton,
on reading the report of Senator King $
remarks, lost no time i'll requesting his
friend Senator Mangum to wait on him,
bearing Il demand for either the retrac-
ton of the offensive language OF 1.-THE
satisfaction usual with gentlemen Mr..
King referred Mr.. Mangum to Senator
Preston, of South Carolina, and the two
mutual friends succeeded in averting a
visit to the dueling grounds at Bladens-
burg, Mr.. King manlully avowing that
he was in the wrong.
A few weeks after this, as the eXpira-
ton of President Van Buren's official
term approached, the aldermen and com
mon council of Washington obsequiously
passed vote of thanks to the outgoing
Chief Magistrate for the liberality, cour-
tcSy, and personal interest displayed by
him towards the national metropolis dur
ing his four years administration. This
was not acceptable to Mayor Seaton, as
| Mr.. Van Buren, had VIGOROUSLY excluded
those citizens of Washington who were
Wings from the hospitalities of the Elk,
ecutive Mansion while he had controlled
them. SO the eGitor-mayor formally We
tocd the complimentary resolution, and
transmitted veto message to the city
government, giving his reasons for this
marked slight.
Soon after his arrival at Washington
General Harrison announced who were
to compose his cabinet. Before coming
East. he had visited Henry Clay at Ash
land. and had rendered him the position
of Secretary of State, which Mr.. Cha,
had promptly declined, saying that h'
had fully determined not to hold ot1ic,
he intended cordially to support it,
There will be those,'' said Mr.. Clay t.
the President elect. ''who will endeavo
to SOW tarcs between you and myself
who have, indeed. already attempted t.
do SOTO create distrust and .icalousie.
and ill feeling between US: ! beg you
therefore, to listen to no reports i'll re
gard to my opinion or intended cours'
in regard to this or that measure or &C
of yours; whatever my opinions or cours,
may be, you shall be the first to hear O
them from NO.,
General Harrison thanked Mr.. Ga,
for his frankness and candor, denyin:
that any attempt had been made to ere
ate i'll feeling on his part between them
and expressing deep regret that he coul,
not accept the portfolio of the depart
ment Of State. lie further said that i
Mr. Clay had accepted the position Q
Secretary Of State, it had been his intcn
ton to offer the portfolio of the Trcasur.
Department to Mr.. Webster: but Sine
Mr.. Clay had declined seat in the cahi
net. he should not offer one to Mr.. Web
ster.
M Cl,v oI,iantad IN thiS npup1,l Si0p