The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-01-12

When the dishanded lcgions Of Augustus were
suffered 10 eject the happy husbandmcn OF the
fairest portion OF Italy. we have reason TO believe
we know indeed-that some were spared The
ruthless warrior was not suffered 10 usurp tho s,st
and violate the groves which had resounded to
the songs OF the greatest of poets We may con
clude also, that the Scared veterans OF former
wars were exempted from the otherwise general
prescription. Indeed, we must suppose that the
sympathy naturally felt between men OF the same
profession, would have induced the usurpers TO
spare the war worn followers of the great Ponpey,
although they had been the soldiers OF liberty
and the sworn enemies Of their own faction BIT,
gentlemen let me ask you now Ia point 10 an
exception in the prescription which has ragged IN
our own country for the last twelve years! Who
has been spared that professed anything which
could tempt the cupidity of the spoilers My
friend is the last victim The reason OF this hon
orabe distinction | could tell IL II somewhat
different from that which induced the giant
Polyphemus to intend the like honor 10 the king
Of lthca. But you may perhaps be anxious TO
know the reasons which have been assigned for
this outrage upon the feelings of the American
people Why. il was precisely that which has
been given in all countries for all the violent and
unjust acts of tyrants: THE public good" In the
midst of such denominations. how appropriate u
the exclamation OF one OF the distinguished vic
Tins OF the savage Robespierre, "Oh. democracy
how many crimes are committed in thy name"
conclude gentlemen, by Offering you
sentiment. May Solomon Van Rensselaer, be the
last victim In our country of party violence and
may the services which are to be the future pass
ports to Office be not those rendered Ia party
but TO the whole people. w. II HARRISON.
After this Gen. Van Rensselaer, had right
to expect almost anything, He at first as
pired TO the secretaryship Of war, but felt so
confident Of success, and had such an appre
citation OF the proprieties of the occasion, that
for long time he made no effort In his own
behalf The correspondence Of the next few
months is full of interest
In January, seven weeks before the inaugu
ration OF Gen Harrison, Silas Burrows writes
Gen. Van Rensselaer,: II sincerely believe
you can be Tppecanoe's successor Or should
you prefer, can give direction Us to who shall
De-"
But cabinet hopes were soon given up, and
Gen Van Rensselaer, aspired instead to the
dictatorship Of the port of New York. He
came on to Washington. At this stage the
letters began to TEEN with references to rival
ambitions to intrigues, treechery. Efforts
were made TO induce Gen. Harrison to believe
his friend had not been true to him. Fob. Is,
1871, Miss Catharina Van Rensselaer, thus
writes her brother in this pretty fashions;
Before he left tho ball room Tuesday night
Gen Harrison came 10 me and tried to get
farewell kiss, but told him Il would not bea
dccOrous thing for the presidcnt-elect in 4
ballroom, and he left us in Il very cheerful
mood He urged papa to accompany him
and take me along, but papa declined, and !
was really rejoiced that he did So, for could
you SEQ tho obsequiousness of tho swarms
thicker than the locusts of Egypt Of Office
seekers you would be greatly amused Sorry,
indeed, would | bc to have our noble old
father even appear on their trail; but with
pleasure affirm hero there is no cringing,
servlle adulation on his part, Some Of pnpa's
friends say: General, you err In not address
ing yodrsef at once to the president-elect
But papa only holds his head higher, and rays
he trusts his old friend
A few days before the Inauguration Gen,
Van Rensseaer's nephew, Il. V. Schermer-
horn. wrote him from New York:
You must see the president-oect and talk with
him freely Widespread and deep plan has
been laid TO rob you of your Influence with the
president and 70 poison his mind against you.
Men from Washington already say your influence
there does not amount to much. As regards 70
myself ! have not only not been benefited ny
your aid. but have suffered in my effort 20 get
the marshalship in consequence OF being your
nepheS. Was anything ever so rlOustrous 80 III
natural, SO outrageouS-ald this, too, TO occui
within ths first ten days of the administration Of
the old hero of North Bend with whom you had
fought and bled in defense Of your country, and
for whom you had fought and conquered IN the
political field. 1t is strange, passing strange, and
when you have talked frankly and plainly with
the president, in the manner that honest hearted
old soldiers should discourse with each other,
have no doubt he viii fully realize the extent OF
the injury inflicted upon you, and ut once set
about repairing the injury despite ell conse,
auences, even that Of blowing up tho whole
cabinet
Thus the struggle goes along, and ono of
Gen. Van Rensselaer's friends soon writes
him
There s u very general belief that President
Harrison is going to allow himself 10 be too much
governed by his cabinet, This, il true will strip
him u all popularity, and as certainly us" up the
gentlemen OF the cabinet. Can it be possible that
the president Intends TO give you the cut direct or
that lie will allow his honest Old heart 10 be swayed
by the low and dirty Vaccinations OF political
whipsters toad eaters and liars who envy you
your position,
A few days after tho Inauguration Gen.
Van Rensselaer, dined with the president, and
his daughter Cstharina was invited to spend
several days as guest at the executive man
sion. In one Of her letters appear these lines:
Everybody is Wild about appointments Of some
kind. Dewitt Bloodrool ca candidate for Some
thinr) was making himself very agreeable at the
White House He gave Mrs Harrison an elegant
bouquet, aul said he would bring JOhusoas band
around 10 give them sercngde Gen. Harrison
calls me his daughter and told papa should not
return 10 Albany with him.
Two days later she adds:
Cen Harrison gave a farewell dinner this after
noon for our dear father There was a large as
sembags OF the eliJe Of Washington add every
thing passed of pleasantly. About o clock We
prepared 10 take our departure. The president
was ,ery afectionate and honored me With much
attention. The arm Of the good president encir-
cled me while many gentlemen were around US
talking about the Albany postotiica and papa. AT
some REMARK made, Gen Harrison chlmcI IN With:
Eyes, it was a small matter in Mr.. Van Buren, to
take from Gen Van Rensselaer, that itlful Office
To which papa replied, in n stingng darislyc tone,
emphasizing every word: And you have re-
stored TO me- that game pitful Office There was
silence throughout the room that could be felt,
The general seemed startled, suddenly taken
aback, and exclaimed, with a slight trcuor in his
In his voice. Trust me, general, trust me-
March II Gen Van Rensselaer, wrote his
son, sadly:
It's nov q. m. We start in an hour for home,
q l- .ls,.t