Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1889-01-17

what is he now? What and who is the hero of
two wars, the conqueror Of the heroic Brockf
A year ego | would have answered you, fellow
citizens that he was living in humble retirement
In the bosom Of a large and happy family, sup
| ported by the emoluments Of an humble Office,
the gift Of president who had himself jeopardized
his life and shed his blood In achieving the in
dependence Of his country and knew how to ap-
preciate a heTos services and reward soldier 9
| tolls. Such, gentlemen. was the situation OF my
friend, the defender Of Ohio cabins from the
furious savage, the bearer in his body of the
marks of seven distinct wounds when the spoilers
came.
When the disbanded legions of Augustus were
| suffered to eject the happy husbandmen Of the
fairest portion of Italy we have reason to believe
| we know indeed-that some were spared. The
ruthless warrior not suffered to usurp the seat
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 Pompey,
| although they had been the soldiers of liberty,
| and the sworn enemies Of their own faction. But,
| gentlemen, let me ask you now to point to an
| exception in the prescription which has ragged in
| our own country for the last twelve years? Who
| could tempt the cupidity Of the spoerss My
friend is the last victim The reason of this hon.
| orable distinction l could tell 1t is somewhat
different from that which induced the giant
Polyphemus to intend the like honor to the king
Of Ithica- 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, it 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 Is
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 to party.
but to the whole people. W. H. 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,: 81 sincerely believe
you can be eTippecanoe's successor Or should
you prefer, can give direction as to whoshaIl
be-"
But cabinet hopes were soon given up, and
Gen. Van Rensselaer, aspired instead to the
collectorship 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, treachery. Efforts
were made to induce Gen. Harrison to believe
his friend had not been true to him. Feb. Is,
1S4i, Miss Catharina Van Rensselaer, thus
writes her brother in this pretty fashion:
"Before he left the ball room Tuesday night
Ger Harrison came to me and tried to get
farewell kiss, but told him it would not be a
decorous thing for the president-elect in
ball room, and he left us in a 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 see the obsequiousness of the swarms
thicker than the locusts of Egypt Of office
seekers you would be greatly amused. Sorry,
indeed, would | be to have our noble old
father even appear on their trail; but with
pleasure | affirm here there is no cringing,
servile adulation on his part. Some of papa's
friends say: General, you err in not address
ing yourself at once to the presidentelect.'
But papa only holds his head higher, and says
he trusts his old friend"
A few days before the Inauguration Gen.
Van Rensselaer's nephew, H. V. Schermer-
horn, wrote him from New York:
You must see the president-elect and talk with
him freely. widespread and deep plan has
been laid to rob you of your influence with the
president and to poison his mind against you.
Men from Washington already say your influence
there does not amount to much. AS regards to |
myself have not only not been benefited by |
your aid. but have suffered in my effort 70 get
the marshalship in consequence of being your
nephew. Was anything ever so monstrOus so ur- |
natural, so outrageous-and this, too, to occur
within the 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 It 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 will fully realize the extent of |
the injury inflicted upon you, and at once set |
about repairing the injury despite all conse
quences even that Of blowing up the whole |
cabinet
Thus the struggle goes along, and one Of
Gen. Van Rensselaer's friends soon writes
him:
There is very general belief that President
Harrison Is going to allow himself to be too much
governed by his cabinet. This, if true, will strip
him Of all popularity, and as certainly use up the
gentlemen Of the cabinet. Can it be possible that
ths president intends to give you the cut direct,
that he will allow his honest old heart to be swayed
by the low and dirty Vaccinations Of political
whipsters, toad eaters and liars who envy you
your position? f
A few days after the Inauguration Cen
Van Rensselaer, dined with the president, and
his daughter Catharina 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 Bloodgood "a candidate for some
thing) was making himself very agreeable at the
White House He gave Mrs. Harrison an elegant
bouquet, and said he would bring Johnson's band
around to give them serenade. Gen. Harrison
calls me his daughter and told papa l should not
return to Albany with him.
Two days later she adds:
Gen. Harrison gave farewell dinner this after
noon for our dear father. There was large as
semblage Of the elite Of Washington, and every
thing passed off pleasantly. About o'clock we
prepared to take our departure. The president
was very affectionate, 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 postofice and papa At
some remark made, Gen. Harrison chined In with:
Eyes, 1t was small matter in Mr.. Van Buren to
take from Gen. Van Rensselaerthat pitiful office"
To which papa replied, in singing, derisive tone
every word: "And you have re-
stored to me that same pitiful Office There was
silence throughout the room that could be felt
The general seemed startled, suddenly taken
shack, and exclaimed, with slight tremor In his
b his voice: Trust me, general trust me-"
March II Gen. Van Rensselaer, wrote bis