The Madisonian

The Image of Justice.

We have compiled, from various sources, the following disinterested testimonials, which were commanded from their several authors by the lofty patriotism, valor, talents and success of Gen. Harrison, long before he was named for the Presidency, and in times a which ought to give them weight sufficient to bear down all the petty calumnies and quibbling objections which party malignity may now presume to forge against the war-worn and time-honored patriot and soldier.

The authorities we present against the spurious attacks of Loco-Foco Federalism, and which we shall stereotype as an impregnable barricade against all opposition, are no less than the Congress of the United States, the Legislatures of Indiana, and of Kentucky, James Madison, James Monroe, Colonel Richard M. Johnson, Anthony Wayne, Langdon Cheves, Simon Snyder, Gov. Shelby, Com. Perry, Col. Croghan, Col. Davies, and others, including in the illustrious catalogue even Thomas Ritchie himself!

We begin with the testimony of Colonel Richard M. Johnson, now Vice President of the United States.

Col. Johnson said, (in Congress)-

"Who is Gen. Harrison? The son of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, who spent the greater part of his large fortune in redeeming the pledge he then gave, of his 'fortune, life and sacred honor,' to secure the liberties of his country.

"Of the career of Gen. Harrison I need not speak - the history of the West, is his history. For thirty years he has been identified with its interests, its perils and its hopes. Universally beloved in the walks of peace, and distinguished by his ability in the councils of his country, he has been yet more illustriously distinguished in the field.

"During the late war, he was longer in active service than any other General officer; he was, perhaps, oftener in action than any one of them, and never sustained a defeat."

James Madison, in a special message to Congress, Dec. 18, 1811, said,

While it is deeply lamented that so many valuable lives have been lost in the action which took place on the 7th ultimo, Congress will see with satisfaction the dauntless spirit of fortitude victoriously displayed by every description of troops engaged, as well as the collected firmness which distinguished their commander on an occasion requiring the utmost exertions of valour and discipline.

James Madison in his message to Congress, Nov. 1812, said,

An ample force from the States of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, is placed with the addition of a few regulars, under the command of Brigadier General Harrison, who possesses the entire confidence of his fellow soldiers, among whom are citizens, some of them volunteers in the ranks, not less distinguished by their political stations than by their personal merits.

In Mr. Madison's message of Dec. 1813, the compliment was extended, as follows:

The success on Lake Erie having opened a passage to the territory of the enemy, the officer commanding the Northwestern army, transferred the war thither, and, rapidly pursuing the hostile troops fleeing with their savage associate, forced a general action, which quickly terminated in the capture of the British, and dispersion of the savage force.

This result is signally honorable to Major General Harrison, by whose military talents it was prepared.

The following tribute of praise was paid to General Harrison, in 1811, by eleven of the officers who fought under his banner at the battle of Tippecanoe:

"Should our country again require our services to oppose a civilized or a savage foe, we should march under General Harrison with the most perfect confidence of victory and fame."

JOEL COOK, R. B. BURTON, NATHAN ADAMS, A. HAWKINS, H. BURCHSTEAD, HOSEA BLOOD, JOSIAH SNELLING, O. G. BURTON, C. FULLER, G. GOODING, J. D. FOSTER.

Extract of a letter from Col. Davies, who was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe, Aug. 21, 1811:

"I make free to declare, that I have imagined there were two military men in the West, and Gen. Harrison is the first of the two."

Message of Simon Snyder, Governor of Pennsylvania, Dec. 10, 1813.

"Already is the brow of the young warrior, Croghan, encircled with laurels, and the blessings of thousands of women and children rescued from the scalping knife of the ruthless savage of the wilderness, and from the still more savage Proctor, rest on Harrison and his gallant army."

In the Legislature of Indiana, on the 12th Nov. 1811, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gen. Wm. Johnson, thus addressed Gen. Harrison:

"Sir - The House of Representatives of the Indiana territory, in their own name, and in behalf of their constituents, most cordially reciprocate the congratulations of your Excellency on the glorious result of the late sanguinary conflict with the Shawnee Prophet, and the tribes of Indians confederated with him; when we see displayed in behalf of our country, not only the consummate abilities of the general, but the heroism of the man; and when we take into view the benefits which must result to that country from those exertions, we cannot, for a moment, withhold our meed of applause."

Legislature of Kentucky, Jan. 7, 1812.

Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Kentucky; in the late campaign against the Indians upon the Wabash, Gov. William Henry Harrison has behaved like a hero, a patriot, and a general; and that for his cool, deliberate, skilful and gallant conduct in the battle of Tippecanoe, he well deserves the warmest thanks of his country and his nation.

Gen. Anthony Wayne, in his letter to the Secretary of War, giving an official account of his sanguinary Indian battle, in 1792, said:

"My faithful and gallant Lieutenant Harrison, rendered the most essential service, by communicating my orders in every direction, and by his conduct and bravery, exciting the troops to press for victory."

Resolution directing the medals to be struck, and, together with the thanks of Congress, presented to Major General Harrison, and Governor Shelby, and for other purposes.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major General William Henry Harrison, and Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky, and, through them to the officers and men under their command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the combined British and Indian forces under Major General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, on the fifth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, capturing the British army, with their baggage, camp equipage, and artillery; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause two gold medals to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to General Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky.

H. CLAY,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

JOHN GAILLARD,

President of the Senate, pro tempore.

April 4, 1818 - Approved,

James Monroe.

Gov. Shelby to Mr. Madison, May 18, 1814, says:

"I feel no hesitation to declare to you that I believe Gen. Harrison to be one of the first military characters I ever knew."

Col. Richard M. Johnson to Gen. Harrison, July 4, 1813, says.

"We did not want to serve under cowards or traitors: but under one [Harrison] who had proved himself to be wise, prudent and brave."

Commodore Perry to General Harrison, August 18, 1817, says:

"The prompt change made by you in the order of battle on discovering the position of the enemy, has always appeared to me to have evinced a high degree of military talent. I concur with the venerable Shelby in his general approbation of your conduct in that campaign."

The opinions of the Hon. Langdon Cheves, of the importance of the victory of the Thames, and the bravery of Gen. Wm. H. Harrison.

"The victory of Harrison, was such as would have secured to a Roman General in the best days of the Republic, the honors of a triumph! He put an end to the war in the uppermost Canada."

Sentiments of the Hero of Fort Stephenson, Col. Croghan, now of the War Department:

"I desire no plaudits which are bestowed upon me at the expense of General Harrison.

"I have felt the warmest attachment for him as a man, and my confidence in him as an able commander remains unshaken. I feel every assurance that he will at all times do me ample justice; and nothing could give me more pain than to see his enemies seize upon this occasion to deal out their unfriendly feelings and acrimonious dislike; and as long as he continues, (as in my humble opinion he has hitherto done,) to make the wisest arrangements and the most judicious disposition, which the forces under his command will justify, I shall not hesitate to unite with the army in bestowing upon him that confidence which he so richly merits, and which has on no occasion been withheld."

Lastly we come to the neat compliment of Thomas Ritchie, editor of the Richmond Enquirer, the leading organ of the Coalition in the South, who now brandishes his old "chapless sword with two broken points," and threatens devastating war upon the conqueror of the British and Indian Coalition of the West! The Richmond Enquirer said:

General Harrison's letter tells us every thing that we wish to know about the officers, except himself. He does justice to every one but Harrison - and the world must therefore do justice to the man, who was too modest to be just to himself.

"He." (General Harrison) seems to be willing to set the negroes free, and sell white men into slavery!!"—Globe.

COMMENTARY.

From Gen. Harrison's report of the battle of the Thames:

"We have suffered greatly for the want of provisions, and the whole army has subsisted, for the last three days, on raw beef without salt."

CONTRAST.

From Mr. Van Buren's message:

"The people look to the Government for too much."

"In all ages, and in all countries, it has been observed, that the cultivators of the soil are those who are the least willing to part with their rights, and submit themselves to the will of a master."

WM. H. HARRISON.

TO THE PEOPLE OF THE U. STATES-

May they ever remember that to preserve their liberties, they must do their own voting and their own fighting

WM. H. HARRISON.