The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-14
GAG
X From the Portsmouth IN. H) Mercury July 10.
vooDBURY'S EULOGY ON JACKSON.

rfVxn Sno E0rtsmVutm \Ns nj mStcusy, SuAy ~
wooDBURY,S EULoGY ON JACKSON.
The cold, wet, uncomfortable weather Of Wed
nesday evening, the I'd instant, did not prevent a
large and highly respectable audience from filing the
church, on the occasion Of the Hon. Lew Woodbu-
Well, indeed, were they rewarded. A more pro-
found, unbroken, and gratfed attention was never
yielded by any audience to any speaker. Political
opponents, az well as friends, expressed themselves
delighted. While the ear was enchained by the
power of lofty and sustained eIoquence, worthy Of
the immortal subject, the mind was instructed by
truth and reason, aud the heart was expanded by
noble sentiments. Nor did the orator abandon him
self to the sway Of political and personal Partially,
and lavish indscriminate panegyric on the states.
man and warrior with whom he had served the
country in its councils, and the friend with whom
he had enjoyed the sweets of hreside communi-
on. "Indiscrminate praise" he exclaimed, sis not
worth the breath that utters it" and, while he
praised, and praised highly, because praise was
highly DUE the judgment and the hearts Of the audi
tory were the more deeply impressed, because he
spoke the language of historical impartiay, show
ing that, with reference to him we mourn, history
and eulogy are one. In treating Of parsonage,
the events Of whose life are 20 familnrly known to
allwhose life in fact had become matter of history
long before he diedthe orator was remarkably sue
cessful in avoiding the tritcness of commonplace,
which, in ordinary hands, had been sure to degrade
ter, throwing luminous beams on everything he
touched until the potraiture seemed to rear s form
aloft, with the grandeur and distnctness of coos-
sus carved in marble. They who had studied Mr..
Woodbury's senatorial efforts, and learned to adj
miro the depth Of thought, sodity Of Judgment and
they are distinguished learned on this occasion,
recognize, moreover, pure and elevated rhetoric,
equal to the greatness Of the theme; and they who
had always admired the character Of Andrew Jack
son, and been grateful for his public services were
sensible while they listened that they had not here
tofore admired all that was truly admirable in him,
and were led to feel how great indeed, is the loss
which has shrouded tho land in mourning.
EULOGY
On the life and character Of Gen. .andrsc Jackson, pro-
nounced by the Hon. Lepi Woodbury., in the Univer-
salst church, in Portsmouth, Mao Hampshire, on The
evening Of the I'd inst.
Mr. FELLow-cIrIzENs This is no ordinary occa-
sion, when whole nation is in mourning. The
solemn toll of the bell--the funeral dirge--the
shroud--the crape-and the minute gun---all, over
every hill and valley of our wide republic, bespeak
some great public loss as well as public grief We
come together this evening to express in language
still stronger, if possible than these melancholy to-
kens, our own deep sense of the bereavement the
country has sustained in the death Of one of the mo-
blest Of her children.
Il is no overstrained eulogy to add, that so many
testimonials Of respect and real love from whole
people would be offered at this time TO the memory
OF but q single man on the western continent. That
man, the history of all around tells us, was the hero
OF New Orleans, He is no more. The victor in a
bundled battles has at last fallen. The pilot, tcho
.ceahsred ne storm in the 6ercest hurricanes Of pol
zeal strife, looks longer to the compass or the
clouds to guide US; and the Christian as well as sage
and patriot Of the Hermitage still prayed for
his country, after the power to do aught else had
ceased-has gone to his great and glorious reward,
nnar IN fta rfTar x ,ok
some deserved tribute to his memory, and try to
profit by his bright example.
How can we do this best, in the few mournful mo-
ments now allotted TO that object
Most OF the incidents in life 30 distinguished an
that of Gen. Jackson, are too familiar TO make
repetition of them either necessary or useful.
We al-from lisping childhood to palsied age
know that he was one of the survivors Of those who
bed in glorious revolutions and that his charac-
ter was one of that strong cast--run in that iron
mould formed amidst its trials and dangers. We
have all heard, when not seem Of the hardy habits,
and almost heroic powers, which belonged to that
great struggle and-whch, 80 strikingly embodied in
the majestic form of patriot chief lived TO bless
later age, and aid our country in other trials of the
cabinet a. well as the camp. Statuary and painting
and history, no less than the school-roo, the hum
bic freside, the village busting, and every anniver-
sary Of the independence he helped to win and de-
fend, have all Wed in making acquainted with the
principal outlines of his figure, his mind and those
sgnal victories both in peace and war, that have
rolled him SO high among the warriors and states
men Of the era he adorned.
We all know, also, that, retiring from the public
stage, covered with the plaudits and honors Of a
grateful people, he has for years pursued the peace
ful employment Of planter, shedding benign in
finence by his example on all around him; and
though not mnglng IN the turmoil Of politics, still
lending an anxious eye and heart to advance his
country's greatness-till the lamp of life at last
burnt out in its socket and in sight Of the grave of
her he loved BEST his spirit departed TO Join hers as
he hoped, in happier and q holier abode. Thus
did the patriarch sink to his last rest.
But after the close Of such life, all is not over
with It, even here Though the cold clay sleeps as
insensble to our praise and grief the veterans
sword in its scabbard--though
Gle knows not-he heeds noto--and m
mo sound can awake him to glory AGAIN.
yet such life is still powerful it continues 10
speak 70 the world And fit, grateful, and a
beneficial inquiry is, what does it speak, What
lessons do its thrilling trials teschi What were its
great characteristics tendencies, and example, What
do we derive from il of good, and what are the pr
waite and public obligations TO its memory, both of
ourselves and our posterty1
Whether we look to his early years, or to their
meridian spendor or their beautiful close, they
seem TO me equally full of instruction. Without
the wealth or powerful connexions, which even in
republics are sometimes passports TO fame, he first
.fPssNS~ ~. aAc suCoHo Va puVuS uCtiOu as uu
orphan. However inauspicious this may have
seemed for that brilliant destiny which afterwards
awaited him, he soon displayed an energy and
perseverance, in laying the foundations of an educa
ton, which are full Of encouragement to the most
lowy and unfriended. How much was his condi-
ton at that time emblematic Of his country's-both
surrounded by prlvations and perils-and both, by
the exercise of those vigorous efforts which de-
serve success soon enabled to emerge, and, through
many adverse gales of fortune, advance to those
high honors and greatness which have since crowd
ed their career
After a hurried preparation for the bar, he soon
becomes launched into the breakers and storms Of
professional life.
Only few years, spent in the agtating scenes Of
business, were necessary to develop his integrity
and genius in such bold relief to attract that gem
eral confidence which paved the path to so many
responsible trusts. ff
his companions at that time have mostly gone
before him to better world; but have frequently
heard the late Judge Anderson describe the early
appearance at the bar Of the future hero and Pres-