Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-06-27

speech of Mr. Webster, before the New YORK. a.
torical Society the occasion of the death of Co..
Jackson
Nothing could be more natural or proper ,h..
that this society should take a respectful notice ~
the decease of SO distinguished a member ~ "
body. Accustomed occasionally to meet the soo;'
ty, and to enjoy the communications that are msd.
to il, and proceed from il, illustrative of the ~,
ry Of the country and its government, have nls,,
in being present at this time also, and on ,bi.
occasion, on which element so lnournful .a;a
giles itself Gen. Andrew Jackson has been fan
an early period conspicuous in the service and T.;
the councils of the country, though not ,y,,Ln'
long intervals, far respects hrs come xion i,a
the general Government. 1t is fifty years th;nl
since he was a member of the Congress oc ,h
United States, and at the instant, sir | do ~,
know whether there be living an associate of O.
jackson in the House of Representatives of ,ba
United States at that day, with the exception or
the distinguished and venerable gentleman who
now President Of this Society. recoect onln ar
the Congress of SO, at this moment now lvirS
but one-Mr Gallatin--though may be mistakes
Gen. Jackson, MIR President, while he lived md
his memory and character, now that he is dacs,s
ed. are presented TO his country and the world IN
different views and relations. file was soldier
general oilicer-and acted no unimportant mari i;
that capacity. He was raised by repeated elect.
ions TO the highest station in the civil goyernmen,
of his country, and acted part certainly not ob'
/ scurc or unimportant in that character and can,
city.
In regard TO his military services, particioae in
/ the general sentiment Of the whole country and /
believe of the world That he was a soldier of
dauntless courage-great daring and perseverance
An officer Of skill and arrangement and oresuh,
are truths universally admitted. During the per,,
cd in which he administered the general govern
ment off The country, il was my fortune during the
whole period of it to 6e member of the Congres,
of the United States, and, as it is well known 4
! was my misfortune not to be able TO concur with
many of the most important measures of his ad.
ministration Entertaining himself, his own views
I and with power Of lmpressIng his own views To
| remarkable degree, upon the convictions and an
probation of others, he pursued such course as he
thought expedient in the circumstances in which
he was placed. Entertaining on many questiopso Of
great importance, different opinions, it was Of
course my misfortune TO differ from him, and that
difference gave great pain, because, in the
whole course of my public lie, it has been far more
agreeable to me to support the measures of the GOV.
eminent than to be called upon by NV iudgment
and sense of what best to be done 70 oppose
them. | desire 10 see the government acting with
unity of spirit in all things relating 10 its foreign
relations, especially and generally in all great
measures Of its domestic policy, far is conss.
tent with the exercise Of perfect independence a.
mong its members. But If il was my misfortune to
differ from General Jackson on many or most of
the great measures of his administrations there
were occasions, and those not unimporlant, in
which felt it my duty, and according to the high.
est sense Of that duty, 10 conform 10 his opinions
and support his measures. There were unctures
in his admnstration-peri which ] thought I'M
porant and criical-in which the views that he
felt 10 be his duty to adopt, correspondent entirely
with my sentiments IN regard TO the protection Of
the best interests of the country and the nstilu
? tons under which we live and it was my hum
Bile endeavor on these occasions to yield to bis
] opinions and measures, the cordial support
f if had not differed from him before, and expected
4, never to differ from him again
That General Jackson a marked character
> a strong characier-lhat he had very remarkable
influence over other mems opnions-that he had
great perseverance and resolution in civil as well
, as in military administration, all admit. Nor do
e think that the candid amongst mankind will
1 doubt that 1t his desre,-mngIed with what
soever portion of disposition TO be himself instru-
mental IN that exaltatlon-to elevate his country
TO the highest prosperity and honor. There is one
sentiment, particularly, to which recur, always
e with feeling of appreciation and gratitude. From
: an early period Of his undertaking to administer
the affairs of the government, he uttered senti-
ment dear to me-expressve of n truth of which
4 | am most profound convnced-a sentiment set
ting forth the necessity the duty, and the patriot.
ism of maintaining the union of these states Zap.
plausel Mr. President, am old enough to recol.
lect the deaths of all the Presidents of the United
: States who have departed this life, from Washing
ton down. There is no doubt that the death of an
his county, and partaken largely ofits regard
10 fill that high office, always produces-has pro-
duced, hitherto, strong impression upon the pub
4 lie mind. That is right. 1t is right that such
should be the impression upon the whole commu
nifty, embracing those who particularly approved
y and those who did not particularly approve the po-
e litcal course Of the deceased.
J All these distinguished men have been the cho-
u sen oftheir country. They have fulfilled their sta
= ton and duties upon the whole, in the series that
T have gone before us, in manner reputable and
: distinguished, Under their administration, in the
course of fifty sixty years, the government gen.
! orally speaking, has prospered, and under the gov.
D eminent, the people have prospered. 1t becomes,
r then, all to pay respect when thus honored
. called to another world Mir President, we may
. well indulge the hope and belief, that il was the
feeling of the distinguished person who is the sub
ject of these resolutions, in the solemn days aud
: hours of closing lie-that it his wish if he had
e committed few or more errors in the administration
ofthe government, their influence might cease with
e him; and that whatever ofgood he had done, might
1 be perpetnated. Let us act upon the same feeling
and whatever Of true honor and glory he acquired
let all hope that it will be his inheritance for ev'
: er Aud Whatever OF good example, or good Prin-
= ciple, or good administration, he has established
let US hope that the benefit of it may also be per-
petual.
( Mr. Webster resumed his seat amid general ex
e pressions of applause.
e To the onnunciation of Gen. JacksOn's death
II the Charleston Mercury adds
: So has passed from life, one of the fbodest, mos
;, active, untirng and controlling minds Of this age
the man whose words came nearer 10 the potency
oflaw than any who survive him in our country
For more than thirty years he has been grea
= Chief-the pride and almost worship OF great poT
: ton of his countrymen-eavng traces OF his merry
" and energetic nature deeply craven on the military
ntN ~