The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-18
26;2

gal FELLow-crTIzENs: This country Tor the last two
weeks has presented picture which every philoso-
pher and patriot should love TO contemplate. On
Saturday. the 9th of this month, an event occurred
in far distant section Of the Union the announce
ment of which, as il passed from quarter 10 quarter
with the celebrity OF communication now 80 extra
ordinary, cansed deep and mournful sensation in
the popular heart, the intensity Of which was GER
tainly exceeded in the present century. Courts
of justice, Legislative and municipal bodies IN SEES
sion, specially assembled for the OCCASION as the
udings came, gave expression to their grief, and I'M
mediatey adjourned The chief magistrate OF the
Union, by public proclamation, directed the business
of government to be suspended. City followed city
in manifestations of sorrow. The emporium oil our
State, unequaled in our young republic ior ITS ex,
tent, its activity its enterprise ana i's continued
strife, hustle, confusion OF trade, bowed down IN
sadness and was hushed in silence All ordinary avo
cations were suspended, and tens Of thousands Of
her citizens marched through her majestic streets in
a funeral procession unexampled in its numbers and
in its solemnity. Public and private buildings were
clad in mourning. Eloquent and touching eulogiums
were delivered and everything betokened that deep
affection had befallen that city. The melancholy
intelligence reaches the capital of our State. The
public authorities of the State and city exhibit the
same feelings of DISTRESS and it is accompanied by
similar marks Of respect and mourning. The mill
tary and civic societies--our citizens without dis
Junction of party--al ages, sexes, and conditions,
assembled to commemorate the event by appropriate
ceremonies Universal grief is depicted on the face of
the people of the United States--profound sorrow
penetrates the popular heart.
Why are these things so, What event is herald
ed that causes this widespread movement What
mean these funeral ceremonies, that we have just
performed What these trappings of wo, that meet
our eyes at every glance' Why is the music that
we have just heard, end which is SO capable of
moving Joy and mirh, now plaintive and so sad!
Why am here, amid many whom am unaccus-
toned TO meet public occasions, addressing you
in strain SO unusual, if not unnatural What uni
versal, pervading crushing affection has befallen
this country?-what calamity has befallen this peo-
plei Ii is, my friends-l see, and feel, and know
that il s-a national mourning for nations loss.
Andrew jackson, who has, IN AN unsurpassed de-
gree, engrossed the public attention for the last
thirty years--a soldier, whose brilliant military
ploits the pride and glory, as they were the no.
BILE defence, Of his country-a statesman, who,
through long, useful, and eventfu public life, was
fully sustained by large majority of the American
peope-and man who had, above all others, the
merit Of attaching to him the warmest regard and,
some think, idolatrous devotion--of an honesty
that all must respect, and simplicity that child
might love ,--Andrew Jackson is dead! and void
is left in the public mind and public heart that we,
probably, shall never live TO filed. We on
y beginning to realize this truth. Startled, stun
ned, hewildered, by the melancholy intelligence,
sufficient time has elapsed TO ascertain the length
and breadth of the loss have sustained; but the
public appreciation of it may be gathered from the
circumstances to which have already alluded. A
stranger to our institutions, and to the character OF
Andrew Jackson, in view of scene such as have
family described, on sight of the assemblage here
present to-day, would naturally inquire, What high
title did the illustrous person hold whom you have
assembled to honor? Or, as in your country titles
unknown, what high station did he occupy al
The time Of his deceased None, sir, none: he was,
and had been for eight years, a private citizen
Then, perhaps, he was neighbour No, sir: his
residence distant thousands of miles. But
probably he was frequent visitor at your city, and
personally well known to the inhabitants No, sir:
believe he never was in Albany; and probably not
a tenth Of the persons present ever saw him. Was
his death sudden No, sir: every mail for months
had been feared as freghted with the tidings
of his deccase. Then he must have had re-
laions dwelling among you, and long line
of the bereaved and sorrowng swell this
crowd, or suggested this demonstrations Alas
no, sir: he had not single blood relation
in the world COMPOUNDED by the popularity
of these circumstances, he might then suggest
that some law had been passed, or some proc
& lamation order issued by some superior pow.
err, directing this assemblage and ceremony. Still
the answer would be, No, sir, mol this is a sponta-
neous gathering Of the people themselves, to do
honor to private citizen who was public benefac-
tor And you, ellow-citizens do right thus to hon.
or the illnsrious dead. II is peculiarly an Ameri
4 can duty. Other countries lavish titles and estates
upon succe ssfu public men, which are transmitted
their descendants pensions are literally bestowed
Z upon them and their families splendid monuments
erected to their memories. But, with us, the
highest title q soldier statesman earn, OF
should wish is that Of being his counry's benefac.
ror--his richest pension the peoples gratitude-his
proudest and most durable monument, to be en-
shrined in their hearts; and Witnessing as we dc
daily, when individuals ofhigh standing and charac-
ter are taken from by death, how rapidly the
progress Of our several avocations, or the occur
renee of more and startling events crowd him
from the public recollection, wecan appreciate the
wisdom and patriotism OF nrresting, even for day
this current which sweeps the things of the present
INTO the oblivion of the past of marking the day by
memorable observances and dedicating it TO mourn
i'll reflection.
By your partially, felIow-citizens, have beer
invited 10 participate in your proceedings this day
II an elaborate euogium upon the character and var
tues of General Jackson had been expected, ] an
snre speaker would have been selected who hal
cultivated more carefully the grace of oraory. If,
minute Of even the stirring events of his ex
traordinary career had been desired, | should have
heel obliged to ask you to excuse me, from want o
lime for preparation. But such IS not my impress
sion of either your feelings or expectations. An
drew Jackson needs no eulogy. The greatness o.
character necessarily mpresses itself upon the ag
in which it exists. No stored urn, or sculpturet
shaft or eloquent recital, IL necessary to nix IN fh
public mind the memory of virtues strongly mark
ed So, too, the deeds of n statesman and patrio
constitute the history of the country; they are found
in elementary bosks of instruction; they are studied
in youth, and reperused in mature age and form
part OF the ordinary information Of our citizens; or
IL TOO recent to be thus written, their bodness ant
briancy and retain the public attention.
Nor is this the time or the occasion for anythn,
like minute narrative of the military and civil ca
reer of Andrew Jackson 1t is natural, however, il
dwelling upon his memory, to recall his appearance
and some Of the prominent features OF his character
and, in connexon with these, the mind necessaril.
rsverts TO a few Of the incidents of his life. d.
not hope in doing this, to bring to your attention
al liar III ia