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

u
his sensibilities were awakened, all his indignation
aroused. Whenever he thought he saw DISPOSE
ton TO warp our simple, free, and equal government
into arsiocratc direction, he opposed stern put
honest, uncalcuatng but always successful resist
ance. In some INSTANCES, he may have msludged;
but his impulses were always honest, and sustained
by public appreciation. And il is singular tribute
TO inAexible honesty, well as splendid genius,
that although such his feelings ana ms conduct
towards Great Britain, no American stood higher IN
the estimation of the British public, as nave had
frequent personal opportunities OF knowing ana at
though his mode of presenting our claims on france
interrupted, for time, the diplomatic relations o.
the two countries, and involved, in some degree, a
personal issue with its King, the last portrait OF ms
venerable form was taken for, and al the solicitation
Of, Louis Philippe.
His personal attachments were strong ana I'M
movable--he never forsook friend. open, frank,
ard ingenious in his nature he needed no misrepre-
sensations Of those he loved and cherished no sus-
picion; and this trusting, truthful attachment was
fully returned by his friends; his popularity was
unbounded-the personal devotion to HIM almost
romantic.
His habits in life were simple in the extreme
Frugal in his diet, the uxuries of the presidential
mansion passed by him untouched; modest and
unostentatious, quiet and unpretending, no man
seemed less to covet the notoriety which for the last
thirty years of his life it was impossible to avoid;
distinguished for the natural ease and elegance OF
cent fortune, he would have received unwonted
honors in any foreign land. Yet he never left the
United States; and never expressed desire TO do
So unless ii might be to march into Canada during
the last war. Welded to the endearments of do
nestle and private life, he manifested the sincerity
of his attachment to them, by resgning the success
i've Offices of United States senator, judge of the SUI
preme court, and others which he held and declin-
ing several that were rendered to him, and devoting
himself to his profession and his family.
He never seemed conscious Of personal danger.
By this, do not that he experienced no fear
or still less, that he possessed of courage These
are qualities that may be, and frequently are, found
in the worst of our species. Education, habit, ac-
cident, may invest any one with courage; animals
possess it. But General Jackson had something
more His whole life is studded with examples of
this. refer to few, which are selected as most
unnatural, and most likely to have disturbed his
composure When u young man felt called upon
to attempt an ndgnity upon him, stricken in years,
and President of the United States his cane was in
stantIy raised to chasse him. and he was with DIFF
fcully restrained. When an exasperated mob sur
rounded the Presidents House, and threatened his
life, the marshal offered him of constables;
the military and naval officers volunteered TO him a
guard; the members ofhs cabinet and other friends,
desired to watch with him in his house: he resoue-
ly declined all these offers. Towards evening he
procured two or three guns, and, with only his
nephew and servant in the house, went to sleep as
quietly as an infant in his cradle. When an assas-
sin set upon him in the CAPITOL with doube-bar-
relied pistol loaded, as he was making his way out
from a funeral after one barrel had been snapped
within ten feet of his face, and the other was point
ed at him, he advanced upon the mailman with up
lifted cane and would have struck him to the earth,
bat for the interference OF friends. he was never
taken by surprise--counted no odds--required no
notice. | doubt if ever man lived OF such I'M
movable nerve, who SO entirely unconscious OF
personal danger-so wholly forgetful of himself and
his perils.
His attention to young men was of the most kind
and attentive character. He had no children, and,
as has been so beautifully said of General Wash
ington, Providence denied him children, that he
might be the father Of his country. lie entered
into all the feelings of YOUTH sympathlzed with It's
amusemens and pleasures forgaye Its frallties, was
always ready with advice and assistance for those
who asked either, and manifested a sincere and
warm interest in the conduct and fortunes Of his
young acquaintance. How this added to his fasct
nation, may well be judged.
/ In 1884 he was married to his late wife, Rachel
Donelson, who had previously been divorced from
her husband, Mr.. Richards. She is described as
having been remarkable for beauty, affabiy, and
sweetness of temper; and nothing could exceed The
tenderness and touching devotion of General Jack
son to her kindred. Perhaps do wrong to expose
SO tender and delicate relation as husbands love
to the rude gaze of the public but those who knew
the lamented deceased, would hardly recognise his
character if this distinguished feature were absent,
During her life she had not wish unqualified, no.
want unanticipated Her remotest kindred be-
came as her nearest and dearest relatyes--her or
binary acquaintances his most attached friends
After her DEATH which occurred Just previous 10 his
assuming the presidency, her image was ever at his
side, thoughts of her ever in his mind. he declined
| the honor of an imperial sarcophagus, and only
sought tomb by her side. His dying moments
were cheered, at his request, by bringing her por'
trait in his sight and his last breath waited to heav-
! en- prayer that he might join her He was truly
good man. Not that he passed his days IN deeds
Of ostenatious benevolence--not that he sought ou
splendid affairs, at which to worshp--not that he
attached himself in early life, to particular sect
or adopted particular tenets, and considered al
who differed from him as irretrievably lost His
was not q religion of cline or country, or sect OF
persuasion; but he illustrated IN his daily walk ant
conduct, by acts of private beneyocnce, kind regard
| for all around him, universal charity and love
that true piey of the heart that worshps God every
where and any way, that cannot be feigned, and in
vites no false imitation; and when he came to die
he manifested the courage of a true believer. Dealt
comes in many shapes where it may be met un
moved. In the rage of battle, amid the din of arms
in the confusion and shock of contest, the cheer o
the victors, and the groans of the vanquished, an
told, and can well imagine all sense that life is ii
jeopardy is banished. So, too, where strong man
in the vigor of his health and intellect, in the full
possession of his faculties, is summoned TO yield L
Inc OI CoHsluH'y may Hot ioiSuh'
him.
But to sit for weeks bowed down with bodily an
guish, the eye and the gradually growing dull
the faculties falling TO watch the sands of life surely
and palpably wasting away--if may so speak -thui
Frustrated and cnfeebed to stare death in the face
and describe his approaches in writing to you
/ friends; to summon ones family to the bedside ant
calmly take leave of each member of it; to calmly
await his fatal stroke without inviting avoiding
1.-THE who does this must rise above and beyond thu
alIurements, the yexations, and the pains of Thu
world, and feel an assured hope of glorious i'm
mortality.
So died Andrew Jackson at peace with God ant
man, forgiving his enemies, and invoking blessings
on his country. May it be said of those who arr
now looking into his new grave to cavil and cen
sure, that their last end was like his!
Fellow-citizens, | have thus family and feebly
sketched the character of him whose memory W,
honor. have committed my remarks to paper, be
cause, otherwise, | could not be certain what
should say, and wished carefully TO avoid giving
any offence. know | have imperfecty discharged
the duty assigned to me. have made nothing tina
deserves he nan, Of prpp shoud | wist