The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-08-22

chivalrous and necessary.
We must Judge such man by his cir
cumstances, not by ours; and tried by
this standard, l think what Walter Scott
said Of covenanter, was true Of Andrew
Jackson. ellis faults were those of his
times and associates, his virtues were
eminently his own"
The convictions Of the sincerity Of
Gen. Jackson, Of his willingness TO do
what he believed the good of the country
demanded, withou. respect to friend or
foe, was, one element Of his great popu-
larity. Mankind love sincere and rcso-
lutte character, and | hope politicians will
learn from the example of Gen. Jackson,
that honesty is the best policy" while
perhaps he himself would have been more
wise had he sometimes lent more open
ear 10 the counsels Of his judcious friends.
The sanction which the early example
and the great name Of Gen. Jackson gave
to duelling, we must all deplore.
But we must remember that in Office he
struck at once from the rolls Of the navy
the names Of two officers who had enga-
ged in duel, showing that his ripper
judgment disapproved the violence Of his
youth. In the early part of his last sick
ness, he said ; May my enemies find
peace; may the liberty of my country
endure forever" This was the spiri, in
which he died, the spirit which | hope
all his friends will cultivate.
General Jackson's defects were as open
as his virtues. He concealed nothing and
the eyes of millions watched his errors.
| will palllate none.
But among his defects known TO the
nation, has he ever shrunk a, any sacri-
flee TO discharge every pecuniary obliga-
ton ; Once he exchanged a delightful
villa for home IN the Wilderness, to pav
the debts assumed for friend. Has he
ever shrunk in bearing his testimony TO
the value of temperance and religion
Has he ever neglected the poor to latter
the rich Has he ever refused a well
authenticated claim on his charity, wheth-
er from friend or foe, whether for an OBJ
ject secular or religious Has he ever
forgotten friend in adversely, or received
at the hands of any one an obligation
which he did not endeavor to discharge !
Has he ever forborne to bear his tes,i-
mony to the truth and value of the chris
tian religion, or absented himself on the
Sabbath from the worship Of Almighty
God Has he ever failed TO treat with
kindness ministers of the gospel-to open
his house and his purse TO such as were
in poverty and in want! Has he not
again and again sacrificed ease, and home,
and money, and put in peril reputation
and life, TO defend his country f!
If with so many claims TO national re-
spoct and gratitude, il be still true that the
prompt decision, powerful will and ardent
temper, which made him one of the grea
test military commanders Of this or any
age, sometimes tempted him to precipita
ton, violence and obs,inacy, it only
shows that he was a man, and, like Other
men, liable 10 err.
We cannot have the strength of the
wind 10 swell our sails without liability
TO tempests-nor the warmth of fire with
out the danger of conllagrations. So nei
Their can we find in man great abiltie:
and energy for good without correspon
ding infelicilics. To this our great Wash
ington alone seems to have been an exccp
ton. 1t is enough to excite our best fee
lngs in view of the death of Jackson, i
we can all say, as believe we can, tina
in spite of the defects, moral or political
imputed TO him, he had lofty patriotism
large, honest and brave heart, and th
ends he aimed at were his country's! =
II was not till the storms of his publ
life were over, that he gave his atlentio
practically TO religion. The influence G
pious mother left always on his mind
firm faith in christianity, and profoun
reverence for its doctrines and institution:
but, like too many others he procras,n;
ted the great duty Of repentance toward
God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
When in Cincinnati, fifteen years age
beautiful young lady asked him to wri
, in her album. He wrote
"Whcn can read my title clear
To mansions in the skies,
I'll bid farewell to all my fears,
: And wipe my weeping eyes"
. ANDREW JACKSON.
y Politicians saw in this, cant, preten
e or imbecility. Those who knew Ge
J. JacSson's early life, saw in i, prncipl
/? ofpieiy planted by departed mother, al
,l struggling in a masculine intellect a