Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-06-28
By Masser & EiseIy
Proceedings ofthe New York Historical So.
ctety on the Death of General jackson.

my ana discussion relauVe 10 tne 1uneral Ohse- |
quies of General jackson. The Society did it.
selfthe honor to pass resolutions, appointing
Committee to cooperate with the Common
Councils and other public bodies in their ar
rangements for suitable observances. But there
were some spirits in that body who showed their
illiberalily and vindictveness, by opening the
measure. One individual, named Fessenden,
even indulged in gross attack upon the char
acter OF The deceased patriot, and made some in
decent allusion to his sins and his repentance
The Kisses and other marks of disapprobation
which interrupted his remarks were Just and
deserved rebuke. Mr. Charles King also op.
posed the resolution. How different was the
conduct of a really great man-that of Daniel
Webser-the following remarks will show:-
Mr.. WFBRTER's REMARKs-Nothng could
be more natural or proper than that this Society
should take respectful notice ofthe disease of
so distinguished a member OF lis body. Accus.
toned occasionally to meet the Society, and to
enjoy tho communications that are made to it,
and proceed from it, Illustrative of the history
of the country and lis government, have plea
sure in being present at this time also, and on
this occasion, on which an element so mournn
mingles itself. Gen. Andrew Jackson has been
from an early period conspicuous in the service
not without long intervals so far as respects his
connection with the General Government. Ii
is fifty years, think, since he was member
of the Congress of the .. States, and at the in
slant, sir, do not know whether there be H.
wing an associate of General jackson in the
House of Representatives of the United States
at that day, with the exception of the distin-
guished and venerable gentleman who is now
President of this Society, recollect only of
the Congress Of 'l6, a, this moment now living,
bnt one, (Mr. Galatir,) though may be mis-
taken General Jackson, Mr.. President, while
he lived and his memory and character, now
that he has deceased, are presented to his coun-
try and the world in different views and rela-
tions. He was soldicr-a general officer
and acted no unimportant part in that capacity.
l'c raised by repeated elections, to the high.
est station in the civil government of his coun.
try, and acted part certainly not obscure nor
unimrortan in that character and capacity. In
regard to his military service, | participate in
the general sentiment of the whole country, and
| believe of the world. That he was soldier
| of dauntless courage, great daring ard perseve.
| rance--nn officer OF skill. and arrangement and
foresight are truths universally admitted. Du-
ring the period in " hich he administered the
/ general government of our country, it was my
| fortune, during The whole period OF it, TO be Il
member of the Congress of the L. States, and,
/ as is well known it was my misfortune not TO be
able tu concur with many ofthe most important
measures of his administration.
Entertaining himself his own views, and with
power Of inpressng his own views to re-
markahle degree upon the convictions and ap.
proba,ions of others. he pursued such course
as he thought expedicnt in the circumstances
in which he was placed. Entertaining on ma
ny questions of great importance different opin
ions, it was of course my misfortune to differ
from him, aud that difference gave me great
pain, because, in the whole course of my public
lite, it has been far more agreeable to me 10 sup
port the measures of the government than to be
called upon by my Judgment and sense of what
was best to be done to oppose them. desire tC
see the government acting with an unity ofspi
rit in all things relating to its foreign relations
especially and generally in all great measures
ofits domestic policy, as far as is consistent
with the exerc.e OF perfect Independence a
mongst its members. But lift was my misfortune
10 differ from General jackson on many or mos
of the great measures uf his administration
there were occasions, and those not unimpor
tant, in which felt 1t my duty, and according
to the highest sense Of that duty, to conform Il
his opinions, and support his measures. Their
were junclures in his administration--perio
which | thought important ard cri,cal--iI
which the views that he felt it 10 tie his duty t
adopt corresponded entirely with my sentiment
; in regard to the protection of the best interest
Of the country, and the institutions under whic
we live and it was my humble endeavor O
these occasions to yield to his opinions and mea
sures the same cordial support as if had neve
| differed from him before, and expected never I
differ from him again. That General Jackso
was marked character-that he had yer
remarkable influence over other mems opinion
i that he had great perseverance and resoll
ton in civil as well as in military udministrt
= tion, all admit Nor do think the candid
y mongst mankind will ever doubt that il was h
desre-lningled with whatsoever portion of