The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-30
EDITORS EsPoNDENC


To the Editor Of the Union:
Sra: This was the day set apart by the citizens
of Richmond and Manchester for paying funeral
honors to the memory of Gen. Andrew Jackson. AT
early hour were to be seen, in various quarters
signs of preparation for the ceremony. The stores
generally suspended; flags suspended half-staf
at the capitol and at the artillery gun-house;in-
deed nearly all seemed willing participate in fupe
raj rites to one by whose ''energy and renown our
national character was raised to height Of glory
never before attained by the American republic"
To you, Mr.. Editor, the sight would have been
mournful and pleasing;- mournful, in rejecting on
the deep loss which the country has sustained in the
demise of one whose every thought and action was
for the welfare of his country; pleasing to behold
how political prejudices may be laid aside for the mo-
ment, even in Richmond, (the "Gibraltar of whg-
ery;'0 and that however men may differ politically,
yet, when called on to pay the last sad tribute to
the memory Of distinguished patriot, none reader,
and few more willing, than the metropolitan citizens
of the Old Dominion Yes they came, citizens and
as soldiers, and largely participated in the obseques
the illustrious Jackson; who TO use the words of
the orator Of the day. "when monuments and mar
bic shall have crumbled into dust, will be remem-
bered with praise by generations yet unborn"
About 10 o'clock, the procession formed in front
of the Military Hall, in Main street, in the follow
in order: Henrico Dragons, Capt. Sherwin McRca;
Richmond Light Dragons, Capt. Worth; Richmond
Fayette Artillery, Capt. Thos. H. Ellis Richmond
Blues, Capt. Geo w. Mumford; Richmond Scarlet
Guard, Capt. Gales Scaton; Richmond Grays, Capt.
Ro. G.. Scott, jr.; State Guard, Lieut. Gay COM
manding; officers of the army and navy; governor
and council; mayor and councimen of the city; ct-
on FOOT citizens in carriages and on horseback,
&c. Thus formed, the procession proceeded up
Main street to Ninth, up Ninth to Broad street,
down Broad street to the African church. On ar
irving at the church, the seats were soon filled, and
the crowd was great that hundreds were COM
PEELED to leave, amongst whom were number of
ladies'. A most appropriate prayer was then put up
to the Throne of Grace by Rev. DR.. Plumer of the
Presbyterian church; after which, the orator Of the
day, Andrew Stevenson, esq., rose and delivered one
of the most eloquent and interesting discourses
which it has ever fallen to my lot to listen to. The
large auditory were enchanted by the soul-strring
appeals Of the orator, and his beautiful sketches
Of the services and character of General An
drew Jackson; the ability which he displayed in
the performance of the various trusts confded to
him by his counuymen; his devotion to the welfare
of his country his undaunted courage; his high re-
gard for honor; his Observation-Disclosures; his abiding
confidence in, and his acknowledgment on all occa-
sions of, the goodness and mercy of an overruling
Providence, &c. But shall not attempt even sketch
of Mr.. Stevenson's remarks--fuly satisfied Of my
inability do anything like justice to this polished
masterpiece Of oratory. You, Mr. Editor, know
Mr. Stevenson, and Of what he is capable, when a
great important subject is to be treated Of and
had you been present on this occasion, you could
OtnerWlSe
near two hours did his auditory with deepest atten-
ton listen to the words of wisdom as they fell from
his lips The drenching rain which poured down
for fifteen minutes could not drive away numbers
who stood at the windows, outside of the church.
The Grafton is pronounced by all TO have been
most finished production, and If possible as adding
another laurel to the chaplet that adorns the brow OF
the orator.
have no acquaintance with Mr.. Stevenson: con-
sequently, it cannot be supposed that private friend
ships or personal favors lead me to speak of his
oration as stamping him finished scholar, an able
orator, an accomplished statesman, with one of the
first minds of the age. When skillful genius and
the highest talents exhibit themselves in the teach
ings Of an orator, cannot withhold from him my
humble tribute of praise, however needless-un
hope Mr.. Stevenson will furnish copy of his ora
| ton for publication. Such production cannot be
too widely circulated. All will be interested, and
many instructed, by its perusal.
| The services were closed at the church by beau
tiful and touching prayer, full of.Patrotlsm and
feeling, by Rev. <. l.. Msgoon, of the Second Bap-
fist church. Twcnty-seven guns were then fired by
Capt. Ellis's artillery company, and the crowd as
persed-nothing having transpired calculated to dis
turb for a single moment the good order and hnr-
mony which existed throughout the day.
| Very respectfully, &C., A. b.
p.S.-The stand taken by the 'Union,'' on the Or
egon question, is highly spoken Of here; and it is
4 believed that freSiucnt IOih VIII PoSt-
ton as marked out in the inaugural moth
ing that is not rght-submitting to nothing wrong.
The whole country with some few Janatcai excep-
tons) will sustain him, let John Bull buster as he
may. II is hoped that this vexed question may be
amcaby settled; but, Gen. Cass says, at is better
to fight in defence of the first foot of ground than the
last" So il we cannot get peace without dishonor
| gire s tcdr! And, to the words of Rev. Z. L.
Magoon, Tin the prayer alluded to above "Lberty
must be preserved, even at the sacrifice Of peace
Alb.