Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-01-14
REMARKS OF GEN ERAL RANSOM,
AT TIE DEDICATION OF JACK.
SON HALL" AT BRIDGEWATER,
IAN s 1917

one, whose memory, this day will ever recall
The 9Th Of Jauunry--ihe battle of New Orleans
and the name Of Andrew Jackson, will he asso.
cnted TO tho remotest uges, the hero Of this day,
who at New Orleans 'ed the meuusuro OF his
coun,ry's glory the sage of tho Hermitage,
now sleeps with his fathers,
Fail uf years, and crowned with honors he was
garnurod to his rest as tho shock Of corn, fully
ripc to the harvest; but tho events in which he
bore prominent part, will rcmaln-lhey will be
the thca,c of statesmen and historians, III genera
tons yet to come.
In A country like ours, possessing entire Tee
dom of opinion, Of speech and of til, press-enjoy-
ing tn. "iargrsi liberty consistent with civil gov
ornments-dividrd rs II is and must be, into diff
sreut and opposing sects and ptres-it must not
be expected, that any very prominent man OF
anu party, will pass through the various stations of
military OF civil life without opposion-nay, it
man be, oven, of persecution. So 1t WIS with the
father of his counlry,-even before political par
ties, as such, had assumed their positions. So it
was with Adams-Jenerson and Madison-so it
was with the venerable Jackson.
Strictly OF the Iciler,Ouian school in politics, he
necessarily inherited much of the junction."
which was poured with such unsparing bands up
on the head of that grea, apostle of liberty,
Party prejudice was aroused against jackson,
with its utmost strength, and in no section WIS it
more rife, than in New England Thousands be-
lieyed, that in heart, mind and person, he was a
kind Of feHd in human shape culumny, pene-
tralcd even 10 his domestic fire side
But, however yiol mt may be the ebbins and
flowing of human passions; DEATH-the great pa
c:icaor ,Ithe eveler Of man & ornalons, produces
quiet reposo-aud tho men who can disturb the
quiet slumbers ofthe dead, is honored by no one
therefore, in II great measure disarmed, and we
may look calmly and dispassionutely at those great
events, ia which President jackson bore so con
spicuous par, without provoking purity anjmosly
ON the one hand or increasing the charge Of per.
sonu subserviency on the other.
Many Of these events rs well as their conse-
qnences have passed before our eyes-ihcy have
become hisiory--we can therefore look upon them
as upon n mdp- tracing rivers to their souiccs-
effects to their appropriate causes.
Man Is said TO hen Initiative being, and no
fact ia better established, than that much OF
all we know, we have learned of some one, be-
sides, it is pleasing as well as useful, to cunlom
plate noble actions, brilliant achievements, and
exalted patriotism; hence The propriey, as we'll
as the importance Of celebrating great events that
have called forth these actions in an eminent de-
gree; aud of holding up for observation tho actors
themselves the young are Thus led TO initiate und
erNulnte tn, qualities we much admire.
Nations most renowned for wisdom and power
hnse carefully held up as models for the intuition
Of their youth the distinguished men of their respec
live countries. We MAXWELL profit by that exam.
pie. Among the distinguished men Of our land
know of no one, more worthy Of imitation than the
man whose name Is so proudly associated with the
day we celebrated
In order however, to form proper estimation
of tho character Of General Jackson, we must
view him in connection with the varied scenes Of
his even,lu life.
lie WIS born ut Wn1nw, South Carolina, in
l767-he los, his father during his childhood - nj
the age of ii we find him and his Two elder BROTH
era, serving in the ranks of the continent
tai army, pouring out their blood in that con-
test which purchased the liberty of our county,
Jackson was wounded, taken prisoner, but finally
made his escape from the enemy Ills two brothers
fell victims in that mighty struggle.
AT the ago Of l6 his mother died, leaving him
an orphan, without near relative in the land
But the God Of the fa,herless watched over the
boy.
who would have dreamed. That this poor frienn-
less orphan, private soldier, wounded, sick and
prisoner in the hands of an INSCRIPTIONS enemy,
should one day rise 10 command the armies Of the
repnbc' 10 win victories over tho best appoint |
cd armies of that same enemy? Victories hardly |
oquaIIed in the annals of war; Who would have
imagined that this Eriendless boy, would have been
the master spirit of his country; TO guide her coun
ellis und control her armies, sit proudly and firmly |
in the chair of Washington and Jelerson--the
mighty nan ola mighty nai,on? Thus it was.
What 4 beautiful illustration of The happy work.
ing of our own cherished Institutions is here. And
what u powerful inducement does this example af-
ford to tho youth ofour favored land, to industry,
perseverance, and patriotic devotion TO country
Nor is this example solitary, the country is full of
those worthy of imitation.
Let mothers tell it 10 their infant soma, let fllh-
ers repeat it to Incl plent manhood let the young
ponder it ,rcI; lhat here, merit alone, IS crierl-
on for the mos, dignifed officers Of state, .Nercr
had youth, an umpler field!
The means of education during the stormy peri
cd Of the Revolution, were not to be compared
with those which we possess. Nevertheless, young
Jackson devoted some years, to the study OF the
learned languages and at tho nge Of 49,, conf
menced the study Of law Completing this, he re-
turned 10 western Tennessee at the age Of 81 and
commenced his professional career. Signal sue
cess attended him, in II few years, we find him
rising in his profession and in tho estimation of
his fellow citizens. Several state appointments
we're given him, in 1896 he was returned menu
Der of Congress from Tenn.-lhc same year he
,,as elected to the Senntc of the L. 8.
After few months service, he obtained permls-
sion 10 resign and return TO Nashville. The same
year ho was appointed Judge of the Supreme
Cour, orrenn. and Maj Cen of the State
which last appointment, he held unit! the close OF
tho las, war with England.
On the breaking out Of that war, the President
was authorized to call into service $4,000 volun-
teers-Jackson called on his division and was soon
Al the head of q, 900 NEW lh whom he descen-
dod the Mississippi to Natchcz bu. the north be-
coming the immediate theatre Of war. they were
soon diseiarged by order of the war department
Stimulated by British agents, an invelera'e In
dian war broke out at at This time in the west,
and jackson once more took the field. In this
contest, full sweep was offered for the use and de-
ycopment Of those rare military qualities, which
he possessed and which are The gilt oil God. Here
too, he exhibited those fortunately combined quail
tiles of utrepidity and prudence, joined 10 most
perfect knowledge Of man.
The mu,iny OF one of his Brigades, produced by
a wan! of provisions, called forth the lcrmer OF
these qualities in situation, when the slouiest
hear, woald have guaied.
This Brigade was in full March ior home, con-
trary to orders--jackson seized MusEet-
dashed to the head Of the Marching colums-
faced them-presen!ed lis musket and command
cd halt threa,nng with instant dcuth, :he man
who should advance the first step.
,Lo, ,,onJ ,b,t snl;,,ru Iopor,t-