The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-10-12

nelSnOOrS, his slaves; anu tnlS feet some
qualifications for giving, from my long and
varied acquaintance with him. First. his
intimate and early sfriend-then rude
upture--aiterwards friendship and intima-
cy Tor twenty years, and until his death;
in all forty years, of personal observation,
in the double relation of friend and foe,
and in all the walks of life. public and
private, civil and military.
The first time that General Jackson was
at Nashville, Tennessee, in I799-he on
tho Bench. a Judge OF the then Superior
Court land a youth of seventeen. back
in the crowd. He was then remarkable
m an, and had his ascendant over all who
approached him. not the effect of his high
judicial station, nor Of the senatorial rank
which he had held and resigned, nor OF
military exploits, for he had not then been
to war. but the effect of personal qualities
cordial and graceful manners. hospita.
BILE temper. elevation Of mind, undaunted
spirit, generosity and perfect integrity. In
charging the jury in the impending case,
he committed slight solecism in Ian
guage, winch grated on my ear. and lodg-
ed on my memory. without derogaiing in
the least from the respect which he ins pir-
ed. and without awakening the slightest
suspicion that was ever to be engaged in
smoothing his diction. The first time
spoke with him was some few years after,
at a (then) frontier town in Tennessee.
when he was returning from southern
visit, which brought him through the tow
and camps of some of the Indian tribes.
In pulling off his over-coat Isperceived on
the white lining of the turning down sleeve.
a dark speck, which had lite and motions
| brushed it off, and put the heel Of my
shoe upon it--little thinking that ! was ev.
er TO brush away from him game Of a very
different kind. He smiled; and we began
a conversation, in which he very quickly
revealed leading trait OF his chara cter-
that of encouraging young men in their
laudable pursuits. Getting my name and
parentage, sndlearning my intended pro-
fession, he manifested regard for me, said
he had received hospitality at my father S
house in North Carolina. gave me kind in
ytatons to visit him. and expressed be-
iietthatI would do well at the bar-gcn-
erous words. which had the effect of pro-
moting what they promised. Soon after,
he had a further opportunity to show his
generous feelings. was employed in a
criminal case OF great magnitude. where
the Oldest and ablest counsel appeared
Haywood, Graudy. Whteside-and the
trial of which General Jackson attended
through concern for the fate Of friend
As junior counsel / had to precede my ell
ders. and did my best; and, it being on
the side of his feelings. he loundmy effort
10 be better than&it was. He complement
ed me greatly. and from that time our in
timacy began.
| soon after. became his aid, he being a
ajor General in the Tennessee militia
made so by majority ofone vote. How
much often depends upon one vote!--and
after that was habitually at his house;
and, as an intimate, had opportunities to
know his domestic lie. and at the period
when it was least understood and mos,
misrepresented. He had resigned his
place on the bench Of the Superior Court
as he had previously resigned his place
in the Senate ofthe United States. and liv
ed oa superb estate OF some thousand
acres, twelve miles from Nashville, then
hardly known by its subsequent famous
name of the lHermiiage--a name chosen
for its perfect accord with his feelings; 70,
he had then actually Withdrawn from the
stage Of public life, and from state
feeling well known 10 belong to great tai
ent when finding no theatre for its active
He was careful farmer
everything himself, seeing
that the fields and fences were in gooI
order, the stock we'll attended, and III,
slaves comfortably provided for His house
was the seat of hospitality, me resort o
friends and acquaintances and Of all stran
gers visiting the state-and the more a
greeableio all from the perfect conformity
of Mrs. Jackson's disposition to his own
But he needed some excitement beyon,
that which farming life could afford, ant
found it for some years in the animatins
sports ofthe turf. .He loved fine horses
racers of speed and boitom-owned sew
eral-and contested the four mile heat
wi,hsthe best that could be bred. or bought
or broughtto the State. land for large sums
That is the nearest TO gaming that | eve
knew him to come. Cards and the cocl
pit have been imputed to him, but mos
erroneonsly. | never saw him engaged
in either Duels were usual in that time
and he had his share of them. with the
unpleasant concomitants; but they passed
away with all.lheir animosiHes. and he ha
often been seenezealously pressing the ad
vancement Of those against whom he hat
but lately been. arrayed in deadly hostility
His temper was placabe as well as irasci
ble. and his reconciliations were cordia
and sincere. OF thatamy own case was
signal instance. There was deep seat
ed vein of piety in him unaffected by show
ing itself in his reverence for divine wor
ship, respect for the ministers of the Cos
ipel, their hospitable reception in his house
and constant encouragement Of all tn
| pious tendencies of Mrs. Jackson. An,
when they both afterwards became mem
bers of church it was the natural an
regular result Of their early and cherishe
feelings. He was gentle in his house an
aliyesio the tenderest emotions; and OF thi
Lean give an instance, greatly in con
trast with his supposed character, an
worth more than "a long gdiscourse in show
ing whatythat character really was. l al
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