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

though Jackson had his passions aud his
violences, they were for men and enemies
those who stood up against him-and
not for women ard children, or the weak
and helpless. for all whom his feelings
were those of protection and support.
His hospitality was active as well as
cordial, embracing the worthy in eve-
ry walk of life. and seeking out worthy
objects to receive it, no matter how
obscure. OF this | learned a charac-
teristic instance in relation 70 the son of
the famous Daniel Boone. The young
man had come to Nashville on his fathers
business, to be detained some weeks and
had his lodging at a small tavern towards
the lower part OF the town. General Jack
son heard of it-sought him outbound
him. took him home to remain as long as
his business detained him in the country
saying Y our fathers dog should not stay
in tavern where have house." This
was heart! and had it from the young
man himself. long after, when he was a
state senator Of the General Assembly OF
Missouri, and as such nominated me for
the United States Senate at my first cleo
ton in 182O-his name was Benton Boone,
and so named after my father.
Adherence of debt. public and private.
dislike Of banks and love Of hard money
love ofjustice, and love OF country, were
ruling passions with Jackson; and of these
he gave constant evidences in all stua-
tons Of his life. OF private debts he con
tracted none of his own. and made any
sacrifices to get out OF those incurred for
others. OF this he gave signal instance
not long before the war Of l8l2-selling
the improved part OF his estate. with the
best buildings of the country uponsit, to
pay debt incurred in mercantile ad-
venture to assist young relative, and 60
ing into log houses in the forest part 10
begin a new home and farm. He was liv-
ing in these rude tenements. when he van
quished the British at New Orleans and
probably, view of their rconqueror's dom.
icie would have astonlshed the British Of
ticers as much as their defeat had done.
He was attached to his friends, and to his
country, and never believed any report to
the discredit OF either, until compelled by
proof. He would not believe in the first
reports OF the surrender Of General Hull.
and became sad and oppressed when
forced to believe it. He never gave up a
friend in douhtfut case, or from policy.
or calculation. He was firm believer in
the goodness Of experimenting Provi-
dence, and in the event!ul right, Judgment
and justice of the people. lhave seen him
al the most desperate part of his fortunes.
and never saw him waver in the belief that
all would come right in the end. In the
time of Cromwell he would have been a
puritan. s.-.
The character Of his mind was that ol
Judgment, with rapid and almost intui-
tive perception, followed by instant and
decisive action 1t was that which made
him general and President for the times
in which he served. He had vigorous
Thoughts but not the faculty Of arranging
them in regular composition, either writ,
ten or spoken, and in formal papers usu-
ally gave his manuscriptto an aid, a friend
or. a secretary. to be written over-often
to the loss of fvigor But the thoughts were
his own, vigorously expressed. and will,
out effort, writing withaa rapid pen. and
never blotting or altering; but, as Carlyle
says Of Cromwell, hitting the nail upon the
head as he went. lhave great deal o
his writing now. some on public affairs
and covering several sheets of paper. and
no erasures, or interline aiions anywhere
His conversation was like his writing, a
vigorous flowing current, apparently with
out the trouble of thinking. and always
impressive. His conclusions were rapid
and immovable, hen he was under strong
convictions, though often yielding. on mi
nor points, to his friends. And no mar
yielded quicker when he was convinced
perfectly illustrating the difference between
frmness and obstinacy. OF all the Pres
idents who have done me the honor to lis
ten,to my opinions. there was no one te
whom | spoke with more confidence when
| felt myself TO be in the right.
He had load to carry all his life. re
sulting from a temper which refused com
promises and bargains. and went for /
clean victory, or clean defeat, in every
case. Hence, every step he took wes {
contest, and. it may be added, every con
test was victory. l have already sait
that he was elected Major Gen eral il
Tennessee-an election on which So muol
afterwards depended one vote. Iii,
appointment in the United States regular
army was conquest from the admins
tratien, which had twice refused to ap
point him Brigadier. and once disbandec
him as volunteer general, and only yield
ed to his military victories. His election
as President was a victory over polit
cians-as was every leading event Of hi
administration.
Ihave said that his appointment in tht
regular army was victory over the ad
ministration. and it belongs to the inside
views of history, and to the illustration o
government mistakes, and the elucidaiiol
oftindividual merit surmounting obstacles
to tell howsit was. Twice passed by Il
Egive preference to two others in the west
! Generals Harrison and Winchester, ono,
disbanded, and omitted in all the lists o
military nominations, how did he get a
last TO be appointed Major Generals
was thus: Congress passed an act au
thorizing the President to accept organic
ed corps of volunteers. | proposed Il
General Jackson to raise corps unde
that act, and hold it ready for service
He did so; and with this corps, and som
81 Il. IL ! T.. IL