Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-11-11


all whom his feelings were those of
protection and support. His hospitality
was active as well as cordial, embracing
the worthy in every walk Of life, and
seeking out deserving objects to receive
it, no matter how obscure. OF this |
learned characteristic instance in rela-
ton to the son Of famous Daniel Boone.
The young man had come to Nashville
on his fathers business, to be detained
some weeks, and had his lodgings at
small tavern towards the lower part Of
the town. General Jackson heard it
sought him outbound him, took him
home to remain rs long rs his business
detained him in the country, saying,
"Your fathers dog should not stay at
tavern where have a house." This
was heart! and had IL from the young
man himself, long after,when he was state
senator Of the General Assembly Of
Missouri, and as such nominated me for
the United States Senate at my first
election In l820-his name was Benton
Boone, and so named after my father
Abhon ence Of debt, public and private,
dislike Of banks and love Of hard money
were ruling passions with Jackson, and
ofthese he gave constant evidences in
all the situations Of life. OF private
debts he contracted none Of his own, and
made any sacrifices to get out OF those
incurred for others. OF this he gave u
signal instance not long before the war
OF lSl2-selling the improved part Of
his estate, with the best buildings In the
country lPon il, to pay debt incurred
In mercantile adventure to assist a
young relative, and going into loy
house in the forest part to begin new
home and farm.
He was living In these rude tenements
when he vanquished the British at New
Orleans; and, probably a vi.w Of thoir
conqu ,ror's domiciio would have aston
ishel the British officers as much as their
defeat had done. He was attached TO his
friends. and to his country, and never
believed In the first reports of the sur
render Of General Hull, and became sad
and oppressed when forced to believe II.
He Eever gave.up friend in adoutfucase,
or from policy, ,or. calculation. He was a
firm believer in the goodness Of superin-
tending Providence, aud in the eventual
right. ia sm,nt, and justice Of the peo-
pie. | have seen him at the most des-
perate 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 pu-
ritan.
The character Of his mind, was that
Of Judgment, with rapid and almost in
tutive perception, followed by instant
and decisive action. twas that which
made him General and President for
the times in which he served. lie had
vigorous thoughts but not the faculty Of
arranging them ia regular composition,
either written Or spokenj and in papers
usually gave his manuscript to an aid, q
friend, or secretary, to be written over
often TO tho loss Of vigor. But the
thoughts were his own. vigorously ex-
pressed, aud without effort; writing with
a rapid pen, and never blotting or alter.
ing; but as Carlyle says Of Cromwell,
hitting the nail upon the head as he
went.
have great deal OF his writing now,
some on public affairs and covering sew
eral sheets Of paper, and no erasures OF
interlineations anywhere. His conver-
; sation was like his writing, various
flowing current. apparently without the
trouble Of thinking, and always impress.
! sive. His conclusions were rapid and
immovable, when he was under the
strong convictions, though yielding on
minor points, to his frienJs. And nc
man yielded quicker when he was con.
/, vinced, perfectly illustrating the differ.
ence between firmness and obstinancy
: OF all the Presidents who have done m,
; the honor TO listen TO my opinions ,ther,
: was no one 10 ~hom spoke With NOR,
confidence when felt myself TO DO In III,
right.
/, lie had load to carry all his life, re
sulslng from temper which refused com
promises aud bargains, aud went for
: clean victory, or clean defeat, In ever,
Case. Hesce, every step be took wal
Q contest, and, II may be added, ever,
contest was victory. I have ALREADY
: said that he was elected a MaIor-G ON
eral In 'rcnnesseo--an election on whlcl
: so much afterwards depended-by on
vote. His appointment In the Unite
states regular army was conquest iron
the administration, which had twice 70
!. fused TO appoint him Brlgadier, an
y once disbanded him as volunteer zen
q oral, aud only yielded 10 his mliiti
= victories. His election as Prcslden
!. was victory over polltieIans-au wa
q every leading event Of his adminlutru
10 ton.
'r | have said that his appointment |
'r the regular army was victory over th
Q administration, and II belongs TO tho |
= lustration OF government mistakes, an
n the eluoldation OF individual merit su
: mounting obstacles, 10 tell how thi
10 was. Twice passed by TO give prelel
Is cnee 20 two others In tho west. (t,ene
n al Harrison and General Winchester
u onoe dlsbanded, and omitted In all n
~ Hats of military nominations, how a
!. he got at last 10 be appointed Mnlo
70 Generall II was thus. Congress pa
" sed an act authorizing the Preside nj
10 accept organised eorps volunteers,
~ proposed TO Gen. Jackson 10 raise
" corps under that act, aud hold II rea,
= ior service. He did 30, and with ii
~ evtfsf fHu a'We WiNtinf ne uufuutru III
lie Greek Indians, and gained the reputatI,
OF which forced bis appointment In Il
u. regular army. drew up the addre
nt which he made 10 his division at q
n time, and when carried II 10 him Ia 4
ey evening found the child and the Ian
between his knees. | raised regime
Im myself, aud made tho speeches at [
~, general muster, which helped 10 raj
na two Others, assisted by a small band
OF frisnds-all feeling confident that II
~, could conquer the first dlfiiculty-ms
na tor the first step--and get him upon Z
W, theatre Of action, he would do the n
! himself. This Ia the way he got Ia
'e' the regular army not only selected
IN the wisdom OF government, but reject
by it--a stone rejected by the mast,
= builders-and worked In by an unse
Fe- hand, TO become the cornerstone OF I
I'm temple. The aged men OF Tennes.