Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-01
COL. BENToNs HISTORY.
[ANxo 1887, MARTIN VAN BuREN, PREsIDENT.]
Retiring and Death Of Gcmeral J1cxson.


portico of the capital, one OF the cltlzens VINO
to witness the Inauguration Of the new Presi-
dent, and no way distinguished from them, except
by his place the left hand OF the Presidentelect
The Clav was beautifl-cear sky balmy vernal sun,
tranquil atmosphere and the assembage immense.
On foot in the large IN front OF the steps, or
derby without troops, and closely wedgcd together,
their faces turned to the porticoprcSenting to the
beholders from all the eastern windows the appear
ance of field paved with human faccS-thls vast
crowd remained riveted to their places, and pro-
foundry silent, until the ceremony of inauguration
was over 1t was the stiffness and silence of reYe
and Affection and there was no room Tor mis-
take as to whom this mate and impressive homage
was rendered. For once, the rising was ccilpScd py
the setting sun. Though disrobed OF power, ana
retiring to the shades of private e 1t was evident
that the great exPresidcnt the absorbing object
of this intense regard At the moment that he be-
gan to descend the broad steps of the portco to take
his seat in the open carriage which was 10 ocar MIN
away, the Deep repressed feeling OF the dense mass
broke forth acclamationS and cheers bursting from
the heart and filling the air-suchs power never
commanded, man in power ever received 1t
was the affection, gratitude and admiration OF the
living age sautng for the last time great man. 1t
was the acclaim of posterty, breaking from the boc
SONS of contemporaries 1t was the anticipation OF
homage to the hero-patrlot
who all his life, and in all the circumstances OF his
life in peace and in war, and glorious in cach had
been the friend of his country devoted to her. regard
less of SELF Uncovered and bowling, with a look OF
unaffected humility and thankfulness, he acknowl-
edged in mute signs his deep sensibity to this at-
fecting overflow of popular feeling. l was looking
down from side window, and felt an emotion Which
had never passed through before. l had seen
the inauguration of many Presidents, and thcir go
ing away, and their days of state, vested with pow
cr and surrounded by the spendors of the first mag
istracy of great republic But they all appeared
to ME as pageants brief to the view, Unreal to the
touch and soon to vanish. But here there seemedto
be a realty-a real scene-a man and the people
he, laying down power and Withdrawing through the
portals of everlasting fame; they, sounding in his
the everlasting paadits of unborn generations
Two days after, the patriot exPresident in the
car which bore him to his desired secluson-I saw
him depart with look of quiet enjoyment which
bespoke the inward satisfaction of the soul at ex-
changing the of Office for the repOse of home
History poetry, oratory marble and brass will hand
down the military exploits of jackson; this work
will commemorate the events of his civil admlnlSr
ton, not less glorious than hsmtary achievements,
great they were and this brief notice of his last
appearance at the American capitol is intended to
preserve some faint memory of scene the grandeur
of which impressive to the beholder, and the
solace of which must have been so grateful to the
heart of the departing patriot
Eight years afterwards he died at the Hermitage,
in the full possession of all his faculties and strong
to the last in the ruling passion of his soulove OF
country. Public history will do justice to his pub
lie life; but further notice is wanted of hm-a no
tice of the domestic man-of the man at home, with
his wife, his friends, his neighbors, his slaves; and
this feel some qualification for giving, from my long
and varied acquaintance with him. First, his init
mate and early friend-then a rude rupturc-after-
wards friendship and intimacy for twenty years, and
until his death in all forty years of personal OBJ
scrvation 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 saw General jackson was at
Tennessee, in 1799-he on the Bench, a
Judge of the then Superior Court-and youth of
seventeen, backsin the crowd lie was then re-
markable man, and had his ascendant all who
approached him, and the effect of his high judicial
station 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, hospitable temper,
elevation of mind, undaunted spirit, generosity and
perfect integrity. In charging the jury in the i'm
pending case, he committed slight solcciSm in Ian
guage which grated on my year, and lodged on my
memory, without derogatng in the least from the
spect which he inspired, and without awakening the
slightest suspicion that | was to be engaged in
smoothing his dction The first time spoke with
him was some few years after at Chem frontier
town in Tennessee, when he returning from
southern visit, which brought him through the towns
and camps of some of the Indian tribes. In pulling
off his over-coat perceived on, the white lining of
the turning down sleeve, dark speck, which had
life and motion. brushed it off, and put the heel
of my shoe upon little thinking that was ever
to brush away from him game of a very different
kind. He smiled !; and we began conversation in
which he very quickly revealed leading trait of his
VI III
laudabe pursuits. Getting my name and par ntage
and learning my intended profession he manifested
regard for me, said he had received hospitality at
my fathers house in North Carolina gave me kind
invitations to visit him, and expressed belief that
would do well at the bar-generous words, which
had the effect of promoting what they promised
Soon after he had further opportunity to show his
generous feelings. | employed in a criminal
case of great magnitude where the oldest and abest
counsel appeared-IIaywood, Grundy, Whtcsidc-
and the trial of which General jackson attended
through concern for the fate of friend. AS junior
counsel had to precele my elders and did my best
effort to be better than it was He compmented me
greatly, and from that time our intimacy began.
soon after became his aid he being Major Gen
eral in the Tennessee militia-made so by majority
Of one vote. How much often depends upon one
yotel-and after that was habituay at his house;
and, as an inmate had opportunities to know his do
nestle life and at the period when it was least I'M
derstood and most misreprcsented. He had resigned
ais place on the bench of the Superior Court he
had previously resigned his place in the Senate of the
United States and lived on superb estate of
thousand acres twelve miles from Nashville, then
hardly known by its subsequent famous name of the
hermitage name chosen for its perfect accord
With his feelings; for he had then actually withdrawn
from the stage public life and from state of feel
ing well known to belong to great talent when find
ing no theatre for its active employment lie was
careful farmer, overlooking everything himself see
ing that the fields and fences in good order the
stock we'll attended, and the slaves comfortably pro-
vded for His home the seat of hospitality the
resort OF friends and acquaintances, and of all stran
gers visiting the State-and the more agreeable to
all from tue perfect conformity of Mrs Jackson's dis
position TO his own. Buthe needed some excitement
beyond that which a farl,ain I;Fn could oFor5I .nd