The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-02-01
General jackson.

nails OF this country BY his greatness and gallant
ry' having just passed makes the reproduction of
this brief and faithful sketch of that great and
glorious man peculiarly appropriate at this time.
| 1t will be read with interest by all who have not
seen il before
He was careful farmer, overlooking every
| thing himself, seeing that the fields and fences
were in good order, the stock well attended, and
the slaves comfortably provided for. His house
was the seat of hospitality, the resort of friends
and acquaintances, and of all strangers visiting
the Stote--and the more agreeable to all from
the perfect contormit, Of Mrs. Jackson's dispo.
sition to his own. But he needed some excite
ment beyond that whicha farming life could af-
ford, and found it for some years in the anima-
ting sports of the turf He loved fine horses
racers ofspeed and bottom-owned several
and contested the four mile heats with the best
that could be bred, or brought to the State, and
for large sums. That is the nearest to gambling |
that ever knew him to come. Cards and the
cock pit have been imputed to him, but most
enormously. never saw him engaged ia either
Duels were usual in that time, and he had lis
share of them, with their unpleasant concomi-
tants; but they passed away with all their ami
mosties, and he has often been seen zealously |
pressing the advancement of those against whom |
he had but lately heen arrayed in deadly hostIi-
! ty. His temper was placableas well as irraci |
BILE, and his reconcilations Were cordial and
rsincere. OF that my own case was a signal in
stance. There was deep-seat9l vein Of piets
in him. Anaf1ectedly showing itself in his revef-
ence for divine worship, respect for the ministers
! of tho Gxocoo1 fbair p
house, and constant encouragement tf all the
! pious tendencies of Mrs Jackson. And when
| they both afterwards became members of the
church, it was the natural and regular results Of
their early and cherished feelings. lie was gen
tie in his house, and alive to the tenderest emo
tions and of this can give an islance, greatly
in contrast with his supposed character. and
worth more than long discourse IN showing
what that character really was. | arrived at his
house one wet, chilly evening in February, and
came upon him in the twilight, sitting alone be-
fore the fire, lamb and a child between his
knees.
He started little. called servant to remove
the two inaoeents to another room. and explan-
ed to me how it was. The child had cried be-
cause the lamb was out in the cold and begged
the child--his adopted son, then not two years
old. The ferocious does not do that, AMI
though Jackson had his passions and his violen-
ces, they were for men and enemies-those who
stood up against him--and not for women and
children. or the weak and hel pless for all whom
his feelings those of protectection and snp-
port. His hospitality was active as well as cor
dial, embracing the worthy in every walk of
life, and seeking out worthy objects TO receive
it, no matter how obscure. OF this l learned
a Characteristic instance in relation to 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 lodgings at a
small tavern towards the lower part of the town
General Jackson heard of it-4sought him out
found him, took him home to remain as long as
his business detained him in the country, saying
's Your fathers dog should not stay in tavern
while have house."
This was heart, and had it from the young
man himself, long after when he was a State
Senator in the General Assembly of Missouri,
and as such, nomina ted me for the United States
Senate at my first election in 1820-his name
was Benton Boone, and so named after my ia
ther
Adherence of debt, public and private, dis
like of banks, and love of hard money-love Of
justice and love of country, were ruling passions
with Jackson; and these he gave constant evil
| dence of in all the situations of his life. OF
private debts he contracted none of his own.
! and made any sacrifices to get out of those in
cnrred for Others. OF this he gave signal in
stance not long before the war of 18l2-selling
the improved part of his estate, with the best
buildings of the country upon it, to pay debt
! Incurred in mercantile adventure to assist a
} young relative, and going into log house in
the forest part to begin new home and farm
He was attached to his friends and to his coun-
try and never believed any report to the discred-
it of either, until compelled by proof. He
would not believe in the first report of the sur
render of General Hull, and became sad and op-
pressed when forced to believe it. He never
gave up friend in doubtful case, or from poll
ey or calculation. He was firm believer in
the goodness of a experimenting Providence
and in the eyentfu right judgment and justice oi
! , the people. have seen him at the most despe
: rate part of his fortunes, and never saw him
waver in the belief that all would come right il
!, !, the end. In the time Of Cromwell he would
have been Puritan.
The character of his mind was that of judg-
ment, with rapid and almost intuitive percep-
tion, followed by instant and decisive action
1t was that which made him General and Pres
ident for the times IN which he served. He bad
vigorous thoughts. but not the faculty of arran-