The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-06-13
Col. Benton's History
GEN. ANDREW JACKSON.

honse was the seat of hospitality the resort of
friends and acuuantances, and of all strangers
visiting the State-and the more agreeable to
all from the pcriRt conformity of Mrs Jack,
sons disposition to his own. But he needed
some excitement, beyond that which farming
life could afford, and found it for some years in
the animatng sports OF the turf lie loved
fine horses-raccrs of speed and bottom-own-
cd several and contested the four mile heats
with the best that could be brought to the
State. and for large sums. That is the near
est to gaming that ever knew him to come to-
Cards and cockpit have been imputed to him,
but most enormously. | never saw him enga-
ged in either. Duels were usual at that time.
and he had his share Of them, with their uIl-
pleasant concomitants but they passed away
with all their animosities, and he has often been
seen zes.iously pressing the advancement of
those with whom he had lately been arrayed in
dead hostility. Ills temper WAS placablc as
well as irascble, and his rcconciations were
cordial and sincere Or that, my own case was
a signal instance. There was Il deep seated
vein OF i.ty in him. unlftctcdly showing it in
his reverence for Divine worship, respect for
the ministers Of the Gospel, their reception in
his house, and constant encouragement Of all
the piOus ten lcncics Of Mrs. Jackson. And
when they afterwards became members Of the
church, it was the natural and carly res Hts oi
their early feelings. He was gentle in the
house, and alive to the tcndcrcst clnot,O -, and
OF this can give an instance, greatly IN con
trast with his supposed character, and worth
more than long discourse, in showing what
that character really was. | arrived ut his
house one wet chilly evening in February, and
came upon him in the twilight, sitting alone
before the fire, lamb and child between his
knees.
lie started u little, called servant to re-
move the two innOccnts to another ROOM and
explained how il was. The child had cried be-
cause the lamb was out in the cold, and beg
gcd him to bring il IN, which Inc had done to
please the chiid-his adopted son, then not two
years old.
The ierocous man does not do that, and, Ill
though Jackson had his passions and violcnccs,
they were for men and cncmics--ior those who
were against him--and not for women and
children, or the weak and helpless, for all OF
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 worthy objects to re-
ceivc it, no matter how obscure or this !
learned II characteristic instance in relation to
the son Of the famous Daniel Boone. The
young man had come to Nashville on his faith
crs business. to be detained some weeks, and
had his lodgings at IL small tavern in the low
er part of the town. Gen. jackson heard OF
it, sought him out, found him, and took him
home to remain as long as his business dctain-
cd him, saying:
"Your fathers dog should not stay in tav-
crn where have II housc.'
This was heart aud heard il from the
young man himself long after when ne was n
State Senator Of the General Assembly of Mis-
souri,, and ~ such nominated me for the Unit
cd States Senate ut my first election in 1919
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 Of justice, and love Of country.
were ruling passions with Juck-on; and of
these he gave constant evidences in all the Sit
nations OF his life. Or private debts. he con-
tractcd none Of his own, and made any sacr-
fees to get out of those incurred for Others
OF this, he gave signal instance not long be-
fore the war Of 1872; selling the improved
part of his estate. with the best Of buildings in
the country upon it, to pay debt incurred in
mercantile adventure to assist young rca-
tive, and going into log houses in the forest to
begin new home and farm. lie was attach
cd to his friends and 10 his country, and never
believed amy report to the discrcdit Of either
until compelled by proofs. lie would not be-
lleve III the lrst reports Of the surrender OF
Gen. Hull, and became sad when forced TO be-
lieve it. lie never gave up a friend in
doubtful case, or from policy and calculation.
lie was lirln Deliver in the goodness of SUI
perlntcnding Providence, in the cvcnllul right.
Judgment and justice Of the people. | have
seen him at the most desperate part Of his for
tunes, and never saw him wavcr in the belief
that all would come right in the end. I'm the
time OF Cromwell nc would have been Puritan.
The character Of lls mind was that of iudy-
mcnt, with rapid and almost ntuitvc pcrccl,-
lion, followed by instant and decisive action.
IL was MAT which made him General and
President for the times IN which he served. Ilc
had vigorous thought, but without II faculty oil
arranging them IN regular composition, either
written or spoken and IN formal papers ,,s,.
ally gave his Manuscript to IN uid or friend or
secretary. to DC written Ovcr--oftcn to the los.
OF vigor. But the thoughts were his own,
vigorously expressed, aud without effort, writ
ing with rapid pen, and never bIotting or NJ |
tring but, ~ Carylc says Of Cromwell, hit.
ting the nail on The head IA he went. have
great deal Of his writing now some on pub.
lie affairs, covering several sheets OF paper, and
no crasioIs Or inIcrlincatioiB anywhere. liz
conversation wns like his writing, u vigorous.
howiny current, apparently without the trouble
u thinking anu always impressive. Ills con-
Clusions were rapid aud inmovnbc, when he
was under strong convictions. though often
yielding ~ minor points 10 h- friends. Aud
no man yielded quicker when he WA conyinc-
Cd, perfectly illustrating the difference between
flrinncss ard obstinacy. OF oil the Presidents
who have done mo The honor TO listen TO my
opinions, there wns 30 one 10 whom | spoke
with more confidence, when felt myself 10 be
Ia the right
lie had load TO carry all lis life. resulting
from q temper which refused compromises and
bargains, and went for u clean victory, or
clean defeat. Ia every case. Hence every step