Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-27
Benton on Jackson.

Benton, in his book.presents the character
of Gen. jackson in very agreeable light. We
subjoin an extract from bis book:
!" The first time l.<saW General Jackson was
at Nashville, Tennessee,sin 1899; he on The
bench Judge Of tlieySuperior Court and a
youth of seventeen baeEan the crowd. Ele was
then remarkable man:sand had his ascendant
over all who approaclieds him, not The effect of
his high judicial stalian,sno of the senatorial
rank which he had heldsand resigned, nor Of
military exploits, for feShad not then been 10
war; but the effect ofpefsonal qualiles-cordi-
al and graceful manners, shospitabe temper, ele-
va,ion of mind undaunted<pirit, generosity and
perfect integrity. Instclarging the jury in the
impending case, he committed slight soecism
in language, which grated on my ear and lod-
ged in my memory, @itsi6ut derogaling in the
least from the reSpects@il he inspired, and
without awakening thesslightest suspicion that
| was ever 10 be engage9sa smoothing his die
ton. s&
The first time spoke&p:ith him was some
years after ut then frontier town in Tennessee,
when he was returning 5rDm,a southern visit,
which brought him through fastowns and camps
Of some Of the Indian lrIles. In pulling off his
overcoat, perceived on Tie while lining of the
sleeve dark spot which chad life and motion.
brushed it off, and putnR heel upon little
thinking that was ever to!brush away from him
game of very different Kind. He smiled, aud
we began conversation; in which he very
quickly revealed leadingtrai. OF his character
that of encouraging young men in their Iauda-
bic pursuits. GelGug nqSnamr, and learning
my intended profession, he:manifesed Il regard
for me-sad he had rcceiged5 5hospitaIiy at my
fathers house in North Car6lini-g gave me kind
invitations to visit him, md dsexpressed a belief
that would do we'll at the bar-generous words,
Which had the effect of promoting what they un-
dertook to forelell.
Soon after he had furEeropportunity to show
his generous feelings. was employed in a
criminal case of great magnitude where the
Oldest and ablest counsel appeared-Hay
Grundy, Whilesiile-and the trial of which Gen.
Jackson attended through CONCERN for the fate
of friend As junior COUNSEL, lhad to precede
my elders, and did my best ;Eand it being on the
side oil his feelings, he found my effort TO be
better than it WAS He complimented me great
ly, and from that time our Intimacy began.
His temper was placable as well as irrascible,
and his reconciIiations cordial and sincere. Of
that my own case was singular instance. AT
ter deadly frud, | Gecamehis confidential ad-
viser was offered the .hgles3 marks of his favor,
and received from hg dying bed message Of
dictated when IifeSWas departing, and
when he was struggling for5breath.
lie WAS gentle in his house. and alive 70 the
lendcrcst emotion. OF This can give an in
stance greatly in constrasts flosls- q: pfaAsed
and worth mQ:ssSctef t,'''f =seo 1fse
arrived lt Ills house one wet chilly evening IN
February, and came upon him in the twilight,
sitting alone by the fire. 4 lamb and chile be-
tween his knees. He started little, called SER
want to remove the TWO little nnorents 10 anolh-
er room, and explained to me how it was. The
child had cried because the lamb was out in the
cold, and he had brought il i'll to please the child
his adopted Southern mob TWO years old.
The ferucious man does not do that! And though
Jackson had hi, passions and his vloIencc, they
were for men and enemies-tLose who stood up
against hm-and not fpr women and children,
or The weak and helpless.
His hospitality was active and cordial. VI
this learned characteristic instance in relation
TO the son of the famous Daniel Boone. The
young man had come TO Nashville on his fathers
business, 10 be detained some weeks, and took
logdings in small tavern. Jackson heard OF
it; sought him out, found him, took him home
to remain us long as his business detained him
in tue country, saying: "Your fathers dog
should moi stay in Il tavern where have IL house"
This was heart The story WAS told me by the
young man himself long after, when he was
State Senator of the General Assembly OF
Missouri. .lE.