Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-11-15
From the Paris Ill) Blade.
General jackson and Judge Douglas.

While the Abolitionists and Know-nothings
are continually heaping on the head of our dis
tinguished senator all manner of abuse, and
with Greeley at their head, they will not suffer
him to visit his constituents in peace and do
that which every public man ought to do-go
among his friends and constituents from time
to time, to know if he has their confidence and
is truly representing them-we, as conductor
of public journal, wish to recall what one OF
our best men and greatest patriots thought OF
our senator when he had chance to express
his sentiments Of public man, then, in 1914,
quite young man and politician. The fact
may be found in the life of Jackson page III,
entitled thus: "Tnterview with Judge Douglass"
While attending the Nashville convention of
August, 1914, we visited the Hermitage (only
twelve miles distant in company with Judge
Douglas, of Illinois, and some of our fellow
citizens. The Hermitage was crowded with
people from almost every State, who had been
invited thither by the venerable patriot the day
succeeding the convention. Governor Clay, of
Alabama, was near Gen. jackson, who was
himself sitting on sofa in the hall of his resi-
dence, and as each person entered, Gov. Clay
introduced him to the hero, and he passed
along. When Judge Douglas was thus intro
duced, Gen. jackson raised his still brilliant
eyes, and gazed fora moment in the counten-
ance of the Judge, still retaining his hand.
"Are you the Mr.. Douglas of Illinois, who
delivered speech last session on the subject
of the fine imposed on me for declaring mar
tial law at New Orleans?" asked Gen. jackson.
81 have delivered a speech in the House Of
Representatives upon that subject" was the
modest reply of our friend. "Then STOP"
said Gen. jackson, /" sit down here beside me!
/ desire to return you my thanks for that
speech. You are the first man that has ever
relieved my mind on subject which has rested
on it for thirty years. My enemies have always
charged me with violating the constitution Of
my country by declaring martial law at New
Orleans and my friends have always admitted
the violation, but have contended that the
circumstances justified me in that violation.
never could understand how it was that the
performance of solemn duty to my country
a duty which, if / had neglected to perform,
would have made me traitor in sight of God
and man-could properly be pronounced a
violation Of the constitution felt convinced,
in my own mind, that was not guilty of such
heinous offence; but / could never make out
a legal justification of my course, nor has it
eUer been done, sir until you the floor Of Con-
gress, at the late session, established it beyond
the possibility of cavil or doubt thank you
for that speech it has relieved my mind from
the only circumstance that rested painfully
npon it. Throughout my whole life, never
performed an official act which | viewed as a
violation Of the constitution of my country, and
can now 90 down to the grave in peace, with
a perfect consciousness that i have not broken
at any period Of my life the constitution or
laws of my country"
Such are the words of Gen. Jackson at his
last leyee for he died shortly after,) addressed
to one just beginning his bright career of public
usefulness. These words, too, are for the
American people, as well as for Judge Douglas.
They show how that great and good man
revered the constitution Of his country, and
that even in performing a noble and necessary
act to protect life and property, when he was
told he had violated that sacred instrument,
his heart was troubled, so careful was he to
preserve that charter Of our liberties. Who
does not wish that the old hero's feelings and
love for country and constitution could be
infused into every American heart? We should
hear, then, no more croakings about "the value
of the Union"-no more trailing the American
flag in the dust on the Fourth July as has
been done by Abolutionists in the East.