The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-12-18
GENERAL JACKSON AND JUDGE
DOUGLAS

| OGN EfIAh JACASON AMI JODSTG
DOUGLAS.
While the Abolitionists and Know Moth
inss are continually heaping on the head of
our distinguished Senator all manner of
abuse, and with Greely at their head, they
will not suffer him to visit his constituents
in peace and 90 that which every public
man ought to do-gc among his friends and
constituents from time to time, to know if
he has their confidence and is truly repre-
senting thenl-we, as a conductor of pub
| lie journal, wish to recall what one Of our
best men and greatest patriots thought of
our Senator when he had chance to ex-
press his sentiments of public man, then,
in 1874, quite young man and politician.
| The fact may be found in the life of Jack
son, page III, entitled thus: ''Interview
with Judge Douglas" While attending
| the Nashville Convention of August, 1874,
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 in
vted 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 residence, and as each entered, Gov.
| Clay introduced him to the hero, and he
passed along. When Judge Douglas was
| thus introduced. Gen. Jackson raised his
| still brilliant eyes, and gazed for a moment
in the cOuntenance of the Judge still re-
tanning his hand.
care you the Mr.. Douglas of Illinois, who
delivered speech last session on the sub
ject of the fine imposed on me for declaring
martial 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 a sub
iect 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 viola
ton, but have contended that the circum-
stances justified me in that violation. Inever
could understand how it was that the per-
formance of solemn duty to my country
a duty which, if I had neglected to perform,
would have made me traitor in the sight
of God and man-could properly be pro-
nounccd a violation of the Constitution. [
felt convinced, in my own mind, that | was
not guilty of such u heinOus offence but |
never could make out a legal justification
of my course, nor has it erer been done, Sir,
until you on the floor of Congress, at the
late session, established it beyond the pos
sibility of cavil or doubt. / thank you for
that speech; it has relieved my mind from
the only circumstance that rested painfully
on il. Throughout my whole life never
performed an official act which l viewed as
a violation of the Constitution of my cOun-
try, and l can now go down to the grave in
peace, with a perfect consciousness that
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 levee (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 Constitu-
ton of his country, and that even in per-
forming a noble and necessary act to pro-
tect life and property, when he was told he
had violated that sacred instrument, his
heart was troubled, so careful was he to pre-
serve 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 croaking about
1.-The value of the Union''-no more trailing
the American flag in the dust on the Fourth
of Juiv, as has been done by the AbolitiGnists
in the East Paris (HL.J Blade.