Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-03-08

trai ana puDhsning The proceedings, Is simply
sin and a shame in the eyes of all good
honest, and just men.
Letter from the Hon. A. j. Donelsom.
TO one Of the Editors Of the Neao York Express:
.MARcH lst, 1856.
"SIR: am referred to in many places as the
adopted son of General jackson. Permit me to
ask that you will give this note an insertion in
your columns, in order that the mistake may be
corrected. The adopted son of General Jackson
bears his own name, and is now living at the
Hermitage. The General was my uncle, and
my guardian, and friend from my infancy to
his death.
" The mistake has doubtless originated from
the fact that the General was in the habit of
addressing me as his son, and that was so
long and so intimately associated with him.
was his Aide-de=camp from the time entered
the army until he left it, and his private Secre-
tary throughout his Presidency--a confidential
relation which was never interrupted as long
as he lived.-I am, very respectfully your
obedient servant,
A. j. DOEELSON"
The history of the world furnishes but few
instances Of popular leaders who have acquired
such ascendancy over the hearts of men, as
that acquired by Andrew Jackson. 1t has been
the good fortune of many men to rule during
their lives. but their rule has ceased with their
lives But the jealous tyrant, death, with all
his power could not snatch from the old Hero
the reins of Government His power still re-
mains. The magic Of his name, though dead,
is as great as when he was living. Such is the
reverence for his memory, that all who were
associated with him, all who can claim any
connection with him, and all who enjoyed his
confidence inherit large share of the popu-
larity attached to his name.
In this profane world, where everything is
made the subject of traffic, it would hardly be
expected that Jackson's name and Jackson's
favor should escape being made merchanta
BILE article. 1t has not escaped.
That party, only changed in name, which
vilfed and opposed General jackson, and was
Justly crushed, and trampled under his feet,
has had the audacity to nominate for the
second Office in the gift of the American peo-
pie, gentleman who has no other claim to
the position than that of bearing the old Hero's
name, and having been one Of his trusted
friends.
This, indeed, is tribute to popular intell.
gence, such a tribute as the Federal party il
that the masses Of the people are so ignorant
as not TO know that General Jackson is dead,
or so stupid as to vote for man, because he
bears the name of Jackson. Indeed, as much
was intimated in the Convention.
Major Donelson himself shows distinctly in
the above letter, that he regards the name
which he accidently bears as "a tower of
strength" While he corrects the rumor that
he was the adopted son" Of the old hero, he
is al much pains to let everybody know the
tender and confidential relations which existed
between General jackson and himself He
evidently regards them as his strongest cards.
The insult TO the intelligence of the people in
volved in this nomination is not even atoned
for by the tardy tribute which il renders to
President jackson.
But there is another view Of this subject
which is even less pleasant to contemplate. il
is, that the name-sske, pet, and confidential
friend Of Jackson, should SO far forget the les
sons and example Of the old sage and hero, as
to desert the principles and the party for which
he battled his life long, and take up new prin.
ciples and cast in his fortunes with his ancient
and vindictive enemies.
But TO cap the climax, it almost seems like
sacrilege to hear the Knownothing candidate
for the Vice Presidency declare, as he did in
the convention, that Andrew Jackson would be
Knownothing if he were alivel Could that
man Of iron, whose will conquered all but fate,
hear this declaration, the repose Of the grave
would be broken and the former sharer Of his
confidence would be crushed by bis awful re.
buke