The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-16
REMARKS OF MR.. BELLEw,
In the Tennessee Senate February q the proposition
purchase the Hermitage

In the Tennessee Senate February O. the proposition
purchase the Hermitage
Mr. SrEARKR: As American citizen and Tenuessean
am constrained TO fayor this bill. As senator repre-,
sentng an Intelligent hgh-innded, and ehiyarous con.
shtueney could do otherwise. To this duty
prompts-patriotism constrains me-
The bill proposes purchase on behalf OF the State the
tomb Jackson and make IT, as his fame Vs. the common
property Of the citizens of Tennessee.
have visited Mr. Speaker three several times in my
life the haowed precincts OF the Hermitage and always
with Increased and increasing interest The spacious
lawns the stately old mansion, with us boundess hosp-
ality the familiar garden, within whose holy precincts
die ashes which make il bolier-dust which is 10 L.
self an immortayp-the associations awakened-all all
eloquent Of the past Standing above the tomb Of the
hero-s atesman what tide OF memory crowded upon me
felt that stood round the OF the representative man
OF his age and natonaronnd whom in life the hearts and
hopes and affections OF his countrymen chung with fond
fidelity and TO whose honored grave their descendants
will resort to do homage 10 latest time
HANDREW JACKSON,
BoRS MARCH l5 1867,
Died June g. ls45," .......
Is the simple inscription upon the plain slab which "mars
his couch Of owy sleep y yet this is enough-his name
will live when granite monders aud records fail In The
corner Of the gardeu in plain republican simplicity be
directed deposited his mortal remains in his ho.
receptacle peferrng II 10 the kingly or imperial
cophagus rendered by the hands Of oopartisl friend
ship There let them repose consecratng the hottest spot
upon the surface of Tennessee SOIL Sir State pride
erect there towering the heavens and
durable time "where the clouds might pause and
his stature Were national gratitude TO rear mausoeum
huge and imposing the brick mountains old Egypt piled
above her dead kings and ontvieng in splendor its mmen
sy it would but be mockery OF the fame which sought
perpetuate. hen around this proud Capitol "a thou.
sand years their cloudy wings expand and dying glory
milesaye sir when these magnificent balls shall be left
ia dull untenanted reposewhen these massive gray walls
and finely chiseed columns shall stand "a noble wreck
runous perfection the grave Of Andrew jackson win be
a hallowed spot .aras a.aa....e.
1t is proposed to erect proud mausoeum towering
son, however mertoous sach project might be- but to
purchase his beloved Hermitage bonored his cher
shed home and consecraed by his ashes II Is stated au-
hortatvey that this property must out OF the hands
of its present honored proprietor and the question arises
Shall the State own IL or shall it pass into the hands Of
strangers In stranger hands, might not the myads
visiters who come up annually from the States OF this
conteteracy and every other government in Chrsteudom
do homage the shrine of departed greatness become
wearsome and vexaous and be barred ntruders and
respassers from the consecraed grounds Shall that feel
ing so enabling to humanity, which seeks to vent itself
in SILENT eloquent musings round the tomb OF the mighty
dead be sed and denied ntterance2 Shall Tennessee
the person Of her stand coldy by and
her citizens deprived Of the stirring memories inspired by
visit to the Hermitage For the honor of Tennessee
hope il will be answered in the negative For one
prepared to vote would make the home Of the illus
trous cheftan the common heritage of the sons and
daughters Of Tennessee where they may assemble in all
time to come, round altar and enjoy the pres
en recall the past and form hopes for the future Let
the State it, and if she choose tender TO the general
government as seat for western military academy
where the of the Southwest may resort and be ndoc
trnated in the science which, under the lead of the go
Gus hero gave to Tennessee proves deathless mmor
tally.
The character Of our great belongs not to this
ate this legislature but to the whole State State
did nay SIR to the whole country 1t is the pede
tai upon which built the airest fabric that human
wisdom devised il is the pillars the archesindeed the
edce itse-of representative government Destroy
this and the whole fabric topples from its basis and
crumbles into atoms.