Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-03-12
Andrew Jackson ponelson Who Is Heo

Andrew jackson Donelson Who lis Hep
From the Frankfort fky) Commonwr aIth.
Since the American National Convention have
nominated Mr.. Donelson for the second office in
the Union, many Of our Democratic friends show
u great ptrversty Of recollection as to his public
and private history-some of them going so far as
20 deny that he was the private secretary of Gen.
Jack son during his administration and his n;im-
ate. con6dential, bosom friend, throughout the last
quarter of century of his life. For their bene-
lit, as well rs to refresh the recollection of our
readers generav,we will stote a few of the more
prominent facts of Mr.. Donelson's life:
Mr.. Donelson was nephew of Gen. jack sons
wife He was named after the General, and was
brought up in his family. When Gen. Jack son
became President, in March, 1899 he made Mr..
Doncson his private secretary. If any body has
any doubt upon this point. we beg leave to refer
them to Niles Register, vol. 81, page 2i7 where
it will be found TINT President Jack sons first an
nual message TO Congress, Dec. 1899, was com.
municated 10 the Senate "by his private secre
t9ry. Mr.. Donelson." And we might also refer
to the journals of Congress and the public news.
papers for the whole period of the administration
and to the personal recollection of every man
then familiar with public affairs at Washington
for confirmation of this statement.
In 1914 MIR. Donel-on was minister ia Tia e
Republic of Texas aud through him the nrgo,n
tions and communications which resulted in the
bnexa,on Of Iexas to the United States were
carried on. While yet in Texas he was appoin.
ted by President Polk in 1915 minister to Prus
sia-nn office which he hell until very near the
close of Folks administration. While minister
to Prussia he was by President pnlk,in 1913 ap.
pointed minister To the Federal Government of
Germany, or German eoniedt raiion, and for II
Time be discharged the duties of both Offices
In the beginning of 1919, President Polk trans
lrrred him entirely Ia the mission to Germany;
and appointed Mr.. linnnegnn,of Indiana, to sue
coed him ut the Court of Prussia. Upon the in :
coming of Gen. Taylor's administration (March
lS19) MIR. Donelson although Democrat was
not Immediately superseded. but continued as
minister TO Germany until the mission itself was
abolished.
In 1850 81, when the secessionists and di,n-
nionists of the South exhibited their mad spirit
and dangerous designs at the Nashville Conven-
ton. MIR. Doneson headed the Union and Com.
promise section of his party in Tennessee; and
Ivy his aid and the mid of many other patriots this
dangerous political heresy WIS eifectually 'crush
ed out" in Tennessee.
When Mr.. Rtchie--tbe great Nestor of the
Democratic party retired from the editorship
of the Washington Union,th party selected Mr.
Donelson rs his successor. He discharged the
duties of the position well and efficiently, and to
the satisfaction of his party, until the secession
and free soil appointments of President Pierce
made il impossible for him to render the admus-
trnion hearty support He then retired 70
private life. When the American party arose
lac recognized in il tho means of rescung his
country from the dangers of toreignsm and
tiunHl broils which threatened il, and he ut once
gave his heart and soul to the good cause. lie
has already done frequent and great service in
behalf of its noble principles aad well deserves
its honors.
But say some, this Mr. Donelson was not Cen
eral Jackson's adopted son. Technically, we be-
hcve he was not Gen. Jaekson's adopted son il
not called Donclson at all but "Andrew Jack son,
Jr." lfhis name originally, Donelson-a
point upon which we are not certain--he is prob
ably n cousin of the Mr.. Douelson of whom we
have been speaking. This adopted son, So far as
we know or have eyer heard, has never been in
public life at all.
But our Mr.. Denelson the American candidate
for Vice Pre-ident--is the Dourlson who wus
Mrs Jackson's nephew-who was named for Gen
Jackson, aud reared aud educated by him-who
was his private secretary during his administra-
ton his bosom friend his political son. who has
he'd three foreign missions by the appointment
ct Democratic administra. on~. and the edtorshp
OF the Democratic central organ, by the general
wish and consent of the Democratic party. This
| Is the Mr.. Donelson whom the American party
have nominated. No intelligent man can mis-
take his Identity; no honest man will misrepre-
sent II.