Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-02-13
A POLITICIAN OF THE OLDEN
TIME.

Will be C00cCclcu DS puI4S IAhhhllSES.
A POLITICIAN OF THE oLDEN
TIME.
The race of men whose characters de.
veloped themselves during the Revolution.
and in the stirring political scenes which
succeeded that struggle, has passed away.
The few who ye. linger, are but the ex.
ceptions to the general rule. They were
race peculiarly fitted for the times
each in himself study-a character.
OF all these characters" the "Great
West" which then had its farthest limit
on the eastern bank Of the river Ohio. but
which, since
"Wcstwnr the course Of empire TOOK its way.''
has now beginning somewhere on the
sands Of the Pacific. and an ending at sun
down, furnished the most unique. When
younger than now, off have We loved to
linger over the stirring lrgends-poli,ical
and sanguinary-of these men, and in la
ter life, eq ally we loved TO make them
our study, drawing alike instruction and
amusement from the narrative and the
men.
The last specimen Of that by. gone race
was, in some respects. Il prototype of Gen.
o Gle, immortalIzed in Putnam" yet he
out generalIed the General, just us some
Of our prominent politicians are now try
ins TO out Herod Herod.
In his prime. Col. Jackson must have
born person Of manly beauty. His
form was colossal. Born of poor parents.
his early education. save with the rifle,
WAS sadly neglected. In the days when
Washington surveyed the lands of others
for living, he hired our hero for q
chain carrier but finding his rifle almost
equal 10 that Of Cooper's IS Leather Stock,
ing" he promoted him to the more impor-
tant station Of a hunter, whose care was
to procure venison for the party. Subse:
quently he attached himself to the army OF
Gen. Clarke, and as scout, did his duty
SO rs to cntisle him 10 the praise Of his
officer. s.
BY frugaliIy and industry. Col. jack
son became possessed Of large landed
property near CIarksburg. Virginia. and
IN the wilds Of Ohio. BY his activity in
repelling the incursions Of the savages,
and the protection he afforded TO the from
tier settlements, he was appointed Colo>
mel Of " Militia Regiment, and about the
commencement of the present century,
was elected TO represent the Clarksburg
district in Congress-.
Tho fortunes Of the Colonel were cast
with the Democratic party. While in
Congress. he heard the charge made
against Mr.. Jefferso of not only holding
French politics, but of opening French
manners. This latter charge. tho Colo
mel believed. and hence, as good Jetfer.
son Democrat. he held himself bound to
follow suit. and no French dancing mas
ter ever tried to carry French politeness
farther than did our newly fedged mem
Der of Congress.
The Colonel fancied himself an orator.
tie had made speeches to tho voters Of
his district; and his election over po-
puIar Federal orator, he deemed proof Of
his talent. His efforts in Congress are
not preserved in full, and the world has
doubtless lost much. His last speech
closed his Congressional career. in this
wise:
The Colonel had made a speech, and
was listened 10 with that attention which
rude oraIory, accompanied with strong.
yet uncultlVated native intellect is always
sure to command. In reply. member
charged that the gentleman from Virgil
MA had taken but microscopic view OF
the subJec. Here was chance for re-
Ioinder. The Colonel had never heard
the word microscopic" before-it was a
big word, and treasuring it up, he rose to
reply, but strange to say, either from i'm
perfect hearing. or from want of memory.
The sound was lost, and thus he spake !:
Mr.. Speaker-Sir: The honorable
gentlemaa who has Just spoken. says l
took a nee, onaatic view of the subject"
The speech was never finished. Roars
Of laughter. not to be restrained by the
hammer of the presiding officer. told the
Colonel most plainly that he lad made a
Deeply chagrined. he attempt.
ed to go on. but il was no go, and he
sunk to his seat. When an injudicious
friend explained to him the error into
which he had fallen, his sensitive mind
that he would not remain in q
position where his want of early educa-
ton would ever lay him open to similar
mistakes. He promptly informed his
friends Of his intention to resign. The
members were alarmed-they
feared a Federalist might succeed him. Al
the opening of Congress, the Republican
majority was but small-ths contest be
tween Mr.. jefferson and Col. Burr for tht
Presidency. Just then decided, had alien
ated that portion of the party that Bur
could control, and it was feared that tn,
union of the Federal party with th,
friends of the then Vice President, wouls
result in an snti,Jeffersonian majority il
the coming Congress. The Clarksburl
district was at best a doubtful one, but
was thought the Colonel could carry it