Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-05-01
Correspondence of the Boston POST
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 81, /


A visit to the Hermitage" in this fine vernal
weather. an excellent road, with good horses
and capital companions, must set down as the
most delightful incident Of my weeks sojourn in
Tennessee This classic ground has been made SO
familiar to the public BY engravings and writ. de-
seriptions that have warrant for repeating the
picture will give you, instead, my conversation
with Hannah" the mulatto servant, who, in the
absence of the family escorted to the tomb of the
iustrious warrior and statesman whose Mausoleum
we had come see. "How long have you lived
here, Hannah ?" II was raised here, MASTER" "And
SO you knew the general WELL" Eyes, master,-and
when he died We all said we had lost father
well as a master" The words were spoken with
unaffected emotion, and were very simple and touch
ing.
of Washington goes begging for a guardian, the
burial place of Jackson, to the perpetual praise and
honor Of Tennessee is the property Of the state;
which, not long ago, purchased the Hermitage, that
the sacred spot might be her own peculiar care in
all time to come. By the kind invitation of Major
dant of James X. Polk, l visited the tomb Of the
ex-P,esidcnt, and introduced to Mrs. Polk. The
monument is in all respects a handsome and apprO.
pirate structure but its most striking feature is the
inscription. 1t was written, am told, by Mr. Ban
croft, and is model Of good taste. terseness and
omprehenslveness-a history in a single paragraph.
We spent a delightful hour with Mrs. Polk, Of whom
1 only say that as everybody has heard and
many known, she is Of the most sensible grace.
full and elegant women in America. Certainly no
in Tennessee is held in the hearts Of the peo-
pie with so much love and reverence; and it is
remarkable and fitting token Of the public regard,
that annually on the first day of the year. both
houses Of the legislature formally adjourn, and pro-
coed in body to pay their respects TO Mrs. Polk
Long may she live as an example to American wo.
men, and an ornament more beautiful than the
jewels Of palace to the elegant mansion in which
she presidcs
In conclusion must tell You an anecdote, which
it particularly concerns the spiritual welfare Of
your old friend Major Eastman, you will read with
interest. Not more than four years ago Andrew
johnson, (popularly called "Andy'') now in the
United States Senate, was the Democratic candidate
for governor Of Tennessee against Gentry, "Ameri-
can" Parson BrownlOw, the notorious fighting
Methodist" Of the Knoxville Wing, had gone over
with the remains Of the Whig party to the Know
Nothings. and was the warm partisan of Gentry
Eastman the conductor Of the leading Democratic
journal, was. Of course with johnson, and, is his
wont, CAV: the enemy vigorous and telling blows.
Gentry defeated, but in honor Of his brave
soca,es partners Of his toll he celebrated the event
by grand supper, at which Brownlow present
When the company had got pretty deeply into their
cups and were growing rather bois;er"us the parson
(who happens to be a teetotaller) thought he lad
better retire. and was making movement to that
effect, when he stopped BY Gentry with the OBJ
s.rvalion that mo minister of the gospel should
come into his house and enjoy his hospitality and
go off without praying in the family" Brownlow
felt the rebuke and at once set about his duty. He
read chapter in the Bible, sung hymn, commen.
cvd prayer. He prayed for Gentry and his house
hold and friends; for the welfare Of Tennessee, of
the national confederacy, the American eagle. and
tho star spangied banner; for Christendom and
heahendOm for the universe and 1.-The rest Of man
kind" And finally" said the parson, I'VE pray
thee Lord. il it be posxi6le in the p:enitude Of
thy infinite mercy. to pardon and save Andy J"hn-
son and f. G. Eastman" stop! stop!" exclam-
ed Gentry "don't let him do that--t scoud exhaust
the plan IF sairati0n :"