Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-06-20
General Jackson's Three swords.

| ,acksou'S life, says the New York 1i'Res,
WIS ull OF opportunities for the display Of
patriotism and courage,if not always of prac-
teal wisdom and calm craftsmanship. He
was certainly, to an uneXampled degree an
object of popular idolatry. Tennessee pre-
sentel him with a sword; the citizens OF Phil
lphia gave him another; and the rifomen
ut New Orleans endowed him with the third.
We mentioa only these among the hundred
|othcr testimonials that honored his active ca
reer on .raced his retirement because they
havea history connected with the present as
well as the pasta history which, were the
dead permitted to speak. would evoke voice
OF indignant denuncation from the old hero S
grave.
BY his viii. Gen. Jackson bCquenthed the
first OF these three swords to his nephew and
adopted son, Andrew jackson Donelson; the
secoud to his grandson, Andrew jackson, Jr.,
aud the third to his grand nephew, Andrew
Jackson Coffee. The clause relative 10 the
first runs thus
:Seventh--- bcuueath to my wel-beloved
nephew. Anlrcw j. Donclsun, son Of Sam
uel DunelSon, deceased, the elegant sword
presented to me by the State of Tennessee,
with this Injunction, that he fail not to use
it, when necessary, it, support and protection
Of cur glorious Union aud for the protection
Of the constitutional rights of cur beloved
country, should they be assailea Jy foreign
enemies or domestic traitors.
Where is Andrew j. Dpnnelson now, and
to what uses is he applying this legncy OF
his great kindsman, contided to his presum-
ed patriotism, accompanied with so solemn
an injunction? In the ranks OF rebellion,
fighting against Oar glorious Union! A
moug domestic traitors battling for the
overthrow OF the constitutional rights of our
country through the destruction oil the Con-
stitutiom itself Again:
i bequeatn to my beloved grandson An
drew jackson, sou of andrew jackson, Jr.,
and Sarah, his wife, the sword presented to
me hy the citizens Of Philapelphia, with this
injunction, that ho will always use it in de-
fence of the Constitution and our glorious
Union, ard the perpetuation ct our l'epub-
lican system
Aud where is this Andrew jackson, hon
orcd by his patriotic grandfather, and where
is the sword in'rusted to his Keeping? IT is
rustng in its scab bard at home, while trca-
son is hewing ut the Constitution, ard the
cannon OF rebellion laundering against the
Union. The degenerate grandson himscltis
ON the side of the traitors, aiding by his in
tluence and his money the conspirators who
are thus IN arms against both, and who are
battling tor the overthrow Of 'our republican
system.
And aSnu.
TO M granddaughter, Andrew jackson
Coffee, hcqueath the elegant sword present.
cl to rne by the Rife Company of New Or
leans, commanded by Capt. BcaIi, as me-
mento Of my regard, and to bring to his re-
collection the gallant services Of his deceased
father. Gen. John Coffee, in the late Indian
and British Wars, under my command, and
his gallant conduct in defence of New Or
| lc ms in l5H-lj, with this injunction, that
he WELD il in protection Of the rights secur-
ed 70 the American citizens under our g'ori-
ous Constitution, against all invaders ,wheth-
cr foreign iors OF intestine traitors
Where again is Andrew jackson Coffee,
and in what cause is he welding the gift oi
his DcueiaciOr? He too is among the trait
ors, and the sword placed in his hands for
/ the protection of the rights secured to Amer
lean citizens under our glorious Constitution,
liz pointed at the hearts of loyal men and
whctted for the destruc ton OF that glorious
Constitution that he was SO solenInIy en-
linol to deiand.
! Such is thus far the melancholy history OF
the three swords, each the legacy Of ~ great
man to his Einsmen, and such the Uses to
which they are applied. If facts we're wan,
ting to illustrate the common place touching
the dcGcneracy OF tue successors OF great men
how abundantly are they furnished in the
history of this will and its consequences?