Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-05-08
OLD HICKORY ON NNUII1FICATIoN

AhO AOAAOhAu5 dCCOuuI OF an interview n
the White House. which we find quoted il
Parton's Life of Gen. Jackson, will be read
with interest just now, as giving a glimpse
behind the scenes at a period of our histo-
! ry which bears close analogy to the pres
ent. The country expects that Mr.. Lin
coin now will be as determined as Old Hiek-
ory Was In 1888. At the height of the
notification excitement, Gen. Sam. Dale,
of Mississippi, an old friend of Jackson S,
called on him at the Presidential mansion.
and the manner in which the enrrossing
topic repeatedly breaks out in the course
OF conversation in other matters, shows
that it was uppermost in the old hero's
mind. "By the God of HeavenP' he ex-
claimed, 81 will uphold the laws!" And
in repeating the determination, he flung
down his pipe by way of emphasis, shiver-
ing it into fragments What the country
applauded as heroism in 1888, it surely
will not repudiate in 1861. If Mr.. Lin
coin will continue to manifest the same vi
gor, his fame will become as dear to the
popular heart as Old Hiekory's. After the
irst shaking of hands, the narrative of the
visit proceeds as follows:
We walked into his reception room. and
[ was introduced to Col. Benton and five
or six other distinguished men. They were
all very civil, and invited me to visit them.
They were talking over notification the
engrossing subject at that period, and the
President, turning to me, said: General
Dale, if this thing goes on, our country
will be like bag of meal with both ends
open. Pick it up in the middle or end
wise, and it will run out l must tie the
bag and save the country. /" The company
now took leave; but when / rose to retire
with Col. King, the General detained me
ordered up some whisky. and directed his
servant to refuse all visitors until one o.
clock. He talked over our campaigns, and
then of the business that brought me to
Washington. He then said: s.Sam. you
have been true to your country, but you
have made one mistake in life. You are
now old and solitary, and Rithouta bosom
friend or family to comfort you, God CALI
ed mine away. But all l have achieved
fame, power, everything would 1 ex-I
change if she could be restored to me forl
a mOment." - -----s .-.---. ..----
The iron man trembled with emotion,
and for some time covered his face. with
his hands, and tears dropped on his knee.
l was deeply affected myself. He took
two or three turns across the room, and
then abruptly said, -'Dale, they are trying
re here; yoG giU acitness Il; but BY THE
COP OF HEAVEN, ] WILL UPHOLD Tue
LAWS" -tee--.
I understood him to be referring to null
h6eation again, his mind evidently having
recurred to it, and expressed the hope
that things would go right
"7Hey SHALL go right. sir" he exclaim-
ed, passiOnately, shivering his pipe upon
the table.
He calmed down after this and showed |
me his collection of pipes, many of most
costly and curious kind, sent to him from
every quarter, his propensity for smoking
being well known. "'fhese," said he, will
do to look at l still smoke my corn cob,
Sam. as you and l have often done togeth-
er; it is the sweetest and best pipe"
.'When l rose to take leave, he pressed
me to accept a room there i can talk to
you at night; in the day am beset.
declined on the plea of business, but dined
with him several times, always, no matter
what dignitaries were present sitting at
his right hand. He ate very sparingly,
only taking a single glass of wine, though
his table was asmagnifeeSt. When we part
ed for the last time, he said, My friend,
we shall see each other no more;
let us meet in heaven" 2 -sl- .---
81 could only answer him with tears,
'or L felt that We should meet no more on
,arth." y --f- --t-E