The mountain Democrat., 1863-07-04
Anecdotes oflG.n.ral.J jackson.
By AMOS KENDALL.

Public men often suffer great wrong in
reference as well to tleir private as their
public character and conduct, from the
misrepresentation of their political ad.
versari's frequently aggravated by per-
s"nal nuimpSitics. individuals Of party
who mean to he honest, and would not in
word or thought intentionally do injus-
ticc TO a human being, often believe, with
a too ready crtdulty, the assertions Of
party presses, political leaders and per-
sonai enemies, thereby becoming accom-
p)jre> in The htlctinn Of injuries at which
their own c"u>cences, il properly in
St'uctcd, would revolt with horror.
The opinions in,bib,d 10y large por-
tion Of mankind in reference to the tenn
per and conduct Of General jackson in
his personal relations, furnish striking
! Illustration of these truths. MultitudeS
there are, both in the United States and
other countries, who, having received
their impressions without due conSidera-
! tion, from presses and persons opposed to
him, believe that distinguished man to be
! reckless Of religions faith, il not of moral
opiIati"n, ier"cI0nS in temper, and in all
! III" relations Of life tyrant. Such indi
vidual> Will learn with ast0nishmcnt, that
| ihis picture is all the reverse Of truth {;
| that the tone of G,n. JacksonS mind du-
! iuE his Presidency was decidedly de-
! won't ; that TO man could be more ind
aud indu' ut in all its private relations !;
and that If he be ccn>urahle on this score,
/ 1t Is for too much forbearance. With
I ttl l..it l,,, H., Il
/ Give UP his favorable opinion Of old
j iii'hl~, and with what tenacitv he clung
1 ~ th,In, in many cases, after everybody
I else Pronounced th,m vcnal and treach-
erous. was witnessed by those who were
intimate with him during his administra-
ton. But without touching at present
upon anything connected with his poiti.
| cal course, propose TO give in the pres.
cat ard in some succeeding papers few
authentic anecdotes which will tend to
! correct the tlronc"uS opinions entertain
/ ed by many as to his religious impress
/ ,ioh> and imputed violence Of temper.
! Iap>" who lat down with Gen. jack
! son at Ii, private table to break bread
,,ruw with what fcrvor he uniformly in.
/ yuNrd the Blessings Of heaven upon the
lcia-t provided l'y it, bounty. y stran.
Icr r"u.I not witness the scene without
n"rnuioG to the venerable man before
/ .un, "hp TINS bowed his grey head in
/ GGmtit >rpp!iyalon to The Givcr Of all
good, u hcat sincerely religious
+ All wl,l remember, that toward the
r'o>e "f hi, administration the General
wa> attacked hy Il bleeding of the lungs
which thrcateuei to be fatal. Nor will it
be t.I-ottru, that some OF the party press.
- attributed this attack to u violent tit Of
passion, in the paru%yslus Of which they
sid lac hTd ruytucl blood vessel.
W i,tf a Ica, contrast the real scene pre-
>'nird. had an opportunity to learn
ifr'n thc mouih # an tyc-w itncsS. The
cruel fabrication had reached the mem
b,r> "I The Presidents family, and from
. Ihe lips Of Mrs. jackson, the lady of the
tienora'> adopted son, rendered unuSu-
/ allv eloquent by the Indignation which
: a.h'.d up her beautiful face, heard the
, iu.'N!uL u"rrativc:-
" fnih,.r," said she, :" is in the habit,
cvv'y ri-'ii hei,lr he goes to bed, Of call
&C.,. nc Ia to- read To him chapter in the
Htr.c. GA that night, having finished his
nn~.ne~~, hr called rnc in to perform that
~vvir". ! al to him as usual, and
ha'l"; finished the chapter, ccivcd from
hjm an atac'iona'c good uight, and re-
tired to MY be chamber, which was in
an a'I"Iing room. H. then called the
>cNant who u>ulIIy attended on him in
it~ cuauhcr, and vas undressing. Sud-
dcrN lac called me, and entering the
ipum found him bleeding at the mouth
W ilrt produced the attack know not !;
hut certain it is. that 80 far from indulg
. i.G IA amy ouibrcakS f temper. his Ii ind
Aa- ";,;u and drvu;inual, seeking to close
tu" h'i>iar-> Of the day by communion
, Njrh h,avtn.'
ior gracrc" If reading or listening to
a chapter ot the Holy Writ and sending
hiLnt b,,orc bc retired to rest, Gen Jack
son brought With him into the Presiden.
cv. M man had deeper sense OF de-
1 prudence on the Giver Of all good, or a
more sincere and earnest desire TO avail
! himself OF the wisdom which comes from
on high in the discharge of his arduous
dutle~. But it cannot be doubted, that
~ Ai> devotional trrvor there WAS MN
gel holy aud never dying affection for
his departed wife, whose presence was, in
hS susceptible Imagination, as necessary
an juci icnt Of Heaven as that Of the
angels.
y portrait Of this dearest object Of his
earthly affections hung in his chamber.
" l. that Il good likrncssy :" said a lady
to him in my presence "Pretty good"
said hr, bat uot 50 good as this TAX
ing miniature from his bosom.
Un another occasion. calling upon him
an some urgent business, was invited
Itto his bed rhamhcr. found him too
III to SIT up. The curtains in front Of his
ICED were open, aud he lay with his head
som what elevated on full pillow. Op-
po,lte the foot Of his bed, nearly touch
ing the post, stood little table, and on it
was the miniature of Mrs. Jack son lean
ing against a small Bible and Prayer
Book which had been hers. 1t was evi
IDENTITY 30 placed that he might, as he Law,
gaze upon the shadow Of those loved fea
tnrcS winch had enrapturtd his youthful
heart, and contemplate those virtues
which, IN old age, and even death, ren.
fcrcd them dear to the bosom Of the hero
and Statesman beyond any other earthly
object
was not then so thoroughly acquaint
ed with Gen. jackson as afterward be
came; but on witnessing this scene,
said to myself, this must be a good man.
None other could entertain so deep, so
abiding an affection for departed com
panion, however cheriShing while living.
Love like this is all good, all heavenly, all
divine, as nearly as anything on earth
possibly can be; it cannot dwell in bad