Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-01-09

the guests who thronged In and filled up
the seats at the several tables.
The following gentlemen composed the
officers appointed tor the Festival: t
1Hlri-tu PRESIDENT, ' rr u
Hon. WILLIAM ALLEN, Of Ross.
7rs vIcE-PREsIDENTs, H
Hon. E. F. BINGHAM, of franklin.
I" MEREDITH r. WILLErT, of Williams.
(" AL. PERRlLL, of Plckaway.
-o" w. w. WEBB, of Franklin.
+" JACOB REINHARD, of Franklin. nl
{" GEO W. MANYPENNY, of Franklin.
CHRIS. HUGHES, of Butler.
goo r SECRETARIES,
WALTER G. HOOP, of Washington.
JEFFERSON PALM, of Trumbull.
DAVID s. FISHER, of Allen.
The doors were opened at half-past six
o'clock and the guests began to enter the
Hall. At about seven o'clock, the seats at
the tables were filled, and the feasting be-
gun. The President, Mr., ALLEN, was seat
ed at the head of the middle table, near the
platform, and Vice President BINGHAM, at
the opposite end Of the same table, near
the entrance. After the supper, the regu-
lar toasts were first read by the former, and
repeated by the latter, as follows:
... ...,.a REGULAR ToAsTs. ...I
/ Andrep JacksoH-Too magnanimous In be
vindictiye; too wise to be perse1ut1r The circle
Of his affections embraced the whole Republic, and
ill-will toward A9y portion Of it, he utterly abhor
red +.
Responded to as follows, by
Hon. Allen G.. Thurman.
Il was the fate of Gen. Jackson, as It has
been of most eminent men, TO have his
character frequently misunderstood, and
yet more frequently misrepresented. He
was regarded, by many OF his cotempo-
rarles, as an incarnation OF passion, self
will, vindictiveness and obstinacy; and the
impression then made on the public mind,
by such charges, though fast fading away,
is not yet altogether effaced. But the truth
was far otherwise. That he was a man of a
quick temperament and excitable feelings,
Is undoubtedly true; but perhaps no man
ever lived who had his feelings more COM
pletely under the control of his reason. In
this respect he resembled Washington, who
has Justly been held up to the world as an
|
were as quick and passionsas strong as those
OF Jackson. And Clay, the warmth of whose
temper did not prevent his deservedly ac-
quiring the most honorable and endearing
title of the great c0nciliator. Indeed, this
characteristic-the power of subjugating
the passions to the rule Of the Judgment
has been found In almost every truly great
man with whom history makes us acquaint-
ed. It is only the base in spirit or the mar
row In intellect who blindly give the reins
to prejudice when wisdom should guide.
But jackson was neither base or narrow
minded. 1t would be difficult to name
man whose impulses were more generous;
and as to his intellect, his splendid admin
istration of eight years left no doubt of its
large capacity. Gen. Cass, who had been
member of his cabinet and had known him
intimately, once said to me, that of all
the public men With whom he had been ac-
quafnted, jackson was the most careful
and prudent; that more than any other, he
sought information far and wide upon
every subject he was called upon
10 decide, and that nothing could
exceed the patience with, which
he investigated the information thus
obtained, and weighed the arguments
that could be adduced upon every side of
the question. 1t was owing to this peculi-
arity and habit, that he so seldom found 1t
necessary to change an opinion he had
formed. He did not form it until he was
thoroughly advised, and when formed he
adhered to 1t, not from mere obstinacy, as
was sometimes supposed, but because he
knew IL to be correct. Mere passion, RASH
ness and Obstinacy could never have
achieved his career, either military or
civil. To do that the highest tquallties were
ecessary-generous impulses, dauntless
cOuraEeo cool determination, great fore
sight compreheIsiveness of view. perfect
knowledge of mel, and that, without which
all others sooner or later fail, an unfalter-
ing devotion to truth and right. These |
qualities he possessed in an eminent de- |
gree, and with them yindictivenessa and per,
secution could not co-exist. ; A victorious
General surrounded q by his devoted |
legiops and an adoring people, I'M the |
heart of city saved by his skill ard valor !
from ruthless foe, quietly and cheerfully |
submitting to an unjust judgment of a |
powerless Judge, quelling the clamors, OF |
the p0pulace that rose in menacing tones |
against the feeble minister of the law, re-
jrcting all offers OF Others to discharge his |
wrongful sentence, and discharging it him
self out Of his own scanty means, is not a |
picture of passion, Vlndictiveness Or perse-
cuLlOns n pOllJlcldu TeCOlnWenQlng TO the |
President of his choice, the most liberal |
treatment of political opponents. Is not a.
picture of malevOlence or bigOtry. An |
Individual reconclled to another with /
whom he had once been. engaged, inlI
deadly strife, and contracting with him
d friendship that death alone could sever,
Is not q picture of revengeor obduracy.l
A, President who lqueiled nulllfication
without shedding a drop Of blood, who,
by wisdom and moderation, so effectmally,
silenced the voice Of secession, that 1t was
not again heard for nearly thirty years.
who Left, as his parting legacy to his coun- !
trymen, the injunction to repress all sec
tional feeling and love one another, who |
told them that "the Constitution cannot be |
maintained, northe Union preserved, inob-
position to public feeling by the mere exer-
tIon of the cOercive powers c0ntided to the |
general Government; that the foundations
must be laid Ia the affections Ofthe peopIein /
tglves 70 life, liberty, character
and property In every quarter of the c0un-
try, and In the fraternal attachments which |
the citizens Of the several States bear to one /
another as members Of one political family,
contributing to promote the hap |
piness Of each others President, who