The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-10-28
ST0NEWALL JACKSON.

wick Daniel, Esq, Of Richmond, contains
an excellent summing up Of character ant
virtues OF that extraordinary man. Tn,
sketch, which is an elaboration of lectur,
delivered by Mr.. Daniel for the benefit o
the MANASSAS Memorial Association
while Astounding in eloquent dction, deal
honestly with its subject. We extract tn,
following:
AS he approached manhood he distinctly
revealed those strong qualities which are
visible throughout his subsequent career
A great, earnest Englishman of our owl
day has justly said that sincerity great
deep, genuine sincerity-is the first char
acteristic Of all men in any way heroic
Sincerity of purpose, sustained by never
frustrating, ever working resolution-sin
certify that went forward, and feared not, is
the most marked characteristic of jackson
Plutarch has observed, in speak
| ing ofone of his heroes, that as the expires
sion OF the eye often gives us more insight
into character than the whole countenance
besides, SO do incidents and anecdotes re
veal more than extended history. There
is no character of the war of whom more
characteristic incidents are. related than
Jackson, or of whom the incidents ore Sc
characteristic. He was altogether unique
and original, and had more individuality
than any man of his times. He was man
of indexible qualities. He had neither
quickness nor brilliancy OF mind, but he
was an excellent illustration of the princi
pie that be who can control himsel'
can control others, and his selfeontrol
was nearly perfect. By severe discipline
he had acquired the spower of con
.centratiug or relaxing his energies at
will. 1t was his habit while professor to
spend some hours every night in meditation
upon the lessons of the day, and this prac-
tice wonderfully developed his memory and
his powers of ratiocination. He was never
diverted from his studies by the converse
ton of Others, but having once fixed his at
tention upon an object he was Obvious to
all things else until that object was accom-
plished. His punctuality became q pro-
verb amongst the cadets of the Institute.
He slept, studied and performed all by
clock-work; and his associates knew the
time of day by the movement Of Major
jackson. He governed his physical appe
tites with a. rod of iron. Except under med
ical advice he never touched ardent spirits.
To companion in the army, who invited
him to Join him in social glass, he said:
NO; ! am much obliged to You, tut ]
never use it. ] like it, but am more
afraid oft than of Federal bullets" When
the people about him. says DIR. Dabney,
complained of headaches or other conse-
quences of imprudence, he would say, DO
as I do; govern yourself absolutely. and
you will not suffer. My head never aches.
If a thing disagrees with me- never eat it.
He used no stimulants whatever-neither
coffee, tea, tobacco or wine-but with rigid
confined himself to the most alb
stemious asceticism. 1t was q maxim
which he early adopted, and soon illustra-
trated, that ~ on may be whatever you re-
solve to be-" and the good sense which
preceded. and tho stern determination
which followed out his resolutions. were
sure guarantees Of their successful, results.
His keen appreciation of, and his warm
devotion to principles, indicated moral
nature of the finest and strongest textures
Perhaps he was more scrupulous about
small matters than principle required, but
it was because he knew that small defects
lead to great vices-that 45.ot
at is the little rift within the Lutte
That by and by will make the music mute,
And ever widening, slowly silence all.
AS a professor, Major jackson seems to
have discharged his duties with ability and
satisfaction. but his reserved manners, his
retcence, and his vigorous discipline pre-
vented him from becoming very popular
with the cadets, who are always most fond
of those geuials sociable natures which min
gle freely with them. He was not fluent
though lucid in his lectures. It is said
that in order to acquire facility in lectur-
ing he Joined debating society in Lexing-
ton. He was Mt first very awkward and
hating in his efforts. and had frequently to
resume his seat in confusion; but he per
sisted in spite of repeated failures, andbe-
came clear and forcible, though never
eloquent, speaker.
In his religious character, jackson re-
vealed all his earnestness, method, industry
and solid enthusiasm, verifying his probes
sions by his deeds. When his mind was
exercised for the FIRST time on the subject
of religion, he studied the Bible before he
studied any credible went to the foun-
tain head of all orthodox religion at once.
He then availed himself Of his residence in
Mexico to become Thoroughly acquainted
with the doctrines Of Roman Catholicism,
which pleased but did not satisfy him. He
then studied the doctrines of Episcopacy
and other denominations, and finally set
tied into Calvinistic Presbyterianism. He
has been called fanatic in religion, but