The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-11-10

piled, sNo; the only anxiety of which he was
conscious in any engagement was fear lest he
should not meet danger enough to make his con-
duct under it as conspicuous as he desired; and
as the fire grew hotter he rejoiced in it as his
coveted opportunity" H held that high rank
in his profession should be the officers highest
consideration, for which convenience, ease,
wealth, and all other personal comforts should be
sacrificed. But his ambition was never over
weening envous. selfish, or i'll regulated To
an influential gentleman, who wrote to him for
an appointment for friend during the war he
answered: eff person desires office in these
times, the best thing for him to do is at once to
pitch into service somewhere and work with
such energy Zeal, and success, to impress those
around him with the conviction that such are
his merits he must be advanced or the interest
OF the public service must suffer-" No fancy,
ornamental gentleman for him! 1t was by this
means that his own ambition sought elevation
He was no intriguer or ofice-seeker, but in
whatever field he labored he pitched into obsta-
cles with such energy, zeal, and success that
promotion sought him. His was not the selfish
ambition of a C;esar-''dm Cesar, ant nulus.'
It was not envious like that of Themistocles,
whom the trophies of Militiades would not per-
NIT to sleep; but like that of Washington. it was
inspired by the consciousness of merit, and
chastened by devotion to duty It was not the
vain ambition that loved the uppermost places at
feasts. or builded the monument for the monu-
ment's sake: but it was the God given desire to
bring to its highest fruiton the talent committed
to him; to become worthy of trust over many
things by proving faithful over few; to set his
light upon hill. that it MI ht shine before men,
and that, seeing his good works, they should
glorify the Father who sent him.
IacksOn'S nprsono1 opnaaranco sadly disaD-
pointed those who had expected to behold the
hero Of picture. He looked, as he rambled
through his camps or his lines on his guant sor-
rel horse more like a sailor. who had accidentally
fallen up and did not know how to get down,
than like knightly leader about to perform
deeds that song and story would remember. An
old faded coat of gray, upon which every season
had left its mark rough boots. plain military
cap were his constant dress and no stranger who
had met him as he thus attired rode unattended
over the battle field, would ever have dreamed
that he was ''Stoncwall Jackson" When he
was in Maryland in 1868 crowd gathered near
his headquarters to see him. They expected
cpaulcts gold lace. feathers. ornamental aides
de-camr, and numerous iteps of display.
Presently General Jackson stepped out of his
tent alone and told sentinel to keep the crowd
at distance What shabby looking chap is
that? - inquired several. "Thats 'old Stone
WALL" answered one ofhis men. THAT Stone
wall Jackson! Well, guess he'sno great shakes
after all" said some of the bystanders; hes not
much for looks, anyhow" You had to come
within reach of his eye before you felt the force
of his presence. a more resoute frank, honest,
penetrating eye never illumed a human counte-
nance. when looked into his face" said
Federal prisoner, 'my heart sank within me-"
It was generally the 'blazing eye which the
war writer's have spoken of. but there was an OK
preston of memorable purpose, of slumbering
might in it, such as we have never bcheld in an
n,h~---
"a king in the midst of his body guard says
CARLYLE ''with all his trumpets, war horses and
gid standard bearers, will look great, though he
be Ettle but only some Roman Carus can give
audience to satrap ambassadors while seated on
the ground, with WOODEN cap, and supping on
boiled peas like a common soldier Any mill
tary pretcnder could create sensation on Penn
sylvania avenue or Franklin street during the
war, when duly rugged out with spurs stars,
plumes and broad cloth-but only such solid men
as Robt. Lee Jubal A. Early, and Stoncwa Jack
son could make the faded gray appear grander
Than roval nurn1n