The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-11-10
St0neWall jackson.

binary man. The sketch, which is an elabora-
ton of lecture delivered by Mr. Daniel for the
benefit of the Manassas Memorial Association,
while Astounding in eloquent diction, deals hon
estly with its subject. We extract the follow
ing:
As he approached manhood he distinctly re-
vealed those strong qualities which are visible
throughout his subsequent career. A great,
earnest Englishman of our own day has justly
said that ''sincerity-a great, deep, genuine SIN
cerity, is the first characteristic of all men in any
way heroic" Sincerity of purpose, sustained by
a never fagging, never hesitating, ever working
esolution-sincerity that went forward, and
feared not, is the most marked characteristic of
Jackson. x * Plutarch has observed, in
speaking of one of his heroes, that as the ex-
preston of the eye often gives us more insight
into the character than the whole countenance
besides, so do incidents and anecdotes reveal
more than extended history. There is no char
acter of the war of whom more characteristic
incidents are related than Jackson, or of whom
the incidents are so characteristic. lie was al
together unique and original, and had more in
dividually than any man of his times. He was
a man of infexible qualities. He had neither
quickness and brilliancy of mind. but he was an
excellent illustration of the principle that he who
Can control himself can control others, and his
selfcontrol was nearly perfect BY severe dis
cplne he had acquired the power of concentrat-
! ing 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 practice wonderfully developed
his r,emory and his powers Characterization. He
was never diverted from his studies by the CON
vcrsaton of others, but having once fixed his at
tcntion upon an object he was oblivious to all
+ tbnt oh cIo1
| His punctuality became provcrb among all the
cadets Of the institute lie slept, studied, and
performed all his duties by clock work; and his
| associates knew the time of day by the move
mcnts of Major Jackson. He governed his ply
steal appetitcs with rod of iron Except under
medical advice he never touched ardent spirits.
Toa companion in the army who invited him to
join him in a social glass he said: NO, | am
much obliged to you, but l never use it. | like
it, but | am more afraid oft than Of Federal
bullets "Whcn the people about him. says
DR. Dabney, complained Of headaches or of other
consequences of innprudence, he would say, do
as do; govern yourself absolutely, and you will
not suffer. My head never aches. If thing
disagrees with me, never eat it." He used no
stimuants whatever, neither coffee tea tobacco
or wine-but with rigid simplicity confined him
self to the most abstemious ascetcisin. 1t was
maxim which he carl adopted, and soon illus
trated, That you may be whatever you resolve
to be- and the good sense which preceded, and
the stern determination which followed out his
resolutions sure guarantees of theirs success
full results.
His keen appreciation Of and his warm devo-
ton to principles, indicated moral nature of the
finest and strongest texture. Perhaps he was
Iuurc -rruIulv,.o about small matters tn,u pIIu-
ciple required but it was because he knew that
(nsH to hat
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 satisfac-
ton but reserved manners, his reticent and his
vigorous discipline prevented him from becoming
very popular with the cadets, who are always
most fond of those genial sociable natures which
mngle most freely with them. He not
fueut though lucid in his lectures. 1t is SAID
that in order to acquire facility in lecturng he
joined debating society in Lexington. He Was
at first very awkward and hating in his efforts.
and had frequently to resume his seat in confu-
sion; but he persisted in spite of repeated fail
ures. and became a clear and forcble, though
never eloquent speaker.
In his religious character. jackson revealed
all his earncstness method, industry. and enthu-
siasm, verifying his professions by his deeds
When his mind was exercised for the first time
the subject Of religion, he studied the Bible
before he studied any crecds-hc went to the
fountain head of all orthodox religion at once.
He then awaited 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 settled into Calvnistc Presbyterian
ism. lie has been called fanatic in religion
but not justly; for while he firm to immova-
bilIty in his own opinions, while he carried his
belief in the special interfercnces Of Providence
beyond ordinary creeds he was not only tolerant
but liberal in his views of the religion of others
freely according to the right of perfect freedom
to their opinions which he asserted to his own.
He has been compared to Cromwell very proper
ly, far as his infexible abilities for ruling men
are concerned, but there was nothing of the Pu-
rtan iii his composition. He was of metal equal
~ hard but more finely tempered in the fires Of
a purer Christianity. He ,arricd his whole soul
into the church as into all his undertakings. He
! instructed class OF young men in Lexington IN
, the evidences Of Christianity, and delivered
course of public lectures the same sub icct In
Beverly Randolph county, Virginia. lie foun
ded and taught princi pal Sabbath school of
African slaves, consisting of about one hundred
pupils and twelve teachers Being pleased with
the Hebrew system of religious oblations, he
scrupulously donated 1.-THE of his whole income
to charitable purposes besides literally respond
ing to all special appeals when worthy. His
religion tinged all the acts Of this life. 1t to
him the key of the morning and the bolt of the
night 1t no shining Sunday garment. but
his uniform at home and abroad; his cloak in BIZ
Il