Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-01-09
TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 8, 1872

was borne to the grave dug in the gar
den for her remains.
Following the pall-bearers came Gen
eral Jackson, with his left hand in the
arm Of General Carroll holding his cane
in his right hand, not grasping It with
the hand over the head, nor with the
thumb up, but with the back Of the hand
up, and holding the point of the cane
forward as he would have carried a sword
and where he stopped at the pile of clay
its point rested on the clods. Weeping
and mourning were heard on every side
but at the moment Of his coming up to
that cold portal of clay fsvorite old
servant Of Mrs. Jackson burst through
the group around the pit, and tried to
get into the grave with the coffin. She
was about sixty years OF age, robust and
strong, and, falling near the brink, got
both feet over the edge OF the grave
when the sexton and others took bold oil
her and prevented her descending, and
were trying to raise her up and remove
her Her cries were agonizing: My
mistress, my best friend, my life, my love
is gone-I will go with herP'
This was but a moment; but, close to
General jackson. we watched him in.
tentIy. Every muscle of his face was
unmoved; steady as rock, without a
teardrop in his eye or quaver in his
voice, he quickly raised the point of his
cane and said, Let that faithful ser.
want weep for her best friend and loved
mistress; she has the right and cause to
mourn for her loss. and her grief is
sweet to rae. The persons who had
hold Immediately released her and left
her sitting over the fresh clods weeping
and there she remained, hindering the
burial. until after awhile some of her
friends persuaded her to leave the side
of the grave and let the ceremony &c
on. The body was let down, dust to
dust was said, the grave was filed up
and shaped into the common mound
which covers poor mortality, and Gene
raj Jackson was led away by General
Carroll back to the northeast room.
The crowd followed, and we got near to
the chief mourner. Arriving fairly into
the room and pausing few moments,
he looked around him, and raising his
voice said:
Friends asd .neighbors, / thank you
for the honor you have done to the
sainted one whose remains now repose
in yond er grave. She is now in the bliss
of Heaven, and I know that she can
suffer here no more on earth. That is
enough for my consolation; my loss il
her gain. But am left without her to
encounter the trials OF life alone. ! am
now the President-elect Of the United
States, and in short time must take
my way tc, the metropolis of my country,
and if it had been Gods will would
have been grateful for the privilege OF
taking her to my post Of honor and seat
ing her by my side; but Providence
knew what was best for her. For my.
self, bow to God will and go alone tc
the place Of new and arduous duties, and
/ shall not go without friends to reward
and / pray God that / may not be al
lowed to have enemies to punish. car
forgive all who have wronged me, bu
will have fervently to pray that may
have grace to enable me to forget Of
forgive an enemy who ever maligneC
that blessed one who is now safe from
all suffering and sorrow, whom. they
tried to put to shame for my sake
This was uttered calmly, firmly, mourn
fully, and in such deep silence of the
crowd that it was audible and distinct
to every one in the room. We can never
forget it. Could he2 The answer tC
the question illustrates his leading trait
of the policy of pugnacity.