National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-21
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I The proposition to transfer the remains Of
President Andrew jackson 70 the Tennessee
late capitol grounds IN Nashville has brought
out once more the following letter, u which be
distinctly and earnestly expressed tie desire
shat 81 bis death Bic remains should entered
beside those Of his beloved wife, n the tomb
and upon the spot where they nov tsss- Tie
sarrophagus referred 70 vas he repository q
the Roman Emperor Alexander seEeras, pro
cured At Beyroot, IN Syria, BY commoGors
Jesse d. Elliott, who tfought Il 70 the UuItea
States in the year 1889, on board the frikats
Constitution, and presented It to the NatIonal
Institute Is 3 rssthg-plaes foE he remains -
General jackson. In reply 70 the Ofsr General
jackson thus wrote
HER,urxcE. lurch 2. is.
DEAR SIN: Your letter Of the 18th instant,
together with the copy Of the proceedings q
the National institute, furnished me b. their
corresponding SECRETARY, on the presentation
By you Of the sarcophagus for thar scceptanee
on condition It shall be preserved, and IN honor
Of my memory, have been received and are noW
before me- Although laborng under great
debility and afiiction from s severe attack
from which 1 may not recover raise my pen
and endeavor 70 reply. The steadiness Of ny
nerves may perhaps lead you 70 conclude NJ
expressed Strange As It may appear, my
nerves are as steady as they were forty years
gone By, while from debility and afiictIon
am gaspfng fer breath. hive rad the
whole proceedings Of the presentation By yoa
Of the sarcophagus, and the resolutions 1sssed
BY the board Of directors 20 honorable to nv
fame, with sensations Of feelings more easflT
conjeetured than By me expressed The
whole proceedings call for my most glatefuI
thanks, which are hereby rendered 70 yOu,
and through you 10 the F.ss-.1a..s At the
National Institute 6n5 5-atsf-l bso-te
must decline accepting the honor intended 70
be bestowed. l cannot consent that my NOR
tai llody shall be laid In a repository prepared
for an emperor or king-my republican FEEL
ings and principles for bid 1.-THE simplicity az
cur system OF government forbids il. Every
monument erected to peFpesuate the memory
Of OR heroes and statesmen ought 70 bear eFi-
dence Of the economy and simplicity Of our re-
publican Institutions and the plainness Of ou-
republican citizens, who are the soFe.aigns Or
this glorious Union. and whose virtue IS 70 peri
petuate it. True virtue cannot exist Where
pomp and parade are the governing passions
1t can only dwell with the people, the great
laboring and producing classes, thar form the
bone and sinew Of our ccnfederacy. For these
reasons cannot accept the honor you and the
president and directors OF the National Inssi-
tute intended 70 bestow. cannot pernlt ny
remains 10 be the first In these United States
70 be deposited in a sareophagus made for An
emperor or king. again repeat, please ac-
eept for yourself and convey TO the president
and directors Of the National Institute my pro-
found respects for the honor you and they in
tended to oestoW. 1
have prepared humble depository for ny
mortal body beside that wherein lies my BE-
loved wife, where, without any pomp or pa
rade, have requested, when my God eslls ne
70 sleep with my fathers, 10 be laid for both q
we, hope, shall rise together, clothed with
that heavenly body promised 70 sll Who BE-
heve In our glorious Redeemer, who died or rs
that we might live and BY whose at0nemsnt I
hope for blessed immortality.
! am, with great respect, your friend and isl-
low-citizen, AEDREW JACKSON.
10 Rca. ,. D. Elliot, Unttsd States Eaus.