Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1878-06-13
rate the virtues of the lainented


Mr.. Jones was introduced by
Colonel John G. Burch, OF !
Nashville, in few appropriate
remarks, and said the ceremo-
ny to-day discovered to the
large assemblage the monu-
mcnt erected by his children TO
mark the last resting place OF
Andrew Johnson. The reason
for his selection for orator was
due 10 the fact that Tor forty
years he was intimately as
sociatcd with Mr.. johnson and
in accord with his politically views.
Nearly three years have elapsed
since Mr.. johnson, but recent
ly elected TO the highest coun-
ell chambers of the Govern
mcnt, and apparently in robust
health for one who had reached
threc-score years and ten, was
suddenly stricken down, caus-
ing a thrill of sadness through
ont the country. After dwell
ing upon the abundant testimo-
ny of the public TO Mr.. John
sons worth, the speaker re-
viewed in detail his life, COM
mencirg from his birth in RAJ
leigh county, N. c., 1903. The
trials of the poor boy, his sue
cessiyc trimphs, the impeach-
merit proceedings and the hon
ors bestowed on him in the last
years, were all presented at
length. He i"us concluded
with summary Of Mr.. John
sons character:
He did rot affect piety, and
was not communicative of What
ever religious views he enter
tanned. So thoughtful as he
was, it is probable that he held
some, but he kept that account
with his Maker alone. He was
rot without faults, but they
were such as arc common to the
1 best Of mon; and not without
errors, but the balance of his
qualities, great and small, and
of his acts, public and private,
is more largely in his favorthan
that of most men. His roliti-
cal principles were pronounced
and steadlast. He was a JEFF
iersonian Democrat of the in
tenser type, and believed firmly
in the capacity of the people, in
their honesty of purpose, and in
their fidelity TO good govern
ment and social order. Though
to no man has the term been
more Extensively applied, he was
not demagogue, and no faint
of agrarianism defled his
thoughts. He opposed univer-
sal suffrage as alike inexpedi'
ent and unconstitutional in the
manner it was proposed. lie
. did not mislead the people. He
communed with them frankly,
for he did not forget that he
/, did not forget that he was ono
, OF them, and had been of the
humblest. Occasion came wheI
, he differed with the people, ant
he maintained his opinions Will
, fearless candor. He was devo-
, ted TO the Constitution of the
,IUnited States as the chart of
, the wisest and freest Govern
ment ever devised by man. He
] interpreted it by the letter, anc
; insisted that its powers should
, not be enlarged by too liberia
construction. He regarded i
as the palladium OF popular
Government and regulated lib.
erty. He jealousy guarded
the reserved rights ofthe States
! but held that the Union of
o these States formed under thu
: Constitution was essential t.
their preservation. When i
! was imperiled he stood forth it
. mighty champion. Of tina
] struggle others may wear th'
! military laurels, but to him be-
! longs the civic wreath, and il
: the catalogue of its history thu
/ impartial verdict Of after
n times will award HIM the frs
Q place for unselfish patriotism anC
! unequaled powers.
The designs and inscription
h on that chaste marble-the ca
gle, the scroll and the simple
+ line, ellis faith in the people
n never wayered - typlfy TIT
q character it commentaries
Here on this romantic spot
: chosen by himself, that shaf
} will stand, attracting the gaz'
E of those who pass on that grea
Y highway yonder leading to thu
North and TO the South, and Il
: the East and to the West. /
| will become pilgrim shrine t.
@ which generations yet unborn
V shall journey to pay homage t.
the memory of one whose name
+ will grow mole lustrous a
\ time shall lapse. And thest
) majestic mountains, which vii
O not survive his fame, looking
q down, shall sentinel the sepul
! cher Of this statesman, patrio
2 and friend of the people-th'
defender of the Constitution
and the Union.