The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-04-29

He controlled himself, when he wished to DO so
whatever has been said to the contrary, for
could have such enduring and permanent control
9th no was able to control himself A
who knows himself and others always
troll himself and others, and thus his knowledge be-
comes power. He possessed that and heroic
courage, cOnjOined with strong and determined will,
which is rarely to be met with and hard to define,
and, when joined with that knowledge which is pow
er, makes any great.
1t such a courage as shrank from danger,
but rather went to meet it; feared responsible
biity, but invited and assumed it; sought to
share the burden of it with others, but
ready and willing to bear it alone a leader should
wearing mask, but facing consequences with
steady nerve and unquaing eye, frankly and boldly
in the broad light Of day.
No man had bitterer enemies than he, but his
worst enemy never accused him of dishonesty in
sincerity. Always sincere and honest himself. and
intensely loyal to his friends hypocrisy disloyalty
to friendship was to him an objectionable sin.
While always tender and true (even to the verge Of
sentiment for intensely practical he was to
those who loved him, he yet the sternest knight
to mortal foe that ever laid lance in rest.
"a Tie faults were due much to his time and
roundings; his virtues cannot be too highly esti-
mated now, for, such they were, they are the
greatest need of American public men-individual
energy, inAexible decision, straightforward sincerity
unfiinching courage, stainless truth.
Uniting steadiness of purpose and frmness Of
nerve with personal and moral courage almost IN
Paraeed in the pages of history, he always dared do
that he thought right to do There were no
cowardly hesitatiOns to annoy him, and fear OF
consequences appalled, him. While man of the peo-
pie, understanding them, and understood by them
yet he feared to face the people, to oppose
public sentiment when he believed it wrong
Whether we look on him the young prisoner of
10 years who would receive sabre cut before he
would black the boots OF enemy; in early
hood on the Tennessee border amid the dangers and
difficulties Of early history or as a military
chieitain in a day without railroad or telegraph,
when responsible position required firm decided and
Independent action President, in his with
the United States Bank his veto Of the Maysvile
bill, we find the traits of character, fixed
and prominent the nature of the man the heart
daring, the will never bending, and the iron
hand and nerve that faltered. Possessing re-
markable knowledge of and the clearest insight
into all phases of human character, he knew what
friends he could rely, attached them to him with
hooks of steel, returning their attachment with
unwavering loyalty and strength. ~
First among these friends, and undoubtedEAone to
whom he gave entirely his confidence and love,
was John Overton, another among the names of our
early representative men that not born TO die.
John OYerton was born in Virginia the 9Th of
April, 17GG, and to Nashville in I7s9 when only
% years Of age. This shorty afr Jacksons
q
devoted, began betw them, which had not a
moments in eruption during their lives They &C.
cupied the same Office, partners in land
actions, and though differing much in temperament
and tastes and having different el Is of action each
knew well the solid value of the other and recog-
nzed the SUI eIiOrity of the other in his own pecu
liar sphere.
OvertOn the who inauguTated the first
systematic effort presenting JacksOn's for the
Pr, sidency, and no worked, perhaps, longer and
more unremittingly than any other for the accom-
plshment of this result in his usual quiet and I'M
pretentiOus, but wise and determined way. Having
the full confidence of Jackson and made acquainted
through frequent, uninterrupted and most con-
fdental correspondence with his motives he knew
how to appreciate and defend him, as he did most
ably, in public articles under the signature OF Aris-
tides, when Jackson attack d about his conduct
of matters in the Territory of FloIi1a It Jackson
did not require his ADVICE, he always desired his
appreciation, and at the time of the most important
acts Of hrs life, find him whiting to his lifelong
riend-a letter the day before the battle Of the Horse
Shoe letter the day Ofthe veto the Baysviile Bill
and many such occasions not for ddgice, Jack
son made up always his own mind, but he wanted
his chiefest and frmest friend know how and why
he had made it up, whose cool Judgment, clear head,
and warm, strong heart he knew SO well. The
of whom he said when he heard of his DEATH G,The
best half of me is gone,'' and again. that lest
friends, his wife and John Oyer:on were now IN
Heaven and he hoped to meet them both there
John Overton, like his friend, always equal to
the occasion He was one of the leaders Of his
kind, man with whom to undertake was to accom-
plish, and in whatever field of action called
or adopted, his place became first, because he was
worthy to fill it.
So n after the removal to Nashville be was ap
pointed by Gen. Washington supervisor of Revenue
the State which place he held until elected Judge
of the Superior Court of Law and Equity. Retaining
this until the court abol shed and the upreme
Court of Errors and Appeals established, he was
elected Judge of the latter which Office he resigned
in 1916.
Before going upon the bench he had been engaged
actively and energeticay in the practice OF his pro-
fession the law, and had risen to the highest place
amorg his brethren of the leading lawyers OF
the State. Emnently systematic and methOdioal in
his habits, his position Supervisor of Revenue
in no way obstacle to success in his profession
or careful attention to his extensive and lucrative
practice. A thorough lawyer in all respects, yet in
that particular branch growing out Of land titles and
their litigation (around which at that time the
largest interests centered, and upon which almost
new branch of jurisprudence had to be worked out
and establishedy, his learning profound and
extensive
It is only necessary to refer the lawyers Of the
State to the case Of Phillips lessee vs.. Robertson ID
Overons reports 399, to obtain recognition Of the