Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1882-03-16
Old Hickory on Imperialism.

Nothing could more clearly ex-
press the old hero's republican ideas
and the grand simplicity OF his life
than the following letter from Con-
gresham Mckenzie, which we CO.
py, with the editors prefatory re-
marks, from the Cadiz, Ky, Tele-
phone:
We make no apology for giving
place to the following eloquent
outburst Of Andrew jackson to
Commodore Elliott. And notwitdl-
standing the letter of Mr.. McKen-
zie was not designed FOR publica
ton, it breathes such a spirit of
pure patriotism we take the liberty
of publishing it also. In this age
of Imperialism especially do we
recommend it to the satellites Of
Gen. Grant and my lord Conkling,
in the hope of directing their at
tention from the regal splendors of
a foreign court to the more pardon
able contemplation Of the si,nplici
ty of American institutions.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 1882.
Editors Ielephone:
DEAR SIRs.--I have your letter of
the Sd instant asking me to procure
for you for publication, a copy OF
Gen. Jackson's declaration of the
sarcophagus of Alexander Severus,
as a final resting place. You will
! doubtless re.nember that the sarcoph-
agus was obtained in Palestine, by
Commodore Elliott, and was believed
to have contained the ashes Of the
Rcmna Emperor, Alexander Severus
Commodore Elliott, on the 18th oi
March, 1S45, formally rendered this
ssrcophagus to Gen. Jackson, con
cluding with these words: 81 pray
you, General, to live on in the fear o
the Lord; dying the death of Ro
man soldier. An E,nperor's coffiu
awaits you!''
The General replied: "With the
warmest sensations that can inspir {
q grateful heart, l must decline the
honor intended to be bestowed.
cannot consent that my mortal bod y
shall be laid IN repository prepared
for an emperor or king. My republi
can feelings and principles forbid it
tie simplicity Of our system of gov
ernment torbids it +; every monunen
erected to perpetuate the memory Q
our heroes and statesmen ought tt
bear evidence of the economy anC
simplicity of our republican lnstitu-
tions, and the plainness of our repub
lican citiZeLs, who are the soverelgn'
of our glorious Union, and whose
virtue is to perpetuate 1t. True, yir
tue cannot exist where pomp ant
parade are the governing passions; i
can only dwell with the people-th
great laboring and producing classes
that form the bone and sinew of Ou
confederacy. I have prepared Al
humble repository for my mortal bod.
) beside that wherein lies my belove'
wife, where, without any pomp or pa
rade, have requested, wher my Co
, calls me to sleep with my fathers, t.
, be laid; for both of Us there to re
main until the last trumpet sounds t
! call the dead to judgment, when we
| hope, shall rise together clothe
with that heavenly body promised t
all who believe in our glorious Re
deemer, who died for us that "
might live, and by whose atonemen
l hope for blessed immoi talitY."
These are grand words, and in thi
age Of glare and glitter and imPeria
istic tendencies might well be kef
before the American people as embo
dying principles which, if followe
: Alright, would lead US back to th
purer and better days of the republic
I ! have the honor to be very trul
: your friend, ]. A. MCKENZIE.