Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-17
INTERESTING RgmIKIscEEcE.
"Ihe Union, 1t Must ana Shall Be
Preserved"
A Famous Declaration Of Gen.
Jackson. aud How ID Was
Called Forth.


a reporter OF the American, who
happened TO be present when two
venerable citizens Of Nashville were
talking about old times, takes the
liberty Of repeating the part OF their
conversation that throws light upon
the origin Of that celebrated senti-
ment oil General Jackson, declaring
that the Union must be preserved.
Il happen to know, said one Of
them, something about the reason
why the General uttered that partiou-
lar sentiment, and on what occasion. E"
From whom did you receive your
information" said the other.
From our old friend, Major VIM
b. Lewis, about twenty years ago. We
know he was a bosom friend of the
General, here at home and at Wash
ingtou during his entire administra-
ton. II was about the year 1882, |
think, that the leading Wings in
Congress met on the evening Of
the 22d of February, and most
gloriously celebrated Washingtou's
birthday, Mr.. Webster and other
distinguished orators making elo-
quent speeches from the text OF the
farewell address, ardsntly expressing
their devotion to the Federal Union,
and taking the high ground that under
no circumstances whatever should it
be dissolved. To these sentiments
there was, at that time, q responsive
chord in all parties, except in the small
party who sympathized with and fol
lowed Mr.. Calhoun, OF South Carolina
Yet the entire Democratic party was
not little FESTIVE under the march
which the Wings had thus stolen upon
them as monopolizing partisan thur
der That did not exclusively belong
to them And when it was suggested
that a counterbalancing movement
should be made on Jcfferson's birth
day, the friends OF Mr.. Calhoun step
ped in with alacrity to champion il
And here comes in the reliable infor
nation given me by our old friend,
Msjl Lewis. Ga the morning OF
Jetferson's birthday, Duff Greens
Telegraph (the organ of Mr.. Calhoun
appeared with a rallying leader shad
owing forth from It's own standpoint
the objects Of obs Democratic meeting
to be held that evening. called
(without the Major on General jack
son early In the forenoon as usual and
found him within his private apart.
ment, smoking his pipe in his morning
gown, when invited his attention to
the article in the Telegraph, which
he hid not yet seen. After reading
it, he remarked that it would
seem the meeting was to be not al
much 10 memory Of Jefferson as 10 the
interest of Mr.. Calhoun and his heresy
Of notification. He laid aside his
pipe, read the article second time
broadly smiled. and said as he had
beeBinvited to attend he would SEND
them toast 1t was the prinoipa
topic Of conversation at the Whit,
House during the day, the General, al
usual, askiOg every ones opinion
while no doubt he had already mad,
up his mind what he would do To,
wards evening he called Major Don
nelson, his Private Secretary, and die
tated brief regret that he could no
attend, as well as the following senti
ment to accompany il: Our Fedora
Union-it must be preserved" Wher
read TO the meeting it was adopet
with rousing cheers, while Mr.. Cal
hOun aud his friends staggered undel
it as a regular broadside.
"All who knew Mejor Lewis anC
his intimacy with General Jackson
will not hesitate to believe thai
this was exactly as it is repre-
sented to have been. And there is al
amusing incident of much later dat,
illustrative OF their intimacy that j.
not uninteresting While Genera
Iordon Granger commanded tn,
Federal forces here toward the clos,
Of the late civil war, Major Lewis ap
piled to him for pass to visit New
York, which was given to him in thes,
terms: Major William b. Lewis
OF General Andrew Jaokson's staff, 4
authorized to travel on all the rail
roads OF the United States" 1t woulC
seem that the Federal General sough
TO pass for wag, as jackson haC
been dead nearly twenty years. Majo
Lewis said when he reached New
York he found it to be the best lette
Of credit he had ever received in thI
whole course Of his liie."