Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-01-25

An Eloquent Speech.

.COHu'Ol hhotiil CII1 vi Nhi lSlihu
county, introduced a resolution in
the Senate to the leiftct that the
Senate adjourn in honor of the
anniversary of the battle of New Or
leans, and made the following bril-
liant and eloquent speech in support
Of the same:
MIR. SpEAKER--I have offered this
resolution from no purpose of delay
but to honor our country's history
and the memory Of the dead. Sixty
nine years ago was fought and won
the most successful battle in Amer
lean history. An alarmed, ill-dis-
ciplined army Of American soldicry
met in fierce conflict the trained vet
Grams of England aud drove them,
broken, dispiIited, almost annihila-
ted from the field OF battle. Ameri-
can arms were crowned with unfid-
ing luster, a fair aud beautiful city
was saved from sack and spoliation,
great war brought 10 II successful
termination, aud the American flag
male TO be respected on the high seas.
These men aud their great leader
who won this victory which marks
an era in American history, on tliis
the anniversary Of that glorious day,
demand that their memory shall rc.
ccive our respectful consideration
II this battle is au era, Gen. Jackson
is u central igurc in American his
tory. No man, except the great faith
or OF his country, has written hi
name higher or carved his decd
deeper on that c0untry's history.
Her Clay, her Calhoun aud her Web
>tcr may have had, aud did have Il
more brilliant genius, prOloundcs
wisdom and@lpre convincing logic;
but theirs was the cloqucncc Oi
words, which passed away, while
jackson's was the bOll and conf p C
uous prominence Of deeds, whic'
never die. jackson was great It's Il
soldier, great as a statesman, but
great as he was in these, there was
an element of greatness in his priv ,tc
life which lifted HIM UP almost to
the regions Of the gods. 1t was his
unfaltcring, unswcrvins lo'e 1 +
his wife. 4 woman lOvable and geu.
Tie, yet rcmorscless slander assailcd
her.
"Chastc ms the ioicie4
Which curdcd by the iros, from purest snow
Aud hangs on Diana's temple"
She did not escape de,raction, u
calumny pursued her to an untlnc
" grave. Jackson never forgot her
aud never forgave her traducers.
An insulting Lemark about her cost
Diekenson his life, and when she
died he stood by her open grave and
wcpt like a child. This strong man
this mau who had met aud circum
vented all the wiles OF barbarouS
foe; who, sick and wounded, had
faced mutiny in his own camp and
quelled it with his steady nerve and
fearless glance, who had stood un
moved on the fiery field of Chalmeltr
and at New Orleans, and seen h s
bclching batteries NOW down thr
trained veterans of England, fresh
with Peninsular laurcls--this iron
man stood by the grave of q woman
and while his soul was wruny with
auguislLRnd his frame shook with
emotion, said: .n
"God might forgive her traducers,
but he never would" i.ttM|
1t is well for us, Mr.. Speaker, to
pause for while in our onward rush
and do honor TO our country's history
and the heroes who made it. The
stones of victory which mark the
troddeu paths of the past are moi
numerous, aud few, very few, are the
imperishable names in our history'>
page. Blessed is that country which
has a history to remember, an thrice
blessed that people who honor it.
The poet of the far South, Father
Ryan, has cmbalmed this lofty senti'
mcnt in beautiful and undying
verse:
"Yes give me the land where the ruins ar
spread.
And the living bead light o'cr the hearts of til
dead.
Yes give ine the land that hath graves in eac
spot.
And names in the graves that will not be for
got.n
Mprphy-Robinson,