The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-04-17
The Widow Of StOnewaM Jack
son.
To the Register:

Gu inc CRIMSON ClOSS. MS is lux
reputed offer by the administration Of
the post, Offices at Lexington anc
Richmond, Va, to the widow of Gen
Jackson.
This must have originated in Vir-
GINA, and for the purpose of reconcil-
ing the warring factions of the Repnb,
licau party in that State, led respect
lively by Malone and Wise, and other
ex-Confederates, for the very name OF
Jackson has magic sound to the PEG.
pie of the Old Dominion. That there
is political motive at the bottom of it
is apparent from the fact that Mrs.
Jackson is resident of North Carroll
ma, and the first position offered is in
Lexington, Gen. Jackson's old home,
and where his body now lies, and when
refused, one at Richmond, the capital
of his native State and Of the Confed-
eracy which he served so we'll, For
one | wish to enter my protest at this
seeming attempt to make political cap
ital out Of the memory and fame fmy
old commander. This is done in no
sectional or partisan spirit, for have
long ago been reconstructed, and the
same feeling would exist were | Re-
publican, or had President Cleveland
made the same offer with similar mo-
Itives. Gen. Jackson was no politician.
Previous to the stirring days of 81 be
was bnt a quiet citizen and christian
gentleman. Educated as he had been
and serving for years in the U. S. ar
my, the dissolution of the Union must
have been opposed by every instinct of
his nature. Bat when the die was
cast, aud he had to take sides, and his
native State, and that State Virginia,
called him to her defence, there could
be but one alternative. "Noblesse oh
lige" How we'll he did what he con-
ceived to be his duty let history tell.
The name and fame of Lee are dear
to every southern heart, bnt the feel
ipgs entertained by those who served
under Jackson towards their command,
Ell can scarcely be explained to others.
The difference was noticeable in the
reception always given to each by
Jackson's own command. Gen. Jack
son was generally on detached daty,
and his men seldom saw Gen. Lee
When "Mars Robert" as he was ia
miliarly called, appeared, play or
work was stopped, every hat was doF-
ed, and in reverent silence all gazed
until he disappeared. Tue appearance
of "Old Jack" las we all called him,
on all occasions was greeted by tu-
multuous cheers, hats were thrown into
air and men acted as if Wild. At the
first shout old Sorrel would mechani-
cally break into a gallop, off would
come the Generals old weather beaten
cap, and he has been seen to ride thus
in the rain a mile Or more. This was
so often repeated as to coin an army
proverb by those in the distance,
jackson Or a rabbit"
1t may be that those who marched
under Longstreet or Anderson may
not altogether agree with us, bat will
any of "Jackson's web-feet" say nay
when pronounce him in my humble
opinion the greatest military genius
this continent has ever produced, and
had his life been prolonged Che died
at So and opportunity offered, bis
name would have gone down in history
linked with that grend quartette of ia
nous warriors of ancient and modern
times: Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar
and Napoleon. When he fell the
hopes of the Confederacy withered
There can be only one plea offered
for the acceptance of such a position
under these circumstances. That Of
poverty. Too we'll do many of the
widows and orphans of the Southern
soldiers know its bitter pangs. l dc
not know Mrs. Jackson's circumstan.
ces. Her father has now for nearly a
generation passed the time allotted tc
man on earth by the psalmist, but the
great American church of which be
was for so long a faithful and honored
servant would never allow him tc
want Her only child is married, and
it would not need an appeal from her.
self but only let the fact be known
that Jacks0n's widow needed aid, ant
the purse of every old Confederate
would be opened, no matter how pool
or "wherever dispersed" upon the
shrine of the great chieftain who has
long ago "crossed over the river tc
rest meath the shade of tho trees"
Let the ashes of our departed heroes
rest in peace, free from the fires O.
sectional hate and partisan strife
The graves of our dead are very dear
to the few of US who yet remain, ane
in them have been put away foreve
many sacred thoughts and memories
as men hide the trinkets of a dead
dead love.
"The foemen need not frown;
They are all pewerless now.
We gather them here and lay them dowr
And tears and prayers are the only crown
We bring to wreath each brow"
AN OLD SOLDIER
OF the End Corps, A. N. V.