The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-27

but not yet In bed. rs supposed he must be
by that time Ho was sitting at a little table,
with his wife's miniature-a very large one
then for the first time seen by me-before him.
propped UP against some books: and between
him and the picture lay an open book. which
bore tho marks OF long use. This book. as af-
forward lcarncd.was her prayer book. The min
iuturc he always worc next to his heart. sus-
pended round his neck by a strong black cord.
Tho last thing he did every night, before ly-
ing down to rest, was to read in that book, with
that picture under his eyes,"
v.
Was jackson implicated in the plot framed
by Aaron Burr to dissolve tho Unionp MIR.
Henry Adams. in his lately published history.
conveys an impression. though no does not
make tho assertion In round terms. that Gen.
Jackson was cognizant of Burr's reasonable
designs, and in sympathy with them. In the
book before us oil the extant data bearing on
this matter are carefully inspected and MIR.
Dyer arrives at the conclusion that they do not
offer any evidence of any knowledge of Burrs
treason or sympathy with him ON Jacksons
part. Ho insists that, fairly construed. the
facts point tho other way. Much has been
made of the circumstance that young Hays.
Mrs Jackson nephew. was proteG6 OF Burr's
and that on his departure from Nash
vile to New Orleans Gen. jackson gave tho
young man letter for Gov. Claiborne.
Mr.. Adams takes for granted that this was a
lettcr of introduction. but there seems to DO no
authority for the assertion. Young Hays need
ed no letter of introduction to Claiborne. who
was an intimate friend Of his fathers. and
from Hays's own statement It is Il fair infer
ence that the letter was one of warning. in
tended for Cluiborne's private eyes. Hays's ac-
count Of the matter is that when jackson snvo
him tho letter Ito deliver he urged the young
man in the most earnest manner to leave Burr
if at any time the latter disclosed any views or
intentions inimica to tho interests or intcg-
rity of tho Government. Moreover. it is un-
disputed that in November. 1906 whom Jack
son was warned OF Burr's intention he evinced
n violent and total change Of feeling: he wrote
an admonitory letter to Gov. Claiborne. ut
New Orleans. and another to Presi-
dent Jefferson. offering the services Of his di-
vision of militia :" in the event OF insult or ag-
grcssion made on our Government or country
from any quarter" Mr.. Dyer. OF course. ac-
knowlcdgcs that it is easy to show what Jack
son himself never denied. that he was Burr's
personal friend. and that after Burr's trial and
acluittal he disbelieved the charges Of treason
that had been made against him. 1t by no
means follows that he had any guilty knowledge
of the conspiracy. and Mr.. Dyer pronounces it
impossible to convince the American people
that Gen. Jackson ever sympathizcd With any
attempt to dismember tho Union. or that no
would have winkcd at any scheme involving
treason to the flag which from his childhood
he was always ready to defend with his life.
However unjust 1t was there existed in the
minds of Jefferson and OF his successor. Mad
ison. suspicion that Jackson had not viewed
rotation. Unless. therefore. some vigorous
stop had been taken by Jackson to demonstrate
his loyalty to tho general Government, it Is
probable that no would have played no active
part in tho war of 1912. In that event there is
no reason to suppose that he would have been
elected President. But Madison's Admnistra-
ton had delayed the declaration OF war against
Great Britain for no other reason than because
it forcsaw great difficulty in raising the reaui-
site number Of troops. Scarcely soldier could
be expected from New England, which Mt that
crisis was disloyal. not to say scccssionist, and
wherever in the Middle States the Federal
lists were strong. 1t was foreseen that recruit
ing would BIO almost impracticable The bear
ing OF the situation on Jackson's future was
recognized by Thomas H. Benton then lawyer
living in Nashville. Some months before tho
declaration OF war Benton perceived tho sig
the President to accept organized bodies of
volunteers to the number OF $4,000 to servo
for one year. and to be called into service when
an emergency should require 1t. On the re-
ceipt of the news Of the passage Of that meas
ure Benton at once mounted his horse and
rode to tho Hermitage. where he had long
been a favored guest Ho reached tho GEN
erals log house about twilight and found him
sitting alone before the fire with a lamb
and child between his knees. HE started
n little" Benton narrated aftcrward. called
n servant to remove the two innocents to an
other room, and explained to me how it was.
The child had cried because the lamb was out
in tho cold. and begged him to bring it in.
which he had done to please tho child. his
adopted son. then not years old" Benton
lost no time in communicating his project
He knew very well that Jackson could raise
volunteers enough for general division. and
urged him to issue tho call. Before leaving
tho Office Benton had drawn up a plan for the
organization OF three regiments. foreseeing
that II these should be In good condition for
service at tho outbreak OF war; the Adj
ministration. in the urgent need that
would then exist for disciplined SOL
dicrs. would gladly accept their scr
vices. although. as he we'll knew. Jackson was
out OF favor with the Administration. Benton
was right The news that war with Great
Britain was declared on June IL reached
Nashville in eight days. Five days later Gen.
Jackson offered to President Madison. through
tho Governor OF TENNESSEE. the services OF
his division Of $500 volunteers or course
the offer was most cordially accepted.
W.
We need not recapitulate tho shameful blum
dcrS and disasters OF tho war OF 1919 so FAR