The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-14

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Me- x ~ 1y5sg1i't are saying in sub
tSIs&, Ri + Z ~ yZL stance, 1.-The Her
NY mitage, the home
of Old Hickory, must and shall be pre-
served"
The general assembly of the state of Ten
nessee has assigned to the care of the La
dies Hermitage association of Nashville
the house and tomb of General Jackson
and twenty-five surrounding acres, to i'm
prove and preserve in lasting memory of
the hero of New Orleans.
This property was purchased by the state
years ago from the adopted son of General
jackson, with the proviso that his wife re-
main there during her life. Mrs. Jackson
died there three years ago. when the state
handed over the historic mansion to the
Hermitage association.
Colonel Jackson, son of Old Hickory's
adopted son. still lives there, and will do so
until the association either buys the furni-
ture and relics from him or gives up its op-
ton Of 81 800 on them.
This option has two years more to run,
and the gentlewomen who are interested in
the conservation of this historic spot are
working heart and hand to save the grand
old place and preserve it, not alone for the
state of Tennessee, but, like Mount Yer
non, for Mecca for patriotic Americans.
1t was the suggestion of Governor Robert
L. Taylor, of Tennessee, that the privileges
of the association should be extended to
every citizen of America Andrew Jack
sons illustrious name" said the governor,
belongs not to one state, but to the entire
nation, and all the people should have equal
privilege in becoming participants in this
noble work, and while Tennessee, | believe,
stands alone among the states in having
purchased and preserved for public use the
manor of a distinguished son, she recog-
nizes the property right of the nation in his
memory, and gladly surrenders to the
keeping of the whole people the sacred
duty and privilege of caring for and per
petuating it."
The indifference of the American public
to the demolition of historic houses is pro
verbal. One by one these landmarks are
swept away by the vandal progress. 1t is
really amazing that there is not round
house or grain elevator at Mount Vernon
and row of apartment houses on the
Alexander Hamilton estate
The brave old house" near Nashville,
with its appurtenances and relics should
be of inestimable value to the country. 1t
is the ambition of the association TO make
it national museum, which shall invite
pilgrims from north and south.
The mansion is a superb specimen of Co
lonial architecture, with its great pillars,
broad porticos and hospitable rooms.
Grand old trees shade it, and their
boughs droop across the balconies where
once the gentle Rachel jackson walked
Indeed, the tender melancholy of this fair
woman's life seems indissolubly blended
with every nook and corner of the Hermit
age, the home to which she was devoted,
and from which destiny decreed she should
not wander far.
The story of Rachel Jackson's life is
romance. She was wonderfully beauti
ful woman, with lovely disposition and
deep personal piety. In her youth she con
tracted an unfortunate marriage with
man her inferior in every respect and from
whom she was divorced Ghe love of Gen
eral jackson for his sweet wife amounted
TO idolatry, and during his momentous
career he never escaped from the influence
of her personality. He wore her miniature
on his heart till his death, and no matter
what his cares or pleasures, he always
communed with her portrait and her Bible
at the close of each busy day
Mrs. Jackson cared very little for the
honors of this world and longed for moth
ing so much as the time when her husband
would finish with politics, for he assured
her that when that time came and only
then could he become Christian. Here
is story illustrative of the great moral
influence Mrs. jackson held over her hus-
band.
Old Hickory was an adept in profanity.
When occasion required he could paralyze
his listeners by the breadth and variety of
his swearing. 1t was during an exciting
political campaign, and just after Mrs.
jackson had told guest that she thought
the general was disposed to be religious,
and that but for the coming presidential
election she believed would join the church,
when he entered the room. with an opposi-
ton newspaper in his hand, like Saul
breathing out threateninSs and slaughter,
interspersed with delightfully."- picturesque
oaths. He swore until he was nearly out
of breath, when his gentle wife approached
him and looking him squarely in the face
said simply, MIR. Jackson" The great
general who had conquered everything
that had come his way was subdued at
once and ceased his profanity.