The Portland daily press., 1892-12-24

THE OLD LOG CABIN.
sistent and fiery American soldier, whose
type reached perfection in Andrew Jack
son.
''Old Hickory!" Superb sobriquetl
Though years have drifted over his grave
the principles of the statesman live and
the memory of the soldier is green. And
every patriot loves him for what he said
at Washington and for what he did at
New Orleans.
Though Democrat of the old school
Andrew Jackson belonged neither to
party nor section. The nation claims
him as one of its great men and famous
warriors. There is now golden oppor
tunity for the nation to show in what
reverence his memory is held and to
raise it's hand against the vandalism of
greed which would sweep away most
precious landmark Of history-The Her
mitage-Jackson's old home near Nash
vile.
The general assembly of the state of
Tennessee has assigned to the care of the
Ladies' Hermitage association, of Nash
vile, the house and tomb of General
jackson and twenty-five surrounding
acres to improve and preserve in last
ing memory of the hero of New Orleans.
This property was purchased years ago
by the state from the adopted son of
General jackson, with the proviso that
his wife remain there during her life.
Mrs. jackson died three years ago, when
the state handed over the historic man
sion to The Hermitage association.
When the energetic and patriotic
southern gentlewomen who formed this
association took possession of the noble
mansion they found ruin and decay
everywhere prevalent upon the estate.
The little log cabin where ''Old Hickory"
lived for fifteen years was complete
wreck. "Its chimney was falling down
and its roof was caving in" Up at the
brave old mansion affairs were not much
better. The roof leaked, the plaster had
fallen in all the rooms, and the wall
paper was discolorM and peeling. Out
buildings were tottering, fences tuln-
bling down, and the melancholy of ruin
was fast settling over the entire place.
Tie mansion has been rooted, plaster
ing and paper have been repaired, fences,
drives and outbuildings put in shape
and the log cabin fully restored, even
to the kitchen fireplace, before which
"Uncle Aft" the ancient negro body
servant of the general, still sits, and gaz-
ing in its ruddy flames lives over the
eventful past.
The Hermitage is a magnificent speci-
men of colonial architecture. The ap-
proach through long avenue bordered
by grand old trees is indescribably pic
turesque. Across its antique porticoes
and massive pillars brush low, dropping
boughs, and the warm sunshine touches
the old house with loving fingers. The
great carved door, with its resounding
knocker, stands open. Enter the old
fashioned hall, long and broad enough
for modern ballroom. It is papered
with highly colored scenes and incidents
in the life of Telemachus.
This paper was bought by General
Jackson in France in 1887 and is in
an excellent state Of preservation. The
pictures hang on the walls just as Jack
son left them. There are two very fine
portraits Of Mrs. jackson, by Earle, and
any number Of portraits Of the general,
the most interesting perhaps being that
taken by order of the French gov:
eminent five days before his DEATH
Quaint claw footed mahogany sofas and
chairs are scattered about. A superb
winding stairway leads to the rooms
above, while on either side stretch apart
ments whose hospitable dimensions
speak volumes of dead and gone cheer.
In the drawing room the antique piano,
with its yellow keys, the bronze and gilt
candelabra, the or1nolu tables, the velvet
hangings, the rare bric-a-brac, which
would send a connoisseur wild with de-
light, possess the fascination of the past.
In the generals bed chamber stands tn
four post bed on which he died.