The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-05
''OLDHICKORY'S"CANDLE
LIGHTED AT THE BRILLIANT HER
MIrAGE BALL.

O9 LEON q SC6nS OF SDlSuQlQ Beauty
During the Festivities The Ad-
dresses of Minister Porter and eenor
Romero.
ST. AUGUSTINE. FLA. Feb. 4-The ball
rendered the ladies OF the jackson Hermit
age Association at the Ponce de Leon to-
night by Henry NJ. Flagler is the most
brilliant known in this city. Gov. and Mrs.
Fleming of Florida were present. Ex-Gov.
A. q. Porter, United States minister TO
Italy, made an address when lighting the
historic candle. Senior Romero, represent
ing President Diaz Of Mexico, responded.
After burning a moment it was extin-
guished by John @. Christopher of
Jacksonville, representing Mrs President
Harrison.
The beautiful hotel is lighted by thou
sands Of brilliant lights of variegated
colors. The ball room, the surrounding
everything is vision of beauty. The as
sociation IS put to little expense, as Mr..
Flagler defrays all cost. They will be able
to carry out much Of their object by his
generosity.
People representing all parts Of the United
States are indulging in the festivities, and
fully l,000 are present. A portrait of Gen.
jackson. draped in flags, adorns the north
end Of the ball room, and his sword and
relics are exhibited. Capt. Thomas M.
Woodruff. commanding the barracks,
with his staff and company
officers in full uniform, are
in attendance representing the army of the
United States. Gov. f. p. Fleming of
Florida, Judge Nathaniel Baxter Of Nash
vile. Col. I. T. Wright, ex-Gov. A. G.
Porter Of Indiana, Maj. Richards, Capt.
Coffin, Or. Waterman of Indiana, Henry
M. Flagler and Senor Romero are among
those present.
Ex-6ov Porter made the following speech
when presenting the historic candle to Senior
Romero representative of President Dlaz
of Mexico:
EX-Gov. PoRTER's ADDRESS.
Names rendered glorious and historic
by our late cruel conflict have cast into OBJ
scurity many names that before were cele-
brRted; but there is a name that has not
been obscured or dimmed by any other-the
name of Andrew Jackson. That name
stands az fresh and strong as it did when
he performed the achievem ments that have
made him illustrious. jackson possessed
the truest and highest military genius. He
took advantage OF occasions; he turned ad-
vantage instantly into account, without res
sorting to any Of the arts which are sup
posed to win popularity. He was in his day
Americas most popular citizen. l remem-
Der that in my own state of Indiana, several
years before he was chosen President, three
conventions representing distinct political
parties were held in one of the counties. In
two of the conventions jackson was recon-
mended for the presidency; in the other he
was recommen led for the vice-presidency.
As great as was the popularity of
Jefferson 1 think it will be found in the south
and west at least. that many more town
| ships have be named for jackson than were
called for jefferson, Madison and Monroe
together. When jackson entered upon the
office of President his opponents believed
that he possessed infrmities which would
make him fail as political leader, but he
turned out to be one of the mightiest
forces in politics.
ut is doubtful whether jefferson could
inspire men to action as well as he We all
agree that jackson was a great military
leader, and as such rendered ilustrious ser
vi ces to his country, and though some who
are here may not have agreed with him in
politics we can at least all agree that he was
honest and a great political force.
1t is the duty of patriotism to respect
and honor the me nory Of great meu, and
so we have assembled here tonight in this
most ancient city of the United States full
of historic memories under the auspices of
the jackson Hermitage Association, to con-
tribute the sum produced by social entertain
men5 toward edorning and beautifying
the home of Gen. jackson, The Hermit
hk0e dS Lo OtlA2EbSQ W call IL, Wu6T0 n6
lived 50 happily and where his remains re-
pose, and toward the purchase Of interesting
relics which have been preserved at that
home and are intimately associated with
his deeds and memory.
'It is related of the great Lord Chatham
that he could never trust himself to speak
when he was charged with a great state
secret. Well, hold in my hands a historic
candle, which is tonight to be lighted and
extiDguished in your presence. 1t has
most interesting history and | am almost
bursting to tell it to you. 1t was expected
that Senior Romero, minister of the repub-
lie of Mexico to the United States, would be
here tonight to reveal the secret to you,
but his engagements have prevented him
from coming. and so lie has
delegated the pleasing duty to his brother
Senior Romero who has the advantage over
his distinguished brother on this occasion,
and by whose eloquent lips the secret of she
historic candle will be told. Ii
was also expected that the wife
of the President of the United States
would be present to extinguish the
candle, and add intere It and grace to the
occasion, but she cannot be here. She has,
however, kindly delegated the duty of ex-
tinguishiDg the candle to her brilliant and
charming friend, Mrs. John G. Christopher
of Jacksonville, who will perform that
Office"
SENIOR ROMERo'S RESPONSE.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Ladies' Her.
mitage Association Of Tennessee, under
whose auspices this ball was given, in COM
memoration of Gen. Andrew Jackson, was
pleased to extend an invitation to the Presi>
dent of Mexico and to assign to me, his
representative, the honor OF lighting this
candle. am deeply obliged to them for
the courtesy they have shown to me as the
deleg ate of President Diaz, and not the less
for the many attentions ! have received
since my arrival here. In responding to the
eloquent speech of ex-Gov. Porter, United
States minister to Italy trust that you
will grant to me your kind indulgence for
addressing you in language not my own and
with which l am not very familiar.
"This candle has historical associations
connected with it. 1t was found In Lord
CORVALLIS tent after his surrender to
the army at Yorktown. 1t was after
ward presented to Gen. jackson with the
request that he light it on every recurring
Jan. 8, the anniversary of the great victory
he achieved at New Orleans-a promise be
faithfully kept during his lifetime.
After his death the candle
remained in the possession OF his relatives,
and it was only about two years ago that it
was given to the association. consider it,
therefore, an honor to light this candle, and
In doing SO / express the hope that the
worthy and patriotic efforts made by the
association TO preserve the old home and
relics Of the great man who figured so
prominently more than half
century ago ia the history of the
the United States, and keep his memory
always fresh in the hearts of his fellow