The evening times., 1900-07-11
JACKSON AN 4 AMERICAN.
story That He Was an ImperIaiIst
EmPhaticajIy Refuted


Representative Gatnes Of Tennessee be-
came emphatic yestsfday when somebody
told him that Andrew Jackson was as much
of an imperialist as is, President McKin-
ley. He said:
Il know the contrary is true. l have
here some letters from Andrew Jackson
showing he not only abhorred any tendency
toward imperialism in his lifetime. but re-
fused an honor intended for his corpse be-
cause 1t savored OF imperialism Commo-
core J. D. Elliott, United States Navy,
brought to the United States from Pales-
tine sarcophagns which was said TO con-
tain the remains of the Roman Emperor
Alexander SeVerus Ii was presented by
Commodore Elliott 10 the National Insti-
tute with the suggestion that it be tender
ed to Jackson for his inal resting place
Notifying Mr.. jackson of the honor pro-
posed for him, Elliott wrote TO him, con-
cluding as follows: L pray you, general,
10 live on in the fear OF the Lord; dying
the death OF a Roman soldier, an Emperor :
coffin awaits you
jackson appreciated the gift deeply. but
could not tolerate the idea that his body
should rest In a sarcophasus designed for
an Emperor's use. Under date OF March
p. lS45. he replied from the Hermitage:
Your letter Of the 18th instant, to-
gether with the copy of the proceedings or
the National Institute, furnished me by
their corresponding secretary, on the pre-
sentation OF the sarcophagus for accep-
tance on condition that II shall be pre-
served and in honor OF my memory have
been received and are now before me. Al
though laboring under Grea; debility and
afhiction from a severe attack from
Whlcn may not recover,
! raise my pen and endeavor TO reply. The
steadiness Of my nerves may perhaps lead
you 10 conclude Uy prOstration of strength
= not so great as here expressed. Strange
as II may appear. my nerves are az steady
as they were forty years gone BY whilst
from debility and afiicJiOn / am gasping
for breath. ] had read the whole proceed
ings Of the presentation by you OF the sar-
cOphagus and the resolutions passed by
the board of. directors so honorable 10 my
fame with sensations and feelings more es-
s'ly 10 be conJectHred than by me express
ed The whole proceedings call for my
most grateful thanks. which are hereby
rendered 10 you. and through you 10 the
president and directors Of the National In
stitute- But with the warmest sensations
that can inspire grateful heart, ! must
decline he honor intended 10 be bestowed.
' I cannot consent that my mortal body
shall be laid IN repository prepared FOR
an emperor or King. Ny republican feel
ings and principles forbid II, the simplicity
OF our system OF government fOrbids it,
Every monument erected 10 perpetuate the
memory Of our heroes and statesmen oughS
TO bear evidence Of the economy and sim
plicity Of our republican Institutions and
Of the piainness OF our republican cit.Zels.
who Sre the sovereigns II our glorious
Union. and whose virtue j. is 10 perpetu-t te
il True virtue cannot exist where pomp
and parade are the governing passions. II
can only dwell With the peOple-the great
laboring ard producing classes-that form
the bone and sinew OF our eonfederaCy.
For these reasons l cannot accept that
which you and the president and directors
of the National Institute intended to be-
stow. J cannot permit my remains 10 be
the first in these United States 10 be de-
posted in sarcophagGs made for an en-
peror.'
In notifying the president Of the Ma
tional Institute o, the refusal Of jackson
TO accept the gift Commodore Elliott wrote
in part as follows
With sentiments so cougeuiRl TO his
strict republicenism and in accordance in
deed with the republican feelings common
TO ourselves, be tfkes the ground OF re
pugnance 70 connecting his name and rarne
IN any way with imperial associations. We
cannot but honor the sentiments which
have ruled his Judgment in this case, fer
they are such as must add 20 the lustre OF
his character. We subscribe to them our
selves. and while we yield 20 their fo-ce
We may still be permitted to continue our
regard 10 the enduring marble as 10 an an
cfent and classic relic-a curiosity In Itself
and particularly n this country. as the first
OF it's kind seen in our Western Hemisp e -e
From u We would disclaim the pride pOnp
and Circumstance OF imperial pageantry
as uniting our Institutions and profess
sions, We would sedulously cherish the
simpler republican principle OF reposiug
our fame and hOnors in the hearts and af-
fecfiOns Of our Countrymen.
Commodore Elliott therefore withdrew
the conditions attached 10 the gift and
made IL absolute" said Mr.. Gires. in con-
clusion. Il think THIS conciCsively dis
proves the charge Of Imperialism made
against Jackson"
The sarcophagus has FOR years been on
exhibition at the National Museum.