The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
THE GRANDSON OF
 SToNEwALL JACKSON

cadet at West Point was applauded by everyone in Birmingham yesterday who read in the Age-Herald of Mr. Roosevelts 8 gracious tribute to the memory of the great Confederate leader.
 It was suggested by some persons here that this act of the Presldent's would tend to modify the south's harsh judgment Of MT. roosevelt precisely as public sen- timent Tn this section underwent a fa- vorable change toward MT. Mckinley af- ter the Ohio statesman had visinted the south, and, at a Confederate reunion in Georgic, had suggested that the time had come when the north should be permitted to join with the south in caring for the graves of the Confederate deal. It was recalled that Mr. Mckinley 8 southern appointments up to that time had d,spleased the south, but that after his southern trip. the southern people heartily praised him.
 In pIointing the grandson of Stone wall Jackson to West Point, President Roosevelt, it is believed, has done one of those apparently little things which take hold ou the imagination of the people awaken their cherished memories and revive ..-eir hopes. Incidents which, on the whole, stir the pride and arouse the sympathy of the people. The Presidents assurance that "the country needs an- other Stonewall Jackson at West Point expressls all this beautiful sentiment in form 20 concrete that it grips the heart and the imagination of his southern countryaen.
 The appointment of the sixteen-year old Georgia lad by the President recalls the circumstances incident to the appoint ment of the boys grandfather sixty two years ago to be a cadet at the United States military academy. The story is one that can never fail to inter- est the American boy of pluck and pur- pose, and though often told is well wor- thy of repetition. The details are per haps nowhere set out so accurately or so interestingly as in Life and Letters of Stonewall Jackson" by his wife, a volume published in 1891 by Harper & Brothers.
 This Cook of Mrs. Jackson's is hap 
 boy whom the President has just hon. ored These are the words of the dedi- cation:
 ITO the grandchildren of General Jack son, Julia and Jackson Christian, this book is dedicated in the prayerful hope that as they grow in years they may draw inspiration from his example, and conform their lives to the same exalted standard of Christian duty, which mark ed the character. of their grandsire, and which was also reflected in the life of their young mother, who with gentle footsteps followed her father as he fol- lowed Jesus"
 After sBetching her husbands ancestry and early life, Mrs. Jackson relates the story of how Thomas Jonathan Jackson was appointed to West Point
 "A young man from the congressional district in which he (Thomas) lived" says tho narrator, had secured an ap- pointment to the military academy at West Point but after entering had found that the discipline and hard study were too severe to suit his self-indulgent tastes, and resigned in disgustand re- turned home. Of course, this was the talk of the neighborhood; and one day that Uncle Cummins was having his horse shod. the blacksmith looked up and sad:
 Now here is a good chance for Tom Jackson as he is so anxious to get an education.
 His uncle caught at the suggestion, and going home told his nephew of the opportcnity to get a cadetship at West Point, which fired his heart with such eager hope that he began at once his efforts to secure the vacant position. He had many friends who had observed his manly spirit, and were ready to help him, aad all joined in letter to the Hon. orable Samuel Hays, member of con- gross from the district, asking him to use his influence to have him appointed. Of a prominent lawyer connected with his own family the young applicant felt al | liberty to request more confidential testimonial, but he was asked if he did not fear that his education was not sui ficient to enable him to enter and gus tain himself at West Point. For a mo- ment his countenance fell but looking up he replied:
 |" I know that I shall have the applica- tion nec ecessary to succeed; I hope that have the capacity necessary; at least. am determined to try, and I want you to help me-
 ''Th.s friend did help him, and wrote a letter of hearty commendation in which he dweIt especially upon his courage and resolution, and as ssoon as the letters were dispatched to Washington, he began to review his studies. in which he was assisted by lawyer in Weston, who made t a labor of love. In due time the to do all in his power to secure the ap- pointme nt and Jackson resolved at once to go to Washington, to be ready to pro- ceed to West Point without moments s delay. So eager was he to start that he did not wait for any preparation, but. packing his plain wardrobe into a pair of saddle bags, he mounted horse near sundown, and accompanied by a ser want who was to bring the horse back, hurried off to Clarksburg to catch the stage coach. Upon his arrival he found that tue coach had already passed, but nothing daunted he galloped on and overlook it at the next stopping place. and continued his journey.
 "Arri, cd in Washington. he went straight to MT. Hays, who showed his