Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-14

relic whose identity depends upon I'M
certain tradition, and which owes It's
interest to an impulsive magma,
ton. It's authenticity is established
beyond controversy by the papers
which accompany it. and it derives
it's value as well from our know
ledge of its history as from It's as
sociations with the great captain
whose days of toll and nights Oh
trouble it shared and witnessed; ana
who never drew it from its scabbard
but to defend the honor and the IN
terests Of his:country.
This is neither the time nor the
place to portray those great tralts
of character which gave to Gen.
Jackson the ascendancy that no
man ever denied who approached
him, and that wonderful ! influence
with his countrymen which marked
almost his whole course, from his en-
trance upon a public career TIL the
grave closed upon his life and MS
labors, and left him to that equality
which the mighty and the lowly must
find at last Still from my personal
and official relations with hlm-and !
trust l may add, from his friendship
toward me, of which l have many
proofs-I can not withhold the &C
acknowledgement of the impression
which his high qualities made upon
me, and which becomes more lasting
and profound as time IS dong ITS
work of separation from the days OF
my intercourse with him.
| have been no careless observer
of the men of my tim, who, con-
trolled by events, or controlling them,
have stood prominent among them,
and will occupy distinguished posi-
tions in the annals of the age; and
circumstances have extended my
opportunities of examination of the
Old World, as well as to the new,
But, I say, and with a deep convic-
ton Of its truth, that | never have
been brought into contact with man
who possessed more native sagacity.
more profundity of intellect, higher
power of observation, or greater pro-
bity Of purpose, more ardor Of pa
triotism, nor more firmness of res
olution, after he had surveyed his
position, and occupied it, than the
lamented subject of this feeble trl-
butte, not to him but to truth. And
l will add that during the process of
determination upon important sub
jccts he was sometimes slow and
generally cautious and inquiring; and
he has more once told me, anxious
and unasy, not seldom passing the
night without. sleep; but he was
calm in his mind and inflexiblc in
his will when reflection had given
place decision. The prevailing
opinion that he was rash, and hasty
in his conclusions is founded upon an
erroneous impression Of his habit of
thought and action, upon want of
discrimination between his conduct
before and after his judgment had
pronounced upon his course.
This is not the first offering Of 4
similar nature which has been laid
upon the altar of our country, with
the sanction of the legislative depart
ment of the Govrnment Some Year,
since another precious relic was de-
posted here, the sword of him who
in life was first in the affections Of
his countrymen and in death is NOW
the first in their memory. | need
not name his name. 1t is written in
characters Of living light on every
heart and springs instinctively to
every tongue. His fame is committed
to time, his example to mankind, and