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fV fUV-RAL OBSEQUIES OF GENERAL JACKSON.
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FrasiFi -«atueA«.K.' Tori Herald of June...
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MJ) NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL. "" " '—~ ^...
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PERSON AND CHARACTER OF GENERAL JACKSON....
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PROCEEDINGS AT WASHINGTON. Similar proce...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Fv Fuv-Ral Obsequies Of General Jackson.
_fV _fUV-RAL OBSEQUIES OF GENERAL JACKSON .
Frasifi -«Atuea«.K.' Tori Herald Of June...
_FrasiFi - « atueA « . K . ' Tori Herald of June 25 tb , we give ; _f" . % , f ,. ] _lowii , s interesting account of thc proceedings Sew ' , Sew York on thc 24 th , on thc _occasioa of _cctsign-« to C to _ * i « -i- » * _i ** _tt"m * _jius of hiin who -was empha _jUy : _^ jjj the " saviour of liis country . " It was thus jt ajj . it a free people did honour to the genera ! , the _Aciftatcanan , aud the patriot . ] The 'flie very heavens appeared to smile on the endeaars t-. nr- * of tlic residents of this city to do honour to him io h _* * io ha- srcccntl - vSonc ' To ' T « *!••* bourne from _whence no traveller returns . * " - be fhe weather , which for the two previous flays , _351 _^ somewhat unf . ivoun . We , cleared up at daylight , ter , ieri 3 : iy morning . The genial showers of the
_riiv-ivious day and night made the atmosphere cool * 4 iiJ refreshing , and preventing dust to any great _exl-itnt . The morn was ushered in by thc discharge i * _. cf a p iece of ordnance from thc battery , which was _.. o _^ -woiided to by another en tlic Brooklyn Heiirhts . cs-licse were contiuned at intervals tlirOUgllOHt the ni -. n «" r * About eleven o ' clock the troops ordered " _i duty _J-smWcd on thc Uattcry . They consisted ti t " the whole of the force mentioned in the _prolUrj-iuiuie . The field was kept by the troops ofthe . U ' r . wan Legion , wliile the United States troops nit-eat through their exercise . About twelve o ' clock s ti * e = c were joined by different companies from Brookl , « n , Jersey , Wiffiamslrarg _, and the parts adjacent , it said 019
' n t in the whole , was , amounting to 10 , ) . At fas fas ** nC a uis _^ _aJSe of minute guns were given , 5 ** 1 _ftwcsiionding with the age of the deceased—7 S Ah About one o ' clock , when the wcrd was given to fall : % in , we never saw such a mass of persons assembled Its t / _flther before—men , women , and children , of aU iiV fi _> tours , grade and character . To such an extent " 0- toe the space covered with spectators , that it was ¦ ri l triui difficulty that the troops could form in line to pa _jsarch to the Fark . This , after some little delay ( a * - _ accomplished , and upon _rciehing tiie last named ¦ yi ? M , the troops took up their several positions in fro front aud around the . City Uall . Berethc mass -was p cxater than ever .
perst _-DmsioN _* _- . A few -minutes after two o ' clock the city _authoriti ties made their appearance in front ofthe City HaU , V vhen the discharge of three pieces of ordnance - > _j-MOiineed the movement of the procession . The 0 o « niian Legion troop of horse formed the advanced c _rpard , in open rank three deep , in the rear ef which v _v „ General G . Hopkins , accompanied hy some « * tix or eight special aids ; these were brought up by ( C _4 . J . 1 ) . Stevenson . Tliese were succeeded by tlic _{ tmops as . mentioned in the programmo under tiie
i _K-omana * of Alaior-Gener . il C . W . Sandiord , and _i _f -Ler officers . The troops having fallen in , the corjv-jate body took np their position , and the proeesgoa moved off . Thc fourth , fifth , and sixth _regij-H-nfe * took up the line of march twelve deep , led by lie American Brass Band . Thc ninth regiment n-as nine deep . The martial appearance ofthe German Fusileers , ten abreast , had a very "imposing _a-. _j-earance . The first division consisted entirely of _la llitary . The tear of thc first division was brought m _iiy a " body of Dragoons five abreast .
second _smsiox . This division was led by Major General G . II . _{" _a-iker , and George G . Hopkins , Esq ., aids to the iJn ~ d 3 Iar _ _iaI . Thc Kew York Brass Band fol-Iwed . Then followed some twenty-five open earri-ss , ia which were the officiating clergyman , _eatv-r of thc day , cx-Prcsident Van Buren , and _uikrsaccording to the programme ; Gen . Scottlioadir 4 . 1 ie V . S . troops , seven companies of artillery , x-11 _'ue company of mounted horse artillery . These ven : followed by about thirty naval "veterans in * _uni-(* ... _ . Thc Urn , covered with crape , was drawn by
_fotr beautiful horses , led by able-bodied coloured ma ! , dressed a la Turk . On thc Urn vrere thc _taiiiis oi "" Washiugton , _llamilton , Lafayette , Harrigg , and Jackson . " Tliese were followed by the lky < xs of Xew York and Brooklyn ; the authorities c . _k-rsey City and Xcwark ; followed by the coia-• B' -a councils of these places as mourners . The fcaacil of this city bore their wands of ofiicc covered _icli crape . This division was closed hy thc Washisitou Greys of Jersey City , the authorities , clergy , cvii * societies , and citizens . Iu thc whole of this _diviiion there could not he fewer than 3 , 01-0 persons inline .
_THini MV 1 S 10 X . _>" j * rcara-c * the third division , with General Win . L Morri ? , and Benjamin S . Hart , Esq ., a * aids to tL ? Grand Marshal . "The Senate and llouse of _A--t-aibly" ofthe State were in full attendance , and w-stnted an imposing appearance . There were also tic" Members ef the Senate and House of Reprc _SiitatiTCs of the "United States . " The members of tie" Society _ottke Cincinnati , " composed of _veneralile and highly esteemed citizens , werc out in full aifiigth , as mourners on the occasion . A few " 11 cvciutipnary soldiers , * " in carriages , "wer e next in ukr—old men with _wonnds andscars—deep farrows « a their cave-wora brow , and thc silent tear coursing _ dr manly checks , at the thought of him who was
ak _. . _tioldieranda warrior—a nation ' s benefactor , i » l greatest ornament and pride . "The Grand _ « _je of the Stato of New York , " in full dress of the or _& r attracted considerable attention . The cx-31 _ayor _3 _ex-Aldsnnen , and _' _cx-Assistasts ofthe cities cf >" eiv York and Brooklyn , were ail present in carriages . Thc Heads of Departments ofthe City Goranraent were all in attendance . The Consul ( ieucrals and Vice Consuls forthe fiov _ t _ me _ _ts ol _Zttgand , Prance , Belgium , Bavaria , Holland , Porttta ] , Saxony , Xassau Sweden , and Korway , in the _Coiirt dresses of their respective governments , now fdlvwed in splendid carriages . ' Their appearance attracted the attention of the ladies on the balconies , _vdtd waved their- liandkerc-hiefs in token of their
_ahniration . The Judges ofthe United States , State "JE . & Gity Courts , vrere an imposing and respectable -- _ r _,-daimimg universal attention and respect . TJny vers attended by the learned and honourable men .-bm oi the bar . The Sherifls of the city and county of _>' ewYork , and under sheriff and deputies with their staves of office , dressed in mourning , preseuted £ _fiTia _' uhiblc and line appearance . Next came the r-jj . ee _iingistratcs and Officers , with their staves ol oS _* , and the Hegistcr , County Clerk , and Coroner . Tin roUector , -Naval OJHccr , and Surveyor ofthe _IVflt , atcompanied by civil officers of thc United * -:-=: « and State of "New York , were also here . The ¦" . " _tiacriean Art Union , " "American Acadcmy "• _fi-oi-iu , " " Chamber of Commerce , " and "Board _tf '/ niuc , " all furnished members for the procession
- rit wvisiox . _-Mxt came the Fourth Division , witli Jlajor Gen . 1 " . i _' eatz and Major G . Ii . Striker , jun ., as aids to tLe - . r . _U'l _Jtirshal . This division consisted of the fiiv I » e ]' . irfme ; ii ; of ihe City of New York , and £ x : inpt riremcn , aud wa * , iierhaps , thc largest in _£ <• _rma-ssion . They wcre all stalwart iaianJy leok-C _- _'SvIIows , several thofcand strong .
¦ _flFTII MV 1 S _105 . - ••_ ¦ " * came the Fifth Division , with Hon . Isaac L . \__ a and Major Ilobert B . Boyd , as aids to thc _t-JSa . 1 _ilaislial . The renerable society of " Tam"i _' . _ai . r _, or Columbian Order , " with banner- rcpresentij _cvtwi thirteen old states of the confederacy with * _« " cashing _andetficicat corps . of the " Independent _^¦ - _iiiirs Bines" for an e-corf , won the _piaiscs of _** - _---Uulders . The " Dcnwcratic UepubVican General
• - _•• _-i-iiiittec * " and the " Democratic i ' omig Men ' s Ge-« _r-i Committee , " accompanied by ward commit-1 _-ft and citizens with appropriate banners , also _prefcv-l an imposing appearance . _IScxt came the _oi-Wicd "Empire Club , " with Capt . lsiah Rynders _* ' _"tiii'ir head , and a splendid band of music , followed V * ihe magnificent banner , on which were the | : _* " -niits of Washington , Jackson , Jefierson , and J _-s-llaren , and the grand car and tomb draini by *; -- - _**' _e- ; : _iiit horses drersed _inmonniin' ' , and on which ts--l _ j . j _einscription"Jacssox _** ' appeared .
_ _, __ sixth -. i : ns l ' 'ivision commenced with Societies ofthe ' ' _-f fellows , which isustcred about six thousand , _fc'M _lv ] . _ _- " _uearjiig their badges of oflke . Thc - •; _-. j .-iiiiV Lodge , which was commanded by Lieut . •• ¦ i : d Crastoand 0 . W . _FitzUandolpb , aids to thc v"l " _* ' ' . _•"•¦ _aR-ia-, headed the whole group of the - _^ . _" _i r » ivw _., u the rear heing brought up by thc 4 _ !* ni > nl Loa _^ e . _"" Each member wore a white scarf , _filled wit ll scarlet , to which was attached the _porj-T' * - ' . •'• - ¦ neral Jackson , trimmed round , in rosette - _£ " '¦' . _* Ia erapc . Several of the lodges had _baiids f , r _'f ! . * * ,, - ' f which now and theunlayc / J . the _*** " - " _*• _" - _£ e , with great solemnity . . sEviasin _imisms .
( - -1 " ? - _*" _* a _*>* a "was headed hv the Brooklyn Life , _;¦ ••*'• ¦ - -, and under the com— -ami of Captain C . 11 - ¦• --..-.. ii as an escort . General llobeit Xicholls , ;"' i _?*' - ,:. i : _!* 1 i ? l _* a ' _t hating as aids Alexander Bergen , } _U :. Kl' '* -v *?• ilorSan ' - ' _*• ' * 5 _"" _«^ - _«• it _K- * " : : i r IIfl . V .. _- _? lc Es ( l «»* e _? . 'Vhkh werc fol-.. . " _'' >' _, *•« ' " _^ dliamsburg ArtiH-rv , " the " Ja-1 _& t : « _** w _*«^* » _""Unionl . ! ues , " aiid * "Columbian j . ---- ; alter winch followed the BrooklviiS ] iin .. - _* . _•; _, _tornpamci _* , in thef „ . owhi _ order , vizz—Tim _;¦> _- « w _^? ' a _^ Ja ( : '' »* ' _>& _i latter _com-^ _" - _™ a _W _tnicmcd -wilh _eajw 011 " _•/ ' * tw *? ¦«* _% ihe portrait of the late _Gciem ¦
. ;• - . ;• -a . About four o'doek thh _divKon ibnncd ! ? ftnu _^ le _^^ _g _^ _-lr _, ! i < = 2 ; ; i * , the nwuen of which i _d-- ! _- * _^! _Vl - ' - - _¦* , ihe moving mm . _Winder I * _"" _f _™* ? : ed of _theirtniii _^ _anJ p _£ _^ Sl _^ SSS » - _* r . _likesaur _^ i _^ , _toaiioid tii ( ,. _L _, _^';^' _;?* .. _. _ch-mte or 6 j « _, * _iinih y of E „ tV _^ _^ "' « ¦ - _^ _m . iis sunpes from the windo- _^ in _aiifewS _^ "' - •*> um or other supports h , _C tf _fflSS
» ,. _ _neani wvisios . 1 : - " . s _divisK-i did not number so Ksm * -J . V _.-.. _1 _. V- _«~ " _*«* led to expect from th * ? ro _^ _S _^
Frasifi -«Atuea«.K.' Tori Herald Of June...
that were on the ground were numerously attended , and their banners most tastefully arranged with crape and the various insignia of mourning . — -They wcre marshalled by Col . It . C . MorrisandE . Shortil . Esq . The first society was the " Italian Benevolent Society , " bearing tbeir banner representing the landing of Colunihus . After them followed the " Hibernian United Benevolent Society , " with banners depicting the same scene , another one of Washington , aud a gilt harp wreathed with crape—there were upwards of two hundred -members walking . '"The Shamrock Benevolent Society" appeared next—one ofthe _most-irominent of tlieir banners was alarcc
green onc eugcu vita goiu innge and bearin"" the motto "Justice to Ireland . " This society also numbered about twohundrcd . " The Hibernian Benevolent Society" next followed , and turned out quite strong , there being Bpwai _-dsof _ re „ u _ dredme _ tbers ; they were most tastefully decorated with green scarfs , and their beautiful banners were all emblematical of the character of the society , the visits io the sick and the consolation and assistance to survivors boin _" alldepietcd . These banners , like those of the other societies , wcre hang in mourning . . "The American Institute . " The members of this institute followed in carriages j but tliere werc but few , aud with them closed this division .
_xxxth nmsiojr . This division was under the able charge of Col . Grant and ( J . * B . King , Esq . ; The- numbers here also were somewhat diminished ; the first that led off was the '" Journeymen Tailors' United Benevolent Society , " which mustered a large force . Their banners contained the appropriate motto of "Ye were naked , and we clothed you , " and several other minor banners . Thc various literary associations , "The Sew York Society of Literature . "
"Mercantile Library Association , " "American Society of Young Men , " " Kew York . Metropolitan Association , " "JS _' cwYork Society of Letters ; " shipmasters and mates of vessels in port ; all made a most imposing appearance with their appropriate banners . Li thc part ofthe city where we . observed thc passage of the procession , some of the societies had-fallen off from the plan laid down in the programme , but this was owing , wc believe , to the . fact that froth , the _intense _lieat ofthe sun , several of them _wercpbiii'ed tO withdraw at Tliatecnth-street . . ... . . 1 " _** -- ¦ _-, " - _*
. . TEsra niyisiox . So . early . as eleven o ' clock this Division began to assemble at their place of rendezvous , Centre-street . -The Division was placed . under command of Cols Philbriek and Hough , aids to the Grand Marshal The . "Ironsides Association , " ' witli-Mr . Andrew Thompson in charge , took the lead- ; and took up its position imnicdiateiy infrontof Chamber-street , down Centre . " Fourth Ward Jefferson Association "Mr . James llagan at the head of this Association , followed next in order . "I'olk-Wright Association . " The banner of the society , bearing an appropriate device , made expressly forthe occasion , was hung in deep mourning . Mr . Joseph-Elliott , supported by Mr . J . D . R . 1-frnan , led off thc society , who took their place in the regular order in thc celebration , such as was assigned them . _r- 'The " German Democratic _Ai-sociation" followed . The "ShifflerClub " next followed ; and were succeeded by the " City Watch" licaiM by their Grand Marshal ( Miller ) .
ELEVENTH DIVISION * . The "Journeymen Stone Cutters of New York and Brocklyn , " in full force , led off this Division , headed by Mr . Mullen . Their banners were beautifully executed , and were hung with crape . The " Journeymen -Granite Cutters' Association" next followed , under Messrs . Michael Paige and Jeremiah Leroney . The entire-body consists , generally speaking , of stout- "Hibernians . " The "Operative Masons "—a good muster—succeeded them . They were followed- by the " . Labourers' Union Society , " under Mr . Jolm O'Lcary . . The " . Kew York Benevolent Society of Operativei Masons" succeeded them in order . They-were followed'by the " Benevolent Society of Operative Tailors . " . The . " Cordwainers of tho City of Kew York" next followed . Tlieir banners bore appropriate devices ; and they made a fine _appearance in thc procession .. They were followed by the " Bookbinders of Hew York , " who formed the wind-up of thc eleventh Division .
TWELFTH _DlVKIOX . Major Thomas K . Kellingcr , Captain C . S . Storms , aids to the Grand Marshal , took ' command of tliis Division . Long before the hour appointed , several of the societies had taken up their position at the place of rendezvous in Franklin-street , fronting on Centre-street First came the "Ancient"Order of Odd Fellows , " headed by John Pickford , Right Worshipful Grand Master . Following these came the " Perseverance Lodge , " Ko . 3 , 013 , 1 . 0 . of 0 . FJesse Jackson , Grand " Marshal . "Independent Order of Kechabites , " Kew York District No . 1-City Tents , 1 to _37—Wm . Jay Hasket , Grand Marshal . The banners of this Society were very large and beautiful , with very appropriate devices .
TniRTEESTIl DIVISION . John Colgan , Esq ., and Captain H . M . Graham , aids to the Grand Marshal , took command of this division . At about twelve o ' clock , the _"JNewlork Pilots * Association" were at their place of rendezvous in City Hall-place , fronting on Chamber-street . On one of their banners was "The People , the only competent Pilots to govern the _Nation . " Following these came the " New York Wnternic „' s Society , " live abreast . These were followed by thc " City Watchmen , " who came marching along six abreast . Xcxt came the " Citizens and Associations" of the Tenth Ward , with band playing and banners waiving . Next came " The Sons of Ilennan , " a German society , mourning in common with their fellow-citizens
in thc loss of the "Old Hero . " They had a fine band of music , and several beautiful banners . At the hour previously mentioned the grand procession left thc park anil moved up Chatham-street , which was thronged with dense masses , all animated with onc spirit , and all eager to view the parade in honour ofthe memory of him who SO bnlYClv , SO gallantly , and so fearlessly defended and maintained his country ' s honour aud his euuntvy ' _s tights in the dark hour of danger , peril , and distrust . Tho balconies and windows in Chatham-street were filled with lovely and bewitching forms . All was hushed and still , save the low , deep , mournful tones of thc muffled drum , and strains of martial music from full and effective bands , which fell like a knell upon the ear .
The procession again moved np East Broadway . The balconies , windows , and even the tops of houses iu this highly-fashionable street , were full of ladies and gentlemen , who waved their handkerchiefs as the procession passed along . Wreaths of fresh and beautiful flowers , wound into garlands , were from time to time thrown by lovely hands to thc weary troops who , by looks , at least , thanked the givers for this mark of their approbation . All "the pride , pomp , and circumstance of glorious war , " was here . With such a ceremony for a closing scene , who wonld not live , fight , and die for his country—who would not serve long years of toil and hardship if such a fate might be tiie reward . "Sever have wc witnessed so imposingbrilliant , and solemn a spectacle . The
ap-, pearance of the Bowery and Union-square was most lively . AH along the line of match tho windows and streets were crowded with people , who took up their position at an early hour . The mansions in the square presented a most animated sight . This spot was vlecidcdly the mo 3 t favourable oue for witnessing the procession as it _passt-d round anil defiled down Broadway . For upwards of three Lours one continuous inarch of military and societies , with their banners , was kept up . It was the most impressive anil grand display that has ever token place In New York . The procession then reached Broadway . _^ The appearance in this vast thoroughfare , from Union Park to Caual-street , and down to the City Hall , so earlv as half-past three o'clock , _bafiles description .
Everv window—every step—every nook from whence could * lie caught a glimpse , were literally jammed up to suffocation . The intense heat was almost intolerable , vet it did not keep thc anxious crowds , who Hocked from the adjoining streets , from blocking up the sidewalks at either side . The covp d ' ceil , as the two first divisions had passed down Broadway , from Union Park , was truly imposing—animating—when viewed from an elevated spot . There was an immense concourse of people of both scxe .- _* , and all elas _* -cs , assembled _alonir Broadway on both sides , and it was _utterlv impossible for any _j _" . oison to cross some of thc street ? . There was not one political banner in llie whole procession . One spirit appeared to _pcrv-ide fhe mas- * , to sink all political feeling anil aid in _dob . 2 justice to the memory of one who uadscrvei . long and failhfuliv for his country' iwca
THE OilATIOX . _Sli-r-rtlr after seven o ' clock , the Hon . B . ¥ . Bctieb mounted " the platform , and after silence had been obtained , pronounced a most eionuent oration , which was listened to with the most marked attention , and at ihe conclusion there was a strong but solemn tone of _approbation from tho . ? - * around . , , Vraver was now offered up ; and when _conciuued , the _Xt-w York Musical Society gave a piece ot music in _hoiiosr _« f the departed , which was ably executed . T . _u _* cl . « r consisted of upwards of fifty iemale a ___ _male perlbiiueis . EESETCCTUS _* . . The Kev . Mr . _Vaiswriout then appeared onthe
trout of the platform and ; "aid— „ . " The _blessim . of the Father , cf the Son , and ot the Holy Ghost be with you , and ali the Israel ol _c-vd . _Ameu and amen . " ' . __ __^^_ j _ —
Frasifi -«Atuea«.K.' Tori Herald Of June...
. The different militaiy and civic companies then filed off in regular order , and in a few minutes afterwards the wMe scene in front of thc City Hall was changed . - " -
Mj) National Trades' Journal. "" " '—~ ^...
MJ ) NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL . "" " _'—~ _^^^^ - — _—! _- _^ - _~ - _* - __!— .,. ' - _'_?_ Lr _^ r " _*' _^^ v ' _*' _* _- _** _---- _* - _***' _** ' _' _' _----- _' - _'" _'*** ' _^ " _.- . nr ¦ w _ _LiirMii-u-j _..-1-inI .. I . _,,. 1 . _1-M-i _* _,.. TO _^ YIII _. NO . 403 . LONDON , SATURDAY , AUGUST . 2 , 1845 . ,. _ _*™^^»™ _^ _^' ~ ' ' - ________ . - — _•__ ¦ . -p S ]„ H „ , g ., - _„ _, -- _Sixponci . jior < _- » u : u <( ..
Pc00104
Person And Character Of General Jackson....
PERSON AND CHARACTER OF GENERAL JACKSON . We are naturally ' curious to know something about the mere person of a man who _h-s-perfonncd wonderful exploits ., riulo _^ phera iii ay say what : they-will al out the man consisting solely of the mind . riuma _* _a _ ature ' will not have it so . - _^ t-will i in spite of philosophers , give a good deal of weight to the _pci-sbn by _vyhom _? a thing is "done . _Jacksfin'had this advantage . His friend and brother senator , and neighbour , Mr . -Eaton , tells us that hc had noiiiing of the robust : . or the elegant ; that he was six feet and an inch high ; that he was remarkably straight ; and spars ; that he weighed not more than a hundred and _forty-fivepoundi ( what _apoor thing ' compared to our- George the Fourth _^); that his conformation appeared to disqualify him for ha rdship ; _thaty however , accustomed to it from early life , few were capable of enduring so much fatigue , or with-so little injury ; _thatrhis " _dark-Muc . eycs , beneath his high and broad forehead , and loaded with brows somewhat heavy , when excited by any cause , sparkled with peculiar lustre of penetration ; that in his manners he was pleasing , while his address was commanding ; that in his deportment lie was easy , affable , and familiar ; that during his whole life it had been his study to honour "merit , find it in whom he might ; that honest poverty had always been respected by him , while he had turned his back on dishonest wealth ; that he was never known to discover the _^ existence of distress without seeking to assist and to relieve it ; that no man ever saw hini irritated on account of a selfish purpose ; and that no man ever saw his bosom swell with rage or with anger , except _againtt the eriemies _^ bf liis country , open or secret .
Proceedings At Washington. Similar Proce...
PROCEEDINGS AT WASHINGTON . Similar proceedings to those at New York , wcre engaged in by tho citizens of Washington . In thc Capital ofthe States countless thousands assembled to do honour to the memory of the departed Hero and Patriot—the Hero , because he was a Patriot . With breathless attention did they listen " 'to the following " oration , pronounced , by Mr .. Secretary Bancroft . Its natural , forcible , and unaffected eloquence won on every * car ; and it will be . read with deep and abiding interest by thousands aud thousands into whose hands tliis journal finds its way .
MR . _BANCItOFT'S _OP _. ATION . The men of tlic " American revolution are no more . That age of creative power lias passed , away . The last surviving' . signer of the DecWration of independence lias long since left the earth . _Washington lies near bis own Potomac , ' _surrbimiJe'l liy his family and his servants . Adams , the . colossus of Independence , reposes in the modest grave-ynrd of lus native region . Jefferson sleeps on the heights ofhis own Mont iccllo , whence his eye overlooked his beloved Virginia . Madison , the last survivor oftho men who made our constitution , lives only inour hearts . Bat who shall say that the heroes , in whom the image of God shone most brightly , do not live forever ? They were filled with the vast conceptions which called America into bains ; tliey lived for tlioso conceptions ; and their deeds praise then ,
Wo are met to commemorate the virtues of one who shed liis blood for our independence , took part in forming the early institutions of the West , and wns imbued with all the great ideas which constitute the moral force of our country . Onthe spot wliere he gave his solemn fealty to the people—litre , . where he pledged himself before the world to freedom , to the constitution and to the laws- —ive meet topay our tribute tO the memory of the last great name , which gathers round itself all the associations that form the glory of America .
South Catolioa gave ablitti-plnee to Andrew Jackson , On its remote frontier , far up on tho forest-clad banks of the Catawba , in a region where the settlers were just beginning to cluster , his eye first saw the light . There his infancy sported in the ancient forests , and his mind was nursed to freedom by their influence . He was the youngestsou of an Irish emigrant , of Scottish origin , wiio , two years after the great war of Frederick of Prussia , fled to America for relief from _uuligeuc _" . aud _opptession . llis "birtli was in 1767 , at a fime when the people of our land were but a body of dependent colonists , scarcely more than two millions in number , scattered along au immense coast , with no army , or navy , or _uiiitm—and exposed to the attempts of England to control America hy the aid of military force . His boyhood « row up in the midst of the contest with Great Britain . T he first grea t political truth that reached liis heart , was that all men are free and equal ; the first great fact that beamed on his understanding , was his country ' s independence .
The strife , as it increased , came near the shades ofhis own upland residence . As a boy of thirteen , ho wit . ncssed the scenes of horror that accompany civil war ; and wlien but a year older , with an elder brother , hc shouldered his musket , and went forth to strike a blow for his country . Joyous era for America and for humanity ! But for him , the orphan hoy , the events wer « full of agony aud grief . His father was no more . His eldest brother fell a victim to the war of the revolution ; another Ibis com * panion in arms ) died of wounds received in their joint captivity ; his mother went down to tlic grave a victim tu grief and efforts to rescue her sons ; and when psaw came , he was alone in the world , with no kindred to cherish him , and little inheritance but his own untried powers .
The nation which emancipated itself from British rale <* , _v- * av . _* _is-4 _sitstlf-. tbe ctmfcdeiration gives way to the constitution : the _perfectiiij * of tliat constitution—that grand event ol the thousand years of modern history—is accomplished : America exists as a people , gains unity as a government , and takes its place as a nation among thc powers of the earth . The next great office to hc performed by America , is the taking possession of the wilderness . Thc magnificent western valley cried out to the civilisation of popular power , that it must he occupied hy cultivated man . Behold , then , our orphan hero , sternly earnest , consecrated to humanity from childhood hy sorrow , having lioitlu * _falli-ir , nor mother , nor sister , nor _surviving brothel , 80 young and yet so solitary , and , therefore , bound the more closely to collective man—behold him elect for I 113 lot to go forth and assist in laying the foundations of society in the great valley of the Mississippi .
At the very time when Washington was pledging his own and future generations to the support of the popular institutions which were to he tho light of the human race—at thi time when the institutions of tin * Old World wcre rocking to their centre , and the mighty fabric that had come down from tbe middle ages was falling in—the adventurous Jackson , in the radiant l > i * y and boundless hope and confident intrepidity of twentyone , plunged into the wilderness , crossed the great niountain-burri _' . r that divided tbe western wat « s from tbe Atlantic , followed the paths of the early hunters and _iiigitives , aud , not content with the nearer _nei-ihhourhooa to his parent State , went still further nnd further to the west , till he found I 113 home in thc most _btaufifui region on the Cumberland . There , from the first , he was _vecognised as the great pioneer ; under his coinage , the coiuiiijr _wniiiraiits were sure to find a shield .
The lovers of adventure began to pom * _tlicmscves _ii " . < J the tcrritor-, whose delicious clmmt « and fertile soil _"'; vitctl the •¦ resencc of social man . The Inmtor with ... * _* rifle and Ms axe , attended by his vife and children ; ' . lie herdsman driving tiie few cattle , that wcre to _multiply -s thev browsed ; tbe cultivator of the soil—aH came to lh ~ inviting region , _"ffliwevei * the bending mountains opened a pass—wherever the buffaloes and the beast 5 of the turest had made a tvacc , tUesu sous of nature , ehildrai oi * humanity , in the _liigliest scnlime-it of personal freedom , came to oeeupv the beautiful wilderness whose prairies blossomed everywhere profusely with wild flowers—whose woods in spring put to shame , by their masuiiicence , the cultivated gardens of man .
And now that these unlettered fugitives , educated only bv the spirit of freedom , destitute of dead letter er _. _iili . io * ., Imtthariw- the living ideas of the age , had made - licir ] . _«_«• _tatlse wc-. t-v-li .-t -ould follow t _^^ ¦ li . _itradotoffiatl _** . _» toisnoninre and luMeli _* _**; _-: - vvouu
they make the solitudes of the desert excuses for licenliousncss ? Would the doctrines of freedom loud them to live in ' . imorganisi'd societ y , destitute of laws aad fixed institutions . At a time _whtn European society wns becoming broken in pieces , scattered , disunited , aiid resolved into its elements , a scene ensued in -Tennessee , than which nothing more beautifully gvttud is recorded in the annals of the
race . These adventurers in the wilderness longed to' come together in organised society . The overshadowing genius of their time inspired them with good dosigns , and filled them with the-counsels of wisdom . Dwellers in the forest , freest pf the free , bound in the spirit , they came up by their representatives , on foot , on horseback , through the forest , along the streams , by the buffalo traces , by thc Indian paths , by tho Waned forest avenues , to nioetin convention among the mountains at Kuoxrille , and frame for themselves a constitution . Andrew Jackson was tliere , the greatest man of them all—modest , bold , determined , _deiuausliiig nothing forhimsolf , and shrinking from nothing that his heart approved .
The convention came together on the llth day of January , 1700 , and finished its work on the Gth day of February . How had the wisdom of the Old World vainly tasked itself to frame constitutions , that could , at . lcast , he the subject of experiment ; the men of Tennessee , in less than twenty-five days , perfected a fabric , which , in ite essential forms , was to lust for ever . They came together , full of faith and reverence , of love . to humanity , of confidence in truth . In tli" simplicity of wisdom , they framed their constitution , acting under higher influences than they were conscious of . Tbey wrought in sad sincerity , Themselves from God they could not free ; They builder , ! better than they know J " The conscious atones to beauty grew .
In the instrument which they framed , they embodied their faith in God , and in the immortal nature of man . — They gave- the right of _suS ' rage to every freeman ; thoy vindicated the sanctity of reason , by giving freedom of speech and of the press ; they reverenced the voice of God , as it speaks in the soul of man , by asserting tho indefeasible right of man to worship the Infinite according to his conscience : they established tho freedom aud equality of elections ; and they dvuiitnded from ovo _» _-y future _legislator a solemn oath " never to consent fo any net or thing whatever that shall have even a tendency to lessen the rights of thepeople . '' These majestic lawgivers , wisor than the Solons , and Lycurguses , aud JCumas of the Old World—these prophetic founders ofa State , who embodied in thoir constitution the sublimcst truths of humanity , acted without reference to human praises .
They kept no special record of their doings ; they took no pains to vaunt their deeds ; and when their work was done , knew not that they had _fiiiinhcd one of tho sublimcst acts ever perfornuiti nilions men . They left no record , as to whose agency was conspicuous , whose eloquence swayed , whose generous will predominated ; nor should we know , hut for tradition , confirmed by what followed among themselves . Tins men of Tennessee wero now a people , and they were to send forth a man to stand for them in the Congress of the United States—that avenue to glory—that homo of elo < rueucc—the citadel of popular power " , and , with one consent , tliey united in selecting the foremost man among tlieir law . gWcrs—Akmiew Jackson , The love ofthe people of Tennessee followed him to thc American Congress ; and ho had served hut a single term , ivhen the State of Tennessee made him one of its representatives in thc American Senate , whore he sat under the auspices of _JeftVrson .
Thus , when he was scarcely more than thirty , he had guided the settlement of the wilderness ¦ swayed the dt ; - _liueration of a people in _ustaWish ' tng its fundamental law . _i ; acted as tho representative of that people , and again as the representative- ofhis organized State , disciplined to a knowledge ofthe power of the people and the power of the States ; tlus associate of rcpub ' icau statesmen , the friend and companion of Jefferson . Tito men who framed the constitution of the United States , many of them , did not know tiie innate life and self-preserving energy of tlieir work . They feared that freedom conld not endure , and thoy planned a strong _governinsnt for its protection .
During his . short career in Congress , Jackson showed his quiet , deeply-Seated , innate , intuitive faith in human freedom , and in tlic institutions of freedom . He was ever , hy his votes and opinions , found among those who had confidence iu humanity ; and in tlio great dirision of mind * , this child of tlic woodlands , this ropresuntatiTc of forest life in the west , was found modestly and firmly on the side of freedom . It did not oeutr to him to doubt the right of man to the free development of his powers ; it did not occur to Mm to place a guardianship over the people ; it did not occur lo hhn to seek to give durability to popular institutions , hy giving togoreniment a strength iudcptndcnt of popular will .
¦ from the iirst , he was attached to the fundamental doctrines of - _j _-rfipular power , and ofthe policy that favours it ; and though his reverence for Washington surpassed his reverence i ' or any human being , he voted against the address from the llouse of Representatives to Washington on hi . *; retirement , bccmisc its language appeared to sanction the financial policy whicli he believed hostile to republican freedom . During his period of service ill tllC _StiliatC _, Jackson was fleeted major _ji-nera ! hy the _brigadiers and field officers of the _militiii of Tennessee , llcsigiiing his place in the Senate , ho was made judge of tho supreme court in law and ti ) uity ; such was the confidence in his _intcj ; ii : y of purpose , hi . s clearness of _judgment ,, 1111 ! his vigour of will to deal justly among the turbulent who crowded into the new settlements of Tennessee .
Tims , in the short _jn-iiod of nine rears , Andrew Jackson was signalised hy as . "a .. * * - -j videnves of public esteem as could fall to tli-- lot of man . The pioneer ofthe wilderness , the defender of its stations , hc was iheir _Jaivgivcr _, the sole representative of . 1 new people iu Congress , tV . tt representative of the State in the Senate , the highest in military command , the highest injudicial oilice " . He seemed to be rccognistrt as the first iu love of liberty , tiie jirst in the science of legislation , iu judgment , and integrity . Fond of private life , he would have resigned the judicial office ; but the whole country demanded his service . " _Xature , " they ci : _«! , " _nevv-v _vicsi-zw-d iV . at your powers of tiiought and _irJci'ieudenee of mind should be lost in retirement . " i "" _'t after a few years , relieving himself from thr . cares of thc bench , he gave himself to tho activity _au-l tha ii ! uepend ' : at lite of S . uus ' ce . _lldvuan , He Carried iuto " Kt _ t ! , _nti „ _ . < - _tauis « i * natural iuteiiiseucc , and
was cherished as " a prompt , frank , and ardent soul . " _IlUyigonrof character constituted him first among a . U with whom he associated . A private mail 83 he Was , his name waa familiarl y _ppoken rouid every _hcarth-stone in Tennessee . Men loved to discuss his qualities . All discerned liis power ; and when the vehemence awl impetuosity of his nature were observed upon , there were not wanting those who saw , beneath the blazing fires of his genius , the solidity of his judgment . His hospitable roof sheltered the emigrant and the pioneer ; and , a * , they _iijado their . . way to their new homes , they filled , _aho , mountain . sides and valleys with his ¦ _Ptais _*?* .: " -. _* _>«¦ ¦ :. ¦ ' ¦ _-. * .-f . c _:.-j . v ... _-, < _- -:
. _Connccting hlmsplf , for a season , with a man of busi-¦ ei " , Jackson spiny . discerned the misconduct of his _asso-C' _^";; . _' - _^ . jn ? rit ? d his . character , that he insisted , himself , on payin _^ _eyerj * obligation that liad been contracted ; and , rather than endure the vassalage ot" debt , : he instantly parted with the rich domalr . which his early entcrprise hiiti acquired—ivith his own mansion—with the fields which he himself had tamed to the ploughsharewith the forest whoso trees wero as familiar to him as his friends—and chose rather to dwell , for a time , in a rudo log cabin , in the pride of independence and integrity , - * . On all great occasions , Jackson's intluence was " defer * red . to . When Jefferson had acquired for the country tlus whole of Louisiana , aud there seemed some hesitancy on the part of Spain to acknowledge our possession , the services of Jackson were solicited by the national administration , and were not called into full exercise , only from the peaceful termination of the incidents that occasioned the summons ..
In the long scries of aggressions on the freedom of the seas , and the rights of the American flag , Jackson was on the side of . his country , and the new maritime code of republicanism , IiiJiis Jnhnd horn . - ? , ¦ . where . tha roar of the _m-snl-ers was never heard , aridituo ' mariner was never * seen , he resented the continued aggression ou ouv commerce and on our sailors . .:. _- When the _coiuinuancn of wrong compelled tho nation to resort to arms , Jackson , led hy the instinctive knowledge of his own groitaess , yet . with a modesty that would have honoured the most sensitive delicacy of _mature , confessed his willingness to bo . employed on the Canada frontier ; and it is afact that , he aspired to . We-, command to . which-Winchester was _appointed . We miry ' ask , what would have . beeii the rcsult / _ifi-the command of j the north westeriy army , had , at tho opening of the _warbeen entrusted ; to a man who , in _actionjiwas ever so for-1 tunatc , that bis _Vehement , will seemed-to have made destiny captive to his designs ? . ; " _£ >• : ¦
The path of glory led ; him . In . _another , direction . On the declaration of war , tweilty-fivij 'Vunured volunteers liad risun at his word to foliow his ' -standard * , but ,-b y countermanding orders from the seat of Government , tho movement was without effect . A new aiid great danger hung over the West . The Indian tribes wcre to make oue last effort to restore it to itisolitude , and recover it . for savnge life .. The brare , relentless Shawnccs—who , from time immemorial , had strolled from the waters of the Ohio to the rivers bf Alabama—were animated by Tccumseh and his brother the Prophet , who spoke to tliem 11 s with the voice Of the
Great Spirit , and roused the Creek nation to dc _.-periite massneres . Who has not heard of their terrible deeds , when tlieir ruthless cruelty spared neither ses nor age 1 When thc infant and its mother , the planter and his family , who had fled for refuge to tho fortress , thc garrison that capitulated— -all were slain , and not a vtstigc of defence was . left in tho country I - . Thc . cry of the West demanded Jackson for its defender ; and though bis arm was then fractured hy a ' l-jill _, nnd hung in a sling , hc placed himself at the head of-thc voluntceis of Tennessee , and resolved to terminate for ever the heredita ry struggle . '
. Who can tell tbe horrors of that eampaigii ? Who can paint rightly the obstacles wliich Jackson overcamemountains , the scarcity of tenanted forests , winter , the failure of supplies from the settlements , thc insubordination of _troops , mutiny , menaiiccs of desertion ? _, Who can measure the wonderful power over men , by which his personal prowess and attractive energy drew them in _mid-winter from their homes , across the mountains and morasses , and through trackless _deserts 1 Who can describe thc personal heroism of Jackson , never sparing himself , beyond any of his men encountering toil ami fatigue , sharing every labour of tho . camp and of tho march , foremost in every danger " .. giving up his horse to the invalid soldier , while he himself waded through the swamps on loot 1 None equalled him in power of endurance ; and the private soldiers , as they found him passing tliem on the march , exclaimed , " He is as lough as the hickory . " "Yes , " they cried to one another , " then * . goes Old Hickory . "
Who can narrate the terrible events of the double battics of Emuckfaw , or tho glorious victory of Toliopukn , where the anger of the general against tllC faltering was more appalUiij ; than the war-whoop nnd the rifle of the savage ? Who can rightly conceive the field of "Enotochopco , where tho general , as he attempted to draw the sword lo cut down a flying colonel who ir . is leading a regiment from the field , broke again the arm which was hut newly knit together ; and quietly replacing it in the sling , with his commanding voice arrested the flight of tho troops , and himself led them back to victory ! Ill six short months of vehement action , the most terrible Indian war in our annals was brought to a close , ihe prophets were silenced , the consecrated region of the '• Creek nation reduced . Through scenes of blood the avenging hero sought only the path to peace . Thus Alabama , a part of Mississippi , a part of his own Tennessee , and the highway to thc Floiidas , wero his gifts to the Viiiuii . _Tiioco were his trophies' j
Genius as extraordinary as military events can call forth , was summoned into action in this rapid , efficient , and most fortunately conducted war _. Time would fail were I to track our hero down thc watercourses of Alabama to thc neighbourhood of _Tensacola . How hc longed to plant the eagle of his country on its battlements ! Time would fail , and words be wanting , were I to dwell on thc magical intluence of his ay <" , n * nrance in Now Orleans . His _presenco dissipntcd gloom and dispelled alarm ; at once he changed the aspect of despair into . confidence of security and u hope of acquiring glory _. Every man knows the talo of the heroic , sudden , and yet deliberate daring which led him , on tho night of the 23 rd of December , to precipitate his little army on his foes , in the thick darkness , before thoy grew familiar with their encampment , scattering diminy through the veteran regiments of England , and defeating them , nnd Attesting tbeiv progress by a far inferior force _.
Who shall recount the counsels of prudence , tho kindling words of eloquence , that gushed from his lips to cheer his soldiers , his skirmishes and battles , till that eventful morning when thc day at Hunker's Hill had its fulfilment in the glorious hattlo of New Orleans , and American independence stood before thc world in thc majesty of victorious power . Tliese wcre great deeds for the nation ; for himself he did a greater . Had not Jackson been renowned for the vehement impetuosity of his passions , for his defiance of _otheis' authority , and the unbending vigour ofhis selfwill ! Heboid " the saviour of Louisiana , all garlanded with victory , viewing around him the city he had
preserved , thc maidens and children whom his heroism had protected , stand in the presence ofa petty judge , who gratifies his wounded vanity by an abuse of his judicial power . Every breast in thc crowded audience heaves with indignation . He , thc passionate , thc impetuous — he whose power was to he humbled , w _) jo _= o honor questioned , whose laurels tarnished , ahum stood sublimely serene ; and when the craven judge trembled , and faltered , and dared not proceed , himself , the arraigned one , _bstte him take courage , and stood by the law even in the moment when the law was made the instrument of insult and wrong on himself— -nt the moment of hiss most perfect claim to the highest civie honours _.
His country , when it _ijrew to hold many more millions , the , generation that then was coming in , has risen up to do homage to tho noble heroism of that hour . Woman , whose feeling is always right , did honour from the iirst to the purity ofhis heroism . The . people of Louisiana , to the latest hour , will cherish his name as their greatest benefactor . The culture of Jackson ' s mind had been much promoted by his services and associations in the war . His discipline of himself as the chief in command , his intimate relations with nun like Livingston , the wonderful deeds in which he bore a part , all matured his judgment and mellowed his character . l ' eaec came with its delights : once more the country rushed forward to the development of its _powCTS _* . _OUCC move the arts cf industry healed the wounds that war had inflicted ; and , from commerce and agriculture am ! manufactures , wealth gushed abundantly under the fret activitv of unrestrained enterprise .
Aud Jackson vetuvned to his own fields and his own pursuits , to cherish his plantation , to care forhisscrviiiitj _* , to look lifter his siud , to enjoy thc affection of thc most kind and devoted wife , whom he respected with lhc gentlest defvvei _' . ee , and loved with tenderness . And there he stood , like one of the mightiest forest trees of his own West , vigorous and colossal , - . ending its summit fo the skies , and crowing on its native soil in -niM ami iirinriinWe magnificence , careless of beholders . From all parts ofthe countrv he received appeals to his political ambition , and the severe modesty of his wellbalanced mind tinned them nil _. isi-le . He was happy in his farm , happy in seclusion , happy in his family , happy within himself .
But the passions of the southern Indians were not sll . iyed hy the peace with Great Hritain ; and foreign emissaries were still among ihem , to inflame and direct theii malignity . Jackson was called forth by his country tt restra in the cruelty of the _treai-henms and unsparing Seii . ' _iioU-s . Itwas in the train of thc events of this wai that he _pluceil the American ea » le on St . Miivk ' * im . above tlw ancient , towers of St , _Awgustino , His deeds it
that war , of thorn-elves , form a monument to human power , to tho celerity ofhis genius , to tho creative fertility ofhis resource-. , his intukire sagacity . As Spam , in _l' »* judgment , had committed aggression , he would have emancipated her islands ; ofthe Havana , ha caused the recou ' . ioissauco to he made ; and , with an army of _nvthousaml men , ho stood ready to guaranty her reuemption from colonial thraldom . Hut when peace was restored , and his office was accomplished , his physical strength sunk under the pestilential iiiikience of " the climate , and , fast yielding * to di _3-oaso , ha was bovno in a Utter across lhc swamps of _T-0-rida towards his home . It was Jackson ' s character that he never solicited aid from any one ; hut he never forgot these who rendered him service in thc hour of need . At a time when aU around him believed him near his cud , his wife hastened to his side ; and , by her tenderness and nursing care , her patient assiduity , and the soothing influence of devoted love , withheld him from the grave .
Ho would have remained , quietly at bis llOllie ill rcpOSC . but thnt lm was privately itif ' orincil his good name was to be attainted by some intended congressional proceedings ; he came , therefore , into the presence of the people ' s representatives at Washington , only to vindicate his name ; and when that was achieved , ho was once more communing with his own thoughts _amunj- the groves of llie Hermitage . Itwas notl-. i-s own ambition which broughthim again to thc public view . The affection of Tennessee compelled him to resume a seat on the lluor of the American Sonate , and , after years of the in tensest political strife , Andrew Jacksou was elected President of tho United States .
Far from advancing his own pretensions , ho always kept them back , and had _foryeai-5 repressed the solicitations Of his _frieiuls to become ll enudidnte . He lell sensibly that hc was devoid of scientific culture , aud littlo familiar with letters ; nnd he never obtruded his opinions , or preferred claims to place . Hut , whenever his opinion was demanded , ho was always ready to pronounce it ; aiid whenever his country invoked his services , he did not shrink even from the station which had been filled by the most cultivated men our nation had produced . ' - Behold , then , the unlettered man ofthe West , the nurs «
ling of the wilds , the farmer of thc Hermitage , littlo vu'sed in books , unconnected hy science wilh tho tradition ofthe past , raised by the will of thc people to the highest pinnacle of honour , to the centra ! post in the civilisation of republican freedom , to the station where all the nations of the earth would wateh bis actions—where _, his words would vibrate through the civilised world , aad his spirit be the moving star to guide the nations . — "Vflint p . _'iicy will hc pursue 1 What wisdom will he bring with him from , tlic forest ? What rules of duty will lift evolve from the Oracles of liis own mind ? '" . " _- . - _'* •" ' - """ _" ''¦" ¦' ¦ "
Thc man of the West came as the inspired prophet of th ( j West : he came as one free from the bonds of hereditary or established custom ; he came with no superior hut conscience , no oracle hut his native judgment ; mid , true to his origin and his education—true to tho conditions aud circumstances of his advancement , he valued right more than usage ; lie reverted from ' tlic pressure Of . established hitirests' to thc energy of first principles . . ,. Wc tread on " ashes , where the lire is hot yet . exjttiu . guislied ; yet not to dwell on his " career as President ; were to leave out of view thi ? grandest _illustrations of his magnahimity . '
The legislation * of tho "United States had followed the precedents of the legislation of European monarchies '; it . was tlWofHce of Jackson to lift the country Ottt Of tho European forms of legislation , ami to open to it a career resting en American sentiment aiid Amcricnj ) _freudom . — He would have freedom everywhere—freedom under the restraints of ri ght ; freedom of industry , of commerce , of mind , of universal . action ; freedom unshackled hy restrictive privileges , unrestrained hy thc thraldom of monopolies . The unity ofhis mind and his consistency were without a _parallel . With natural dialectics he developed tho political doctrines that suited every emergency , with a , precision and a harmony that no theorist could hope to equal , On every subject in polities—I speak but a fact!—he wns thoroughly and profoundly and immovably radical ; and would sit for hours , and in a continued flow of remark make the application of his principles to every question that could arise in legislation , or in the interpretation of the constitution .
H 13 expression of himself wti 3 so cl-ar , that his _iufiuauce pervaded not our land only , hut all America and all mankind . They say that , in the physical world , the magnetic fluid is so diffused , that its vibrations are discernible simultaneousl y in every part of tlic globe . So it is with the element of freedom . And as Jackson developed its doctrines from their source in the mind of humanity tint popular ' sympathy was moved and agitated throughout the world , till his name grew everywhere to ho tho symbol of popular power . Himself the witness ofthe mtlik's . _-ness of savage life , he planned the removal of tho Indian tribes beyond tho limits of the organised States ; and it is the result of his determined policy that the region cast of thc _Jlississippi has been transferred to the . exclusive possession of cultivated man .
A pupil of the wilderness , his heart was with the pioneers of American life towards thc setttiij' sun . No Ame . rican statesman has ever embraced within his affections a scheme so liberal for tlio emigrants ' as that of Jackson , lie longed to secure to them , not prc-ei ' nptibn rights onl _)* _, hut more than pre-emption rights . He longed to invite labour to take possession of the unoccupied fields witliout money and without price ; with no obligation except the perpetual devotion of itself by allegiance to its country . Under the beneficent influence of his opinions , the sons of misfortune , tlio children of adventure , find tlll'ir Wily lo thu uncultivated west . There in some wilderness glade , or in the thick forest of the fertile plain , or where tho prairies most sparkle with _ilbwcr . _" _- ; nuy / iiKu u . _c-tt , i boo which sets them the example of industry , may choow
their home , mark iho extent of their possessions by driving stakes or blazing trees , shelter tlieir log cabin with boughs and turf , and teach the virgin soil to yield itself to the ploughshare . Theirs shall be tbo soil , theirs the beautiful farms whieh they teach to bo productive . Come , children of sorrow ! you on whom thu Old World frowns ; crowd fearlessly to tho forests ; plant your homes in confidence , for thc country watches over you ; your children grow around you as hostages , and tho wilderness , at your bidding , surrenders its grandeur of _usciu 3 S luxuriance to thc beauty and loveliness of culture . Yet beautiful and lovely as is this 6 cene , it still by fur falls short of tho ideal which lived in the _alliictioiis of Jackson . His heart was ever with the piuneev ; his policy ever favoured tho diffusion of independent freeholds throughout the labouring classes of our land .
It would he a siu against the occasion , were I to omit to commemorate the deep devotcdiuss of Jackson to tho causo nnd to the rights of labour . It was for the welfare of the labouring * classes tbat he defied all thc storms of political hostility , He longed to secure to labour the fruits of its own iuduatr _*; -, aud tic unceasingly opposed CYCiy lO'stoni whieh tended to lessen their reward , or which ex . posed them to bo defrauded of their dues . Tho labourer may bend over his grave with affectionate sorrow ; for never in the tide of time , did a statesman exist moro heartily resolved to protect them in their rights , and to advance their happiness . For their benefit , he opposed partial legislation ; for tlieir benefit , hc resisted nil artificial methods of controlling labour , ami subjecting it to
capital , It was for their benefit that he loved freedom iu all its forms—freedom ofthe individual iu personal ' independence , freedom of the States as separate sovereignties . He never would listen to coutnels which tended to the centralisation of power . The tvu . ** American system pro-supposes tho diffusion of freedom—organised life in all the parts of the American body politic , as there is organised life in every part of the human system . Jackson was deaf to every counsel whicli _SOtllfllt tO Subject gen ' . 'r . _'tl labour to a central will . His vindication of the just principles of the constitution derived its sublimity from his deep conviction that this strict construction is required hy the lasting welfare of tho great labouring classes of tho United States .
To this end , Jackson revived thc tribunicial _powerof the veto , and exerted it against the decisive action 0 : both branches of _Coilgro . - . - _, against the votes , the wishes , the entreaties of personal and political friends , "Show me , " was his reply to them , " show me an express clause in the constitution authorising Congress to take thc business of State legislatures out oftheir hands . " "You will ruin us all , " cried a firm partisan friend , " jou will ruin your party aud your own prospects . " " Providence , " answered Jackson , " will take care of me ; " and ho _persevt-refl .. in proceeding to discharge thc debt of the United States —» _im-nsure thoroughly American — "Jackson _folloived the example of his prodecossors - but hc followed it with the full consciousness that ha was rescuing the ec _ nlry from the artificial system of finance which had prevailed throughout the world ; and with liim it formed a part ofa system by which American legislation was to separata Itself moru aud more effectually fron _Kurnpean precedents , and develope itself more and more , according to tho vkal principles of our political existence .
The discharge ofthe debt brought with it , of necessity , a grant reduction of thepublic burden *; , and _brought , of necessity , into view , the question , how far Amevictv sliould follow , of choice , the old restrictive system of high duties , under which Europe had oppressed America ; or lion * fa' * she should rely on her own freedom and enterprise and power , _defyiii- ' thc competition and seeking tiie nuirkets , aud _recaiviiv * tf _ products ot the world . The mind of Jackson on this suijeet reasoned clearly , and _uithoiit passion . In the abuses of tlio system of revenue l . y expressive imposts , he saw evils which tho pwMw . nun * , ' . wmiM remedy ; and , _iiu-l ' ming with the whole might ofhis energetic nature to the side of revenue duties , he made his earnest but tranquil appeal to thu judgment of tiie [ iconic
Tin-portions of country that suffered most severely from n system of legislation , which , in its extreme character as it then existed , is now uiiivers . _illy . _ickiiowleiigul to have been unequal and unjust , were Jess tranquil , and vullying on the doctrines of freedom , which made out * govi ' _-riimciit a limited one , they saw in the oppressive acts an assumption of power which was mi * f a lory , because it was exercised , as they held , without authority from the people . Tlio contest that ensued was the most momentous in our annals . The greatest minds of America engaged iu tha discussion . Eloquence never achieved sublimer triumphs in the American Senate than on those occasions . The country _bwame dirply divided , * ar . d the antagonist elements were arrayed against each other under i _* o » _-iU 8 of clashing authority menacing civil war ; tllC _ft'Codoin of the _s-jvand _-U-vt-is was invoked against the power of i ( _Contvw . « l in < w ifond page . )
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 2, 1845, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_02081845/page/1/
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