The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
FoR TEE MApIsoSIAN.

FOR TEE MADIsoNIAN.
GENERAL JACKSON AND THE BANKS.
The fame OF its great men belong to the country:
il forms part of their country's history. There
fore II behpves those who have been exalted by
their country, to especially guard their reputation
free from blemish, with which to embesh the pages
Of its history, as handed down to future genera
lions.
or all the sages who have passed off the stage of
action, who, during their lifetime had been elevated
by the American people to the highest distinction
within their power TO bestow; no one among the
whole number was so unfortunate in sullying his
own biography by his own acts, during the latter
period of his life as that individual who was sue
| ceeded in the Presidential chair by the renowned
and revcred THOMAS JEFFERSON. The far celebrated
Cunningham Correspondence shows how far the in
diligence of incorporate and violent feelings ex-
pressed in private correspondence could lead to the
height of injustice being done to those in whom the
most implicit confidence had at one time been con-
6ded, and against whom subsequently, embiuercd
prejudice and hostility existed.
The history Of the past times, and the circumstan-
connected with the publication of that cores
pondence indicates unerringly, how easy il is for
an individual whose reputation belongs to his
try, from the exalted station he has held rob that
country Of what belongs 10 IT, by INDUCING in
strained expressions, (even in pirate correspon-
dence) of unjust prejudices and violent denuncia-
tions; and thereby committing suicide on his per-
sonal character.
1t might have been hoped, and even expected, that
the example referred 10 would have operated a
beaconght, TO have guarded others against ship
wrecking their fame on similar shoal.
These reflections are suggested by the events of
recent times.
/ No individual was greater admirer Of General
Jackson's character during the period he filed the
chair Of the Chief Magistracy a warmer support
| or of his administration than the writer of this
essay 1t has been with the deepest regret that
have read, within few months past extracts Of two
pirate letters written by him, and more recently, an
entire letter; also, as il appears intended originally
as private letter, put forth publicly TO the world.
The first, scithoH authority; and the latter, by the
permission of the writer.
When | read the first, as they were put forth in
the Globe in which the banks were charged with
BASE PERFIDY AND TREACHERY TO THE
/ GOVERNMENT, DESERVING OF NO FA-
yOR FROM THE GOVERNMENT OR THE
PEOPLE, / viewed it as hasty expression made
under state of momentary excitement and without
! either due consideration or reflection. was the
more induced to this belief because ii differed so
widely from any thing which had ever before seen,
to which General Jackson affixed his name. The
thought Involuntary crossed my mind that if ever
any one had good cause, General Jackson at that
time had, to calculate Lord protect me from my
friends"
deeply regret to say, that the charitable feelings
which at first INDUCED towards the writer of the
letters, have been in great degree blunted by
ing recently copied into the Globe from the Cncin-
natl Advertiser, letter addressed by General Jack
son 10 its editor, Moses Dawson Esq, dated at the
Hermitage, December II, 1887. This letter was
written many months after those previously referred
to; when all causes Of excitement, (if any previous
" existed might be supposed to have subsidized; and
when reason should have combatted error. This
letter contains repetition of the unjust allegations
before made against the banks, with some additional
ones which apprehend it will be found dficulto
sustain with ample proof.
To expose the errors of one, who for years past
has held an exalted station, and commanded vast
respect is no pleasing task The higher the au-
thority from whence flows the greater the dan
ger to be apprehended and the more imperious the
demand that it should be promptly arrested
These letters appear to have been written, with
the main view to aid in establishing the hobby ofthe
day, Of certain class of politicians, (the oup irea-
sury scheme y to arouse feeling of prejudice on
the part of the community against the whole OF the
banking institutions of the country and eventually
to lead 10 their entire overthrow The first extracts
we're published about the period the subject Of the
scheme was first agitated The last letter. soon after
the scheme was a second time recommended TO the
consideration Of the Representatives Of the people,
and urged for their adoption.
How far The use of so popular name as thai OF
General Jackson in connection even win "re'ra-
gibe facts for the accomplishment of such objects,
may coincide with the popular maxim winch ne
originated in his first annual message TO Congress
"to ask nothing that is not clearly right and 70 SUD
nit 10 nothing thai is Trong," can in my opinion
hardly be matter either Of conjecture OF dispute.
In his letter Of the 18th December, General Jack.
son twice repeats his former grave charges OF ~
trcaehery Of the banks 10 tts Gorcr"msm. ihi'
charge impu,es dishonesty TO every individual con
ncc,cd with the administration Of all the banks in