Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-02-03

We think the following extract from the speect
OF 4dr. SlDELL oil Louisiana, on the Bill to refund
General Jackson's fine, will be read by ALL with
great interest. This gentleman represents the
Battle. field district, and evinces most thorough
acquaintance with the most minute circumstan-
ces connected with this affair. The Democrats
were willing to pass this bill without the slight
est aliuson to the vindicive and ill Judged con-
duct of Judge Hall; but the Blue Light members,
concious OF the vulnerability of their Hero, de-
tended the Judge IN advance Of any accusation
Then 1t became necessary for the Democratic
members to fix the blame where it iustlv belonged
which they did most triumphantly. The only
part of this speech for which we are able to make
room is eulogium upon the great natural quail
ties of the noble old Chief
shall endeavor to be brief; and, consequently,
shall not enter into any examination of the prin-
ciples of martial law, OF the law OF ccntempts;
because, unhappily, the declining health of our
old and venerated chief feeingly admonishes us
that, If We do not act at once instead of pouring
oil into the bleeding wounds of the vet living SOL
der, we may probably only have it in our power
to render tardy and insufficient justice to the men,
ory OF the deceased patriot. In the autumn of
1914, General Andrew Jackson, from fortunate
concurrence OF circumstances, which would al
most seem to be providen,ial, was appointed to
b;cb -i-sna Of 'h> -""An.h military district in
become known beyond the limits of Tennessee
by his services at the head of the volunteer mill
tia of that State, iii the campaign of l8I3clI,
against the Creek Indians. Although much en-
feebled by disease, he, by his unceasing activity
and indomitable energy, under circumstances the
Ia rxfL zll
rapid movements, had, in few months, COM
petely broken the spirit of that powerful and
martial tribe, and reduced them to suheetion.-
He had manifested. on a more obscure theatre,
and against barbarous foe, those great qualities
which were soon to distinguish him in a conflict
on which the eyes of all nations were turned. He
was about to measure his strength with the most
accomplished veteran generals of the age, at the
head OF the most numerous and best appointed
regular army that ever was ranged in battle on
this Continent He had no military experience.
He had probably never perused military treatise.
He knew nothing of strategy, as an art, 'snor the
division Of a battle knew, more than spinster"
But he had that within him, by Gods gift, which
than supplied the place of all that less favor
ed mortals could only have acquired by years of
study and practice. He was born soldier, in
the most comprehensive sense of the word. And
here let me be permitted to say. that l, for one,
do not sympathife With what consider a sicklf
affectation Of the day-tfic elamor against (to Use
the popular paranee) military chiettains. ! con-
slider that, to be great soldier, requires COM
bination of all the highest qualities which go to
constitute greatness In any department of active
life. There may be no particular talent necessary
to maneuvre well appointed force in the field;
and some of the most important battles which
history has recorded, have probably been gained
by very inferior men. But the faculty of com i.
manding masses of men; to produce order from
chaos; to reduce to discipline the most Stubborn
and discordant materials; to infuse into an army
the confidence which is always the precursor Of
victory; to communicate the electric spark of en-
thusiasm, which is the vital principle of all high
and noble daring, without which an army is but
caput mortuum-an inert and lfeess mass
This is, indeed, to be great Take my word for
it, the man who can do this, will be distinguished
in the cabinet as in the field. The great soldiers
Of all countries and ages have heen great states
men. and Jackson was no exception to this rule.
He has had many distinguished men about him;
but Instead Gas many had supposed would be the
case when he was elevated to the Presidency of
being mere nominal President, an instrument in
the hands of ether and ADLER men, he was the mas
ter spirit of his party, and stamped his own i'm
! press en- everything that surrounded him. The
reputation Of such man belongs to his country
and it should be our care that no undeserved stain
should rest upon it; that the judgement which
the sentence of an Unjust and prejudiced tribunal
] pronounced upon hitn should be reversed by tht
Representatives of the Aneridah people: