Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-07-24
GENERAL JACKSON AND THE
PRESIDENT,

1t ia probably fortunate circumstance for the
tranquility of Mr.. Folks administration, that Gen.
jackson was summoned from this scene of earthly
care at so early day he was. 1t is not to be
doubted, that short the interval was which clap
sed from the 4th OF March up to the period of the
Generals demise, that there were several Execu-
tive movements not a, all in accordance with the
wishes and tastes of the Old Hero. Whether they
would ever have widened to the extent of an open
breach between Young and Old Hickory, it is now
impossible to say; but from the wel-known impe,-
uosy of character of the latter it is all i'm.
probable but they might. Political friendships are
of quick growth and of rapid declension, and espe-
ciaIly where any relation is supposed to be created
between the parties inconsistent, with the most per-
sec, freedom and Independence of action.
1t is no doubt very grave offence in the eyes Of
some persons that Mr.. Polk should occasionally
assume the very natural liberty Of thinking and
ing for himself; but il certainly 10 in ours.
We do not profess to know the high considerations
of "S,a,e necessity" which prompted the Presi-
den, to regard Blair & Rives unfit organs OF
Executive opinion--or to dismiss Mej. Lepis from
the ia, Office which he had SO long enjoyed, but no
one can regard the acts themselves and not admit
that in casting them aside he exhibited no incon-
siderable nerve and independence of mind. Blair
and Ripes were the decided favorites of Gen. Jack
son--they had his full confidence. LeUis was hi,
bosom friend. companion and confdant, and yet
one amongst the earliest acts of the President was
to supercede the former as Executive organ and to
drive the latter, 'shorn of his office, the shades
of the Hermitage to find in the society of his old
friend some consolation for the oss ofthe comforts
very much as il Mr. Polk had determined to be
President himself for the next four years-and not
to succumb. anticipated, to the power of
the Hermitage potent that influence had been
in securing him his ascent to power. Perhaps it is
only another illustration of that common nfrmity
which Shakespesr describes
"Tis a common proof,
That lowliness is young ambitions ladder,
Whereto the climber upeard turns his face:
But fchen he once attains the upmOst round
He then unto the ladder turns has back,
Looks in the clouds scorniag The base degrees
BY which he did ascend.
ho HdNe ooeh INV AAtsc itHeClioHs ny INC
perusal of recent communication of Maj. Lewis
published in the Nashville Banner. Annexed is
the communication referred to- with an interesting
letter from Gen. jackson appended to it, which we
insert as part of the "HistOry cfthe Times. So
We commend it to the perusal of all. We observe
the whole Democratic Press is s,udiously silent
upon this remopal of Gen. Jacksons friend Lewis,
though the letter-wIiters from Washington who are
proving around the "halls of the Cusars," in the
patriotic search after portion of the sPoiis,
very savage against him. L, is to one Of these let
tiers he now repes--hear hm;-
FOR Tue NASHVILLE BANNER.
Sir: The letter from which an extract
appears in the Banner of day, taken
from paper published at McMinnvlIle, is
attributed, | perceive, by you 10 Mr.. Sam
uel II. Laughlin. lin this you are cor.
rect, and | have no reason TO doubt it,
think you are also correct in the impress
sion, that 1t was read by the President
before i, was mailed for its destination;
Judging from the relations which are
known here to exist between them,
have no desire, sir, TO get into news
paper controversies with any one-l COW
ct no such notoriety--but when assailed
by the President and his minons feel it
due to myself to deny, al least, the truth
Of their allegations against me. Allow
me then to say, as | do, most emphatica!-
ly, that the statements in the letter REFER
red 10, one and all, so far as relates 10 my
political course, are entirely destitute of
truth. challenge him, the author, or
his employers, to name single individu.
al in Tennessee, or any other State, to
whom | ranked wing or any other docu
ments, for electioneerng purposes, pend.
ing the last Presidential election, or the
election of lS40. believe the only per-
sons in this State 10 whom wrote at all,
pending the election, wero Gen. Jackson
aud another distinguished citizen, and |
am perfectly willing that my letters to
them, or any other person (if to any 9TH
ers | may have written letters shall be
published.
These attacks upon mo were common
ced by the President himself, in letter
49,, ,.~ts,h ,.tas y