The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-07
THE DAILY UNION

that the government is in possession of the official
account Of the capture Of that important city,"
Again: On the nth January is the following:
"That Mr.. Madison will find il convenient and will
finally determine TO abandon the State of Louisiana,
we entertain doubt. Let the issue decide whether
we do him injustice An inquiry by Congress into
the fall Of New Orleans, when the intelligence trans
pres, will hx the blame upon the executive" And
again: On the Sd of February, member Of Con-
gress said, absolutely that the government was in
possession of information that the British had taken
New Orleans. And in New York gazette, OF
the 30th Of January, after dilating the terrible
mlsmanagement of government in permitting the
troops from Kentucky to go unarmed ii is said; cit
Is the general opinion here that the city of New Or
leans must full"
allude to these things, felow-citizens in no UNI
kind spirit. Far from il. do it as part of the
history of the times, to show what the impressions
were as to the danger and difficulty of defending
New Orleans and especially its defenceless sateai
least in the opinion of portion of the country-and
the establishment which must have ensued when the
result of the battle was announced. And that such,
too, was the calculation of the British government
is scarcely matter for doubt. Soon after the close
of the war; it was stated, authority entitled to
credit and SO challenged, to the day after the
reached Paris of the capture and confagration OF
Washington, a member Of the French government
expressed TO Lord Castereagh his doubts as to the
fact which his ordship replied: "Sire, it is true
beyond doubt and expect, at this moment, that
most of the large seaport towns in America laid
IN ashes; that we in possession of New Orleans,
and have command Of all the rivers Of the Missis-
sppi and the lakes; and that the Americans are
now little better than prsoners-at-arge in their own
country!" Thus shadowing forth what might and
would probably have been the consequences, if, in
deed, Great Britain had gained possession of New
Orleans and, with II, the command and keys of the
Mississippi 1t was under these circumstances that
this great battle fought-a battle in which, with
little more than half the numbers, the Americans
were victorious over more than 1900 of the finest
troops that ever appeared on our shores--troops
that had driven the warriors of France the conquer
of continental Europe, from the pillars of Her
cues to the Pyrenees. The loss on the side of the
British was four generals and major generals, ten
colonies, fourteen majors, thirty captains, eighty to
one hundred lieutenants, and some five six thous-
and men, killed, wounded, and prisoners while our
losses were few officers and one hundred and fifty
men, killed, wounded, and missing.
When we take into consideration the great dis
parity of loss and the inequality of force in the two
armies the difference in their discipline and expert
ence; the hardships to which the enemy had been
habituated in more than one quarter of the globe
hardships which our troops had for the fret time to
encounter and overcome, -wellmay this battle be re-
garded one of the most extraordinary in ancient
or modern times. In the long and devastating an
nails othe that desoated all Europe the proba-
bility is, that there meyer signal victory;
and that such will be the opinion of posterty few,
/ presume, doubt Indeed, in aftertimes it will
be embellished with all the ictions of poetry and
romance. And to whom is this victory to be as
cribedi
Spirits of the gallant Coffee and Carroll, of Viii
lery and Lahatut, what say your Ye brave men of
the West who followed the footsteps, and witness.
ed the godlike bravery and devotion Of your illus
trlous Chief do not your hearts, big with mighty
emotion, responsive say, 1t Andrew Jackson
Yes; it was his mighty spirit and the fruitful and
varied resources of his great mind, that did this
work of death and glory. 1t was in his dauntless
exposure and individual prowess, in the midst, and
indeed in every part Of the BATTLE that realize all
that we read Of in heroic stories-of the warrior
streaming like meteor through the fight and work.
ing wonders by his presence and single arm. It is
said of him, and truly, that for five nights and days
he scarcely slept; and when he did, it was by snatch
es, and in his clothes; that his horse stood always
near him, and equipped, even when in council The
world has, and will continue, to regard this victory
as one of those master-srokes by which great
events achieved and great characters stamped as
it were, by single blow, and which bespeak that
rare combination of genius to conceive, promptness
to decide, and holiness to execute; and if we ad-
mire his presence Of mind and dauntless valor in
the hour of danger and battle, we are not less
struck with his modesty and self-command amid the
flush Of triumph. A courageous heart may, and will
often, carry man stouty through the battle; but IL
argues strong quality of the head, to drain UNI
mixed the Intoxicating cup Of victory.
How strikingly was this illustrated in his simple
and concise letter, announcing the victory, and in
answer to one/of the numerous addresses which
were presented to him in honor of the victory: 81
hope you will believe that feel all that should
feel on this OCCASION; for my countys gratitude is
the best reward for all the soldiers tolls. To the
defence of New Orleans, was called by duty; and,
in the performance of it, my best exertions were
t,oe Ruff IN o,d he info
we are indebted for the victory. To Heaven and
them, let it be awarded"
Can there be anything more touching and sub
limei And surely, if there be an overriding Prov-
dence, who directs the destiny Of men and nations,
this great man seems to have been destined by
Heaven to tread the wine-press. Conquerors of the
mighty Napoleon, half thy laurels shall deck our
warriors tomb!
Those who wish to see how country can de-
fend itself without regular army, and whatSsort Of
succor Ia to be obtained when the hour of peril and
trial comes-they who wish to satisfy themselves
whether the bravery and patriotism Of freemen can
preserve itself under the caamities of desolating
war, should read the history of our last war with
Great Britain, and especially the defence of New
Orleans, and the lessons of General Jackson's life
and experience. We'll may our country, then,
proudly claim for him the high character Of a re-
nowned warrior!
His military services in Florida were also of an
some time in expelling the British and savages and
furnishing the perfdy and insolence of the haugh-
iy Spaniard. He was afterwards made governor Of
the Terrtory-secured, by his energy, the rights of
the government and people-organized territorial
government, and then resigned his appointment
and in his letter Of resignation, with his character
istc fankness and boldness, he expressed the hope
that Congress would not again invest any person
with such large powers. He was subsequently Of
fered the appointment of minister to Mexico,
which he refused; and amongst other reasons as
signed for refusing, was thisthat he would go to no
court whose chief officer was a usurper!
And now, fellow-citizens, passing from this re-
view Of the military services and character of Gen.
jackson, we come to that equally important, but
more delicate part Of his life connected with his
civil administration of the government for period
Of eight years.
In the presidential contest of 1924, his name, for
the first time, presented to the American people
by the legislature of his own State, and numerous
bodies Of his ellow-citzens throughout the Union,
as fit person to fill the presidential chair. In that
election he was, however defeated by the vote, not
of the people, but of the House of Representatives,