The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-28

mixture OF Justice ana general rtSafu ior all ihtef-
ests the greatest danger TO institutions was turn
ed aside, and mankind was encouraged to believe
that our Union, like our freedom, is imperishable,
The moral Of the great events of those days Is
this: that the people can discern right, and wiii
make their way to a knowledge of right; that the
whole human mind, and therefore with 1t the mind
of the nation, has continuous, ever improving ex-
stence; that the appeal from the unjust legislation oil
to-day must be made quietly, earnestly, Perseve-
rngly, to the more enlightened collective reason OF
tomorrow; that submission is due TO the popular
WILL in the confidence that the people, when in error,
will amend their doings; that in popular govern
ment injustice is neither to be established by force,
nor to be resisted by force in word, that the
Union, which was constituted by consent, must be
preserved by love.
1t rarely falls to the happy lot Of statesman to
receive such unanimous applause from the heart OF
nation. Duty to the dead demands that, on this
OCCASION the course of measures should not pass
character most clearly appeared, and his conflict
with opposing parties was most violent and protract-
ed.
From his home in Tennessee, Jackson came to
the presidency resolved to lift American legislation
out of the forms of English legslation and to place
our laws on the currency in harmony with the prin-
ciples of our government. He came TO the presl-
dency of the United States resolved to deliver the
government from the Bank of the United States,
and to restore the regulation of exchanges to the
rightful depository of that power-the commerce OF
the country. He had designed to declare his views
on this subject in his inaugural address, but was
persuaded to relinquish that purpose, the ground
that it belonged rather to a legislative message.
When the period for addressing Congress drew
near, it still urged that to attack the bank would
forfeit his popularity and secure his future defeat
at is moi" he answered, 'it is not for myself that
care" II was urged that haste unnecessary, as
the bank had still six unexpended years Of chartered
existence. 81 may die he replied "before another
Congress comes together, and / could not rest
quietly in my grave, if failed to do what hold
SO essential TO the liberty of my country"
And his first annual message announced to
the country that the bank was neither con-
sttutional nor expedent. In this he was in ad-
vance of the friends about him, in advance Of Con-
gress and in advance of his party. This is time
for the analysis of measures or the discussion of
questions of political economy: the present oc-
cason, we have to contemplate the character ofthe
man.
Never, from the first moment of his adminstra-
ton to the last was there calm in the strife Of par
ties on the subject of the currency; and never, du
ring the whole period, did he recede falter. AL
ways in advance of his party--always having near
him friends who covered before the bardih0od of
his courage, he himself throughout all the contest,
was unmoved, from the first suggestion Of the un-
consttutonality of the bank, to the moment when
he himself, first of all reasoning from the certain
tendency of its policy, with singular sagacity pre-.
dcted to unbelieving friends the coming insolvency
of the institution.
The storm throughout the country rose with UNI
exampled vehemence: his opponents were not sat
isfed with addressing the public, or Congress, or
his cabinet they threw their whole force personally
on him. From all parts men pressed around him,
urging him, entreatng him to bend. Congress
was flexible; many of his personal friends faltered;
the impeuous swelling wave rolled on, without one
sufficient obstacle till it reached his presence; but as
it dashed in its highest fury at his feet, it broke
before his frmness The commanding majesty of
his will appalled, his opponents and revived his
friends He, himself, had proud consciousness
that his will was indomitable Standing over the
rocks of the Rip Raps, and looking out upon the
ocean, providence" said he to friend, ssProyi-
dence may change my determination; but man no
more can do it, than he can remove these Rip Raps,
which have resisted the rolling ocean from the be-
ginning of time" And though panic was spread
ing through the land and the whole credit system as
it then existed was crumblng to pieces and crash.
ing around him, he stood erect like a massive
column, which the heaps Of falling ruins could not
break nor bend, nor sway from its fixed foundation
TAT this point Mr.. Bancroft turned to address the
mayor of the city Of Washington; but, finding him
not present, he proceeded
People Of the District of Columbia: should fail
of duty this occasion, if did not give utter
ance to your sentiment of gratitude which followed
General Jackson into retirement, Dwelling amongst
city, surrounded by heights the most attractive,
watered by river so magnificent, the home of the
gentle and the cultivated, not less than the of
political power-this city, whose site Washington
had selected, was dear to his affections; and il he
won your grateful attachment by adjoining it with
monuments of useful architecture, by establishing
its credit, and relieving its burdens, he regretted
only that he had not the opportunity to have con-
nected himself still more intimately with your pros
perity.
As he prepared to take his final leave of the Dis
trct, the mass of the population of this city, and the
masses that had gathered from around, followed
his carriage in crowds. All in silence stood near
him, to wish him adeu; and the cars started and
he displayed his gray hairs, he lifted his hat in
token of farewell you stood around with heads I'M
covered too full of emotion to speak, in solemn ST.
lence gazing on him AS he departed, never more to
be seen in your midst.
Behold the warrior and statesman, his work well
done, retired to the Hermitage, to hold converse
with his forests, TO cultivate his farm, to gather
around him Hospitality his friends! Who was like
HIM? He still the load-star of the Ameri-
can people. His fervid thoughts, frankly uttered,
still spread the flame ofpatriotism through the Amer
lean breast; his counsels were still listened to with
reverence; and, almost alone among statesmen, he
in his retirement was in harmony with every on
ward movement of his time. His prevailing influ-
ence assisted to sway neighboring nation to desire
to share institutions his heard the footsteps
OF the coming millions that are to gladden. our west
ern shores; and his eye dscerned in the dim distance
the whitening sails that to enliven the waters of
the Pacific with the social sounds of our successful
commerce.
Age had whitened his locks, and dimmed his eve,
and spread around him the infrmities and venerable
emblems of many years of toilsome service; but his
heart beat as warmly as in his youth, and his cour-
age was as firm it had ever been in the day of
battle But while his affections were still for his
friends and his country, his thoughts were already
in better world. That exalted mind, which in ac-
tive life had always had unity of perception and
will, which in action had never faltered from doubt,
and which in council had always reverted to first
principles and general laws, gave itself up to
communing with the Infinite. He was believer:
from feeling, from experience, from conviction Not
shadow of scepticism ever dimmed the ustre Of
his mind. Proud philosopher! will you smile to
know that Andrew Jackson perused reverenty his
Psalter and Prayer-book and Biblei Know that
Andrew Jackson had faith in the eternity of trutht
IN the imperishable power of popular freedom, in
the destinies of humanity in the virtues and capaci-
VI n fhn ,.L -