The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-07-18
THE FREE TRADER.
Andrew jackson.


late from foreign country. At the age of four
teen he was left an orphan, wilhou, friends or re-
latives-without the palrimony Of wealth or name,
bis father having died long before, his two elder
brothers having fallen by his side ON the battle
field, his asser soon after lying victim to grief
and sorrow, and himself wounded, sick, and pri-
soner. Look forward now to the future and con-
lecture what will be his destiny. How she'll he
buffet the rude pillows Of the world 7 How shall
he, an orphan, without skill, without learning,
guide his bark DER the ,emPestuous sea Of life
He cannot. With no father to counsel, he will not
discern the hidden rocks and shoals; with no mo.
tber to caution, he will dash mady upon them !,
with no friend TO instruct, he will not know the
signs Of the skies, learn to trim his sail to the
shifting winds. Misfortune claims him oil her
cwn, and she will consummate her design by the
speedy wreck OF what little remains.
But now open the volume Of his history and
read. This orphan, starting from obscurity, at.
tanned the goal Of glory. II is he that contribut
ed, in high degree, to make our country what
she is; has glorously defended her upon the bat
tic field; been foremost in the :ounseis Of staie
and held the highest Offices in her gift and for
whom, now that "tkc silver cord is looscd and the
golden bowl broken" she pours forth her tears Of
sorrow. The morning sun Of his life was dark
with storms; at noon il shone with great warmth
and br!iancy a, eve it sank, calm, serene, and
clear, without cloud.
Cicero, in his plea for Pompey, regards fortune
rs ono Of the essential attributes of the great,
This sentiment appears TO be true in all things,
and especially so in war, where chance often holds
tho unequal scales. and nations rise or fall upon
the throw Of die. "There is divinity which
shapes our ends" No man gains SO much pow.
or, or acquires such a mass Of knowledge as to
make him master Of his fatcs, cause him to tri-
umph over opposing elements. Bonaparle pos.
sessed the same mind, the same transcsndent
powers, when he saw the capital OF Russin, his
only refuge from the devouring elements, and
which be thought safe in his POSSESSION, sinking
amid the flames, as when he Frustrated the Allied
Powers at the field Of Marengo. But fortune
frowned, and he sank powcrcss. That bold bar.
harlan that scaled the citadel of Rome, would ever
have been regarded as the gteal hero Of that age,
bad not some simple bird proved more wachful
guardian Of the hesiesed city than the far famed
Roman soldier, once, at least sleeping at his post
So great obstacles present themselves in ascend
ing the heights Of fame; such frightful sleeps
so many winding paths; SO many false lights
"that lead TO bcwilder and dazzle 10 blind;' SO
many enliccmcnts that beguils the traveller
that he never will gain the summit, unless some
friendly genius, ever present, shall point the way,
shall inspire with courage and zeal, and lend an
assisting hand when difficulties are to be cncoun-
tered and dangers overcome. No one can launch
forth on the sea Of fortune with any hope Of sue
cess, when wind and tide, and the powers Of hca-
ven are agains, him. IT'S Only when these are
favorablc-when proplious winds wait him swift
ly onward DER the swelling pillows, that he can
cxpec. to make the desired port.
General Jackson witnessed the Accomplishment
Of almost every thing which he reasonably expec.
ted and desired. In his eventful life he has been
accused of disrespcct Of the constitution and
laws Of his county. Some time since he remark
cd that there was only one thing which he desir
Cd and regarded os due TO him from his country
men. II was the remission Of the fine imposed
upon him by Judge Hall; not for any pecuniary
consideration, but that that transaction, in wlrci
he is supposed by some TO have committed ihos'
grievous faults, might be exhibited to the worll
in its true light, and himself and his vinai
Gated. Conscious Of his own integrity and puri
ty Of motive, he believed he mcried the juslca
ton, and ii came Mt last, though lite. by the up
proving voice Of his coun,rymen. II is the tenn
pered steel alone that will cut; aud mental capu
city, unless united with strong passion, will b
powerless and unprojuctive Possessed Of maj
tial spirit by nature, an in1exiblc will. and indie
mitablc energy, and setting his face to danger a
flint TO the hammer, il is possible that, in tn
collision, the fire Of passion may have flown, an
that he sometimes passed the bounds Of moder,
ton, at least. But who now doubts his sinceril,
even if,hcy think he erred in Judgment cspecia
~ since bis dying declaration, ",ha, he never, !
any instance, had beon guilty Of the heinous o
fence Of violating the constitution and laws
his country
will not speak Of him as tho leader Of pol
tical party, only so far as regards his fortune an
success. Parties there ere. and, we fear, neccss
rily must be under government, like ours In il
sti.u'ions likoours, where though, and exprcssic
are free, and each may follow the dictates Of h
reason and inclination. differences Of opinion
be more likely to arise than under the dcspo,s
ofsn autocrat, where the current Of though,
over frozsn, and the nina Is bound in iron chair
These differences Of opinion proceed, double,
from honest convictions Of right and wrong; pl
cold and hcar,lcss mus, that man be who will n
concede honesty Of purpose TO an honorable q
poncnt, and rival even, and, when his life is cl
cd, overlook the things in which he believes