Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-07-24

counrymen; threatened with mutiny
in his ranks; surrounded by traitors
and spies; in land where large por-
ton of its citizens being foreigners by
birth, felt but little interest in Tie pro-
lection Of the soil from the expected in
vasion,-were indeed circumstances
well calculated to depress even the spi-
rlts OF ANDREW JACKSON. Yet he
breathed his apprehensions to nome
But with brow serene and calm as is
the unrippled bosom Of a lake, he en-
deayored to cheer, with hopes of sue
cess, the tagging energies ofhis troops.
Guided by that promptitude in de-
cislon, and activity in execution which
ever formed among the leading traits of
his character, the plans of ANDREW
JACKSON were conceived with the ra-
pidi:y of thought an efor, was made
10 call out the militia of the State; the
requisitlon was resisted; and the Leg
isEature, to their eternal shame be it
said, sanctioned the resistance, by as
suming to themselves the right Of de-
eIaring the demand illegal. Thus back
ed and supported, as might be expect
ed, they refused to defend their coun-
try from the threatened invasion.
Influenced by these and other consi-
derations of equal moment he appeal
ed to the Legislature for suspension
of the writ of habeus corpus, and with a
deliberation unsuited to the emergency
of the times, they proceeded upon their
tedious Investigations. ANDREW JACK
SON was not to be thwarted thus, my
countrymen; for, assured that procras-
tination would forever defeat the ends
to oe accomplished by his petition, re-
solving that the country should be de-
Tended at all hazards, boldly took upon
himself all responsibility, and superce-
9ed their tedious deliberations by de-
claring the city and environs of New
Orleans to be under the control of mar
tlal law! Whose shall be the voice
among you, my countrymen, to con-
denim him Whose the voice 20 pro-
claim that it was wrong to require of
men that they should forget for time
the habits ofsocial life to fight the bat
ties of their country Whose to con-
tend that when constitutional forms
had been resorted to, and proved ineffi-
clent, 1t was wrong, at such moment,
to suspend them for the preservation of
constitutional rights? Nay, my coun-
trymen, is there doubt in your minds
as to whether or not it be better to de-
part, for moment, from the enjoy
ment of our dearest privileges, or TO
have them wrested from US forever?-
Let no fireside patriot proclaim it as an
unnecessary usurpation Of power or a
violation Of the peoples rights, for by
it ANDREW JACKSON ultimately obtain
ed safety for his country and distin-
guished honors for himself.
For this inestimable service render
ed to nation, he was fined by one
Domlnick A. Hall, Judge of the Fed
eral Court of that district, one thousand
dollars! Domlnick A. Hall!-'expres-
siye silence muse has proise ~
Pass with me OH, fellow citizens, to
the evening of the 23d of December,
in the year 1914. The hour to test
the bravery of his troops has, indeed,
arrived; for, flushed with the hope of
easy victory, the foe was rapidly adj
vancing against the city. Apprised of
their approach between the hours of
one and two O'Clock in the afternoon,
by dark ANDREW JACKSON had faced
those veteran troops, who were TIE
pride of England and the conquerors of
Europe! Opposed to them was his
own unbending and unconquerable spi-
r:t, an inferior, undisciplined, and unar-
med force. Yet the soldier who has
withstood the shock Of battle, who
knows how Slight the circumstances
that will oft produce decisive advanta-
ges, cannot fail to appreciate the events
Of that night! For altho' the finishing
blow, that crushed 10 earth the towering
hopes of the invader, was reserved for
the ever memorable 9Th day of January;
yet in the battle of the 23d is to be
found abundant cause why the Amer.
can arms were ultimately crowned with
triumphant success.
Once more 10 the battle plains Of N.
Orleans, my countrymen, and ! have
done with the military career ofAND'w
JACKSON. For eight long days had
the belllgerent parties encamped upon
the same field; and nothing, as yet,
decisive of the fate of either had been
accomplished. Twice had the British
Forces essayed to effect by storm the
lwccution Of their plans. Twice had
lIhey been driven back and compelled
tarelinqnish the attempt.
The morning Of the 9Th Of January
aslength dawned upon the hostile ar