The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-25

/ Inc nath of neace should lead through blood, and
over the bodies Of the slain; but TO infct Psr m
evils that good may come, is dispensauoh Oh "
i vine Providence" a., 49,
j The prophecy was fulfilled long before the UNI
daunted general had completed his earthly career.
4 These heroic deeds attracted the attention OF ,he
general government and when that CRISIS ea'no '''a'
i was to exhibit to an impartial world that our an
| cien enemy Jealous of our rapid progress 10 giory
and empire, trampled upon the rights and prer1ga-
i tives of freemen, Jackson was honoreu ny ue Eh-
ecutve with the appointment of major general IN Inc
regular army. III ~
This was in May, 1914. After treating with the
i enemy he had subdued he marched, IN the autumn
Of that year. to the South, TO counteract the opera
tons of the British and Indians, who had made a
hostile demonstration in that quarter AS SPAN,
neutral nation, harbored them while they were har
assng our border he exercised the riSht OF oeiii-
gereni, acting upon the principle of sefpreserva-
ton and reduced her FORTS and planted the American
! eagle upon the walls of Pensacola.
i A lowering cloud hung over louisiana. Threat
ened with the arrival of well-appointed ana disci-
plined army; unprepared with men, or ihe muh'uons
of war, fear and dependency shook the faith, and
paralyzed the arm fher motley population. Dread
and dismay were depicted in every countenance, UNI
til the invncible general, with stern aspect and in
domitabe resolution, declared, IN tones OF thunder,
that the enemy should never reach the CITY,
i He gathered his limited means of defence. He
fortified every vulnerable point Seepless, active,
viglant himself, he animated the people by his bold
and courageous department lie told them they
were contendng for all that could render life desira-
be--"for your property and lives; for that which is
dearer than all-your wives and your children for
libery-without which, country, life, and property
are not worth possessing Even the embraces Of
wives and children reproach to the wretch who
would deprive them by his cowardice of those IN
estimable blessings.
"Natives of the United States! the enemy you
have to contend with the oppressors Of your
youthful political existencc-they are the oppres-
sors your fathers fought and conquered. Descend
ants Of Frenchmen natives of France! they are
English the hereditary and etemna enemies OF your
ancient country, the invaders of that you have
adopted Spaniards! remember the conduct OF your
allies at ST. Sebastian, and recently at Pensacola, and
rejoice that you have an opportunity OF avengg the
brutal injuries of men who dishonor the human
race. Lousianons your general reolces to witness
the spirit that anmates you not only for your hon.
or, but your safety Your enemy is near; his sail
already the lakes; but the brave are united
and if he finds us contending among ourselves, it
will be for the prize of valor, and fame its nobest
reward"
Such was the eloquent appeal of this illustrous
patriot to the raw and undiscipned army under his
control. The deepest solicitude filled his heart;
panic and peril surrounded him. The unredressed
rights and wrongs of the American people were con-
: centrated upon him. nations hope and nations
glory rested upon his lone arm. Peace, happiness
and contentment, the unsullied honor of our flag,
and the brilliant Notifying termination of dis
astrous war, depended upon bravery and discretion
and nobly did he redeem his pledge for the public
, security.
But in his midst were traitors and miscreants,
who would have sold New Orleans for an equiva-
len-men who, like the fox, "barked not until they
could steal the lamb"
}, To stiHe in embryo this infdelity to the country
and under the solemn conviction that the forms Of
the constitution should be suspended protect the
rights of the citizens, he declared martial law, and
superseded the functions of civil authority.
) News arrived at meridian on the 23d December
that the main body of the enemy had landed Eec-
f trio the shock to those who surrounded him.
to the general it the signal for immediate ac-
ton. He was aware Of the necessity of repulse,
to stimulate the respondent, and prepare for the
great contest that to bring disgrace glory on
our arms. His decision was prompt. He resolved
to meet them that night. When the sun had gone
down-when his parting rays shed faint glimmer-
ing in the west and all nature sought repose amid
the shadows of the evening, Jackson was preparing
for conflict, with ardor and energy premonito
r ny of eminent success.
At midnight, with scarcely solitary star to iu-
mine his PATH but directed by ray of light such as
guided the shepherds son the plains of Bethlehem"
he approached the enemy, drove him from his posi-
ton of fancied security; and like Gideon in pursuit
of Zebah and Zamunna, princes of INDIAN, he re-
turned from battle "before the sun was up"
The events of that night were pregnant with the
most important results. New life was infused into
) the army. No longer appalled, and disheartened by
foe, and proud of their general and his staff, they
reached the city flushed with the confident expecta-
ton that to the breach and the struggle
4 would be ended.
| That struggle came, and their anticipations were
realized.
I The memorable 9Th of January, 1915, dawned
amid the din and preparation of the contendng ar
mics Great was the disparity in numbers, the
presiding genius reused the vaor of his troops, and
4 prepared them for the battle They fought-fought
with the energy of veterans, and fell like tho bra
vest of the brave. Amid bombs, and balls, and
congreve rockets, they poured deadly fire on the
advancing columns, and illuminated the heavens
with the unremttpg flash of their artillery.
i But | am inadequate to the Office Of description,
and shall not detan you with the details of that
gallant strife. They as familiar as household
words, and must be impressed indelibly upon the
memory Of American citizens
! The triumphant decision Of that day you know.
1t came upon the country like clap of thunder in
the clear azure vault of the armament and travelled
with electromagnetic velocity throughout the con-
fines of the land.
/ To the victor was awarded nations blessing; to
his men, nations gratitude; and anthems, and
prayers, and praises offered up, in sincerity
and truth, in the temples of the living God, for his
4 gracious protection to political institutions,
through the instrumentaty of his illustrous SER
want.
The measure of Jackson's glory was not full. He
had vanquished tribes of cruel and barbarous In
dians he had conquered naughty and insolent foe;
he had established the second Independence Of his
counry but to the constitution of that country he
rendered tribute that will stamp him with UNI
i dying name.
Idolized by the people whose city he had saved;
cheered by the huzzas Of the multitude wherever he
went; surrounded by victorious soldiery, and
armed with all the pomp and circumstance of glori-
Gus war,-he arraigned for contempt before the
judicial authority Of the government
Did he resist MOI A thousand sabres would
have eaped from their scabbards for his security,
he had indicated such wish. He forebore; he
submitted, however unjust the Decree to the legally
constituted tribunal, and paid his fine like an en-
i lightened citizen Of O free republic.
4 The acts of his presidency are so recent--they
have been the theme of so much appreciation and
disapprobation by the people ofboth hemisphere
great has been the diversity of sentiment as to
their policy and wisdom--and coinciding as do, in
their justice and political efficacy, it does not be-
come to speak Of them the occasion of this SOL
Il euan md Interesting