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

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religious liberty in Europe in the 10th and l7th cen
turles colonized this portion of North America and
il amongst these early colonists, that the great
principle of liberty Of conscience and the perfect
freedom Of the SOUL first fully recognised, and
firmly and permanently established. In Europe, the
struggle for religious liberty was always dsfgured
by the dark spirit Of persecution. The Lutheran
prosecuted the Calvinst-the Calvnst the Luther
an--the Catholic prosecuted both, and both in turn
prosecuted the Catholic; while in America, all the
various sects of Christians learned to live together
IN amity and upon the principle of universal tole-
ration The question of religious liberty being
solved by the colonies, the public mind naturally
turned TO the question Of political liberty. Sooner
or later, this question would have been solved
by America in favor of humanity; but England,
in the arrogant spirit Of her counsels, hasten
ed and precipitated its final determination On the
4h Of July, 1776 the representatives Of the Ameri
people, in Congress assembled proclaimed their
country free and independent What sublime
spectacle did the American Congress exhibit, that
day to the gaze of admiring nations! The dele
gates of thirteen colonies, the apostles Of new po-
tical faith, proclaimed in the face of the world, the
political equality of man, and the freedom and indie
pendence Of America. And this sublime declaration
Of public faith--the political creed of naton-was
afterwards sealed and consecrated by the blood Of
the American people.
In the midst Of the great names that adorn the
annals OF that glorious epoch that of George WASH
lDgtOn bldnuS pfe-tMlneHG IL StdfiuS US O DCuCOH
Of light and hope to the friends Of liberty and
humanity throughout the world. He rescued his
native land from colonial bondage; he saved gal
liant nation from degradation and oppression; and,
with the plaudits of grateful people resounding in
his ears, he relinqushed more than kingly power,
and retired to the peaceful shades Of his own delight
full Mount Vernon. Where, in the records Of time,
can you find such heroic disinterestedness' Where,
amongst the heroes whom servile world has idol
lied, can you find such exalted virtues! While the
immortal Washington was leading the continental
troops to victory, boy Of thirteen years Of age en-
tered the republican ranks, in the back settlement of
South Carolina and engaged in the fiery conflicts
which then dcsolated that devoted State. That boy
was Andrew Jackson. He endured all the horrors
of war with fortitude He bore imprisonment and
cruel treatment with the heroic rmness of veteran
and when wal. terminated, and victory gave inde-
pendence TO his country, he remained the only MEM
Der ofhs family that survived the calamities OF the
revolution.
In 1885, young Jackson turned his face towards
the great West and removed to the back settlements
Of North Carolina, now East Tennessee There
he entered upon that eventful career, which ended
only with his life, and which, in wild adventure,
dazzling and uniform success, and grand and
magnificent results, surpasses even the most gor-
geous tale of Eastern romance. His fearless spirit
was cast in the fiery furnace of the revolution He
there mbibed that deep hatred Of oppression, which
formed essential element of his nature, and gave
dramatic interest to every act of his life From the
day he seized his rifle in the Waxhaw settlement to
battle against the oppressors of his country until the
day he surrendered his spirit to his Creator, in the
Hermitage, he never hesitated either in his public
or private career hazard life and reputation in de-
fence of innocence and feebleness, against power
and oppression. These were the noble qualities
that distinguished Andrew Jacksonville qualities
which won the esteem and admiration of his coun-
trymen. He was successfully chosen delegate to
the convention that framed the constitution of Ten
nessee, representative, and afterwards senator in
Congress, and finally Judge of the supreme court
of his adopted State. Honors like these, showered
upon him in rapid succession, show how highly the
gallant settlers of the West, even at that early pc
Rod, appreciated the extraordinary character of
Andrew jackson. But bright as were these civic
honors, they were all soon destined to be eclipsed
by the lustre of his military career. English ag-
gresson compelled America to take up arms once
more in defence Of liberty. War commenced in
1912, and, at the same time, number Of Indian
tribes, stimulated by British agents and British
presents, entered into dreadful conspiracy to ex.
terminate the whole white population of the frontier
settlements The Creeks were one of the most
powerful tribes of the confederacy. They occupied
an immense tract of territory in the southwestern
part Of the United Statcs and to accomplish their
savage purposes they fell suddenly and Unexpectedly
upon the defenceless inhabitants, and commenced
an indiscriminate slaughter of men, women, and
children, throughout the surrounding settlements.
Alarm seized the public mind; the settlers called for
jackson to lead them, to rcpel the ferocious foe,
and save his countrymen from determination.
Every American knows the history of this war.
With starving troops, in wild mutiny and disorder
around him, he fought and defeated the Indians in
several bloody engagements--at Talladega, Emuck-
faw, Enotochopco and Tohopeka-an and utterly an
initiated their power as a nation. In this cam
paign he showed the world, by the grandeur Of his
plans, and the rapidty of his movements, that on
wider theatre, with veteran army, he would have
swept over nations with as much facility he swept
over the Indian territory. In the mean time, the war
with England continued to rage with unabated
fury. Both land and sea- the pride and arrogance
Of that naughty nation were chastised and humbled
by American bravery. Defeated in the north, and
repulsed on the sea-board, she determined TO make
one last desperate effort to obtain foothold the
southwestern coast. X
In January, 1915, 5000 Britons advanced to cap-
ture the city Of New Orleans. A drawer band never
rallied under the British banner. They came flushed
with victory the veterans Of France, and wear
ing the trophies Of many hard-fought field. Three
thousand western men, hastily collected, stood
ready to oppose them. The odds were fearful.
The disparity was alarming. But Jackson was COM
mander; and his spirit animated his gallant troops
with his own iron energy and invincible courage.
On the 9th Of January, 1875, they awaited the ap-
proach Of the enemy, as firm and mmovable as
their own ramparts. On came the British troops
within a few yards Of the American lines, when
suddenly the batteries and Western rifles poured
upon them one steady incessant, unbroken sheet Of
fire, which swept the front ranks before it, and
scattered death and dsmay amongst the advancing
columns. Rank after rank advanced, and fell un-
der the deadly FIRE. They repused and rallied,
and again repuaed; until at length disprited, detected
and defeated they fled in confusion from field cover
ed with their dead and dying countrymen. Three
thousand Britons fell in the action while, on the
American side, only thirteen were killed, and twcn-
ty-seven wounded History, ancient or modern,
furnishes no parallel to this engagement. Such
were the inequality Of force, and disparity Of loss
that the whole affair appears marvellous and incred-
ble; and the future American historian will be half
tempted to regard the account Of this action fab
ulous The battle of New Orleans offers an instruc-
tive lesson to England, and significant admonition
against unnecessary contests with America. In the
most disastrous campaigns Of her numerous wars,
Britain point to no field 30 dsgraceu to her arms
so Notifying her pride and hopelessy conclu-
sive of American superiority, as the battlefield Of New
Orleans. In 1917, General jackson was again cali
ed to act against the Seminoes, who were melted
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