Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-07-18

his appearance IN New orleans. ms Plo9cheo
dissipated gloom and dispelled alarm; at once
he changed the aspect of despair into confl-
dence of security, and hope Of acquiring glo-
nv. Every man knows the tale of the heroic,
sudden, and yet deliberate daring, which led
him, on the night of the twenty-third OF De-
cember, to pTecipitate his little army on the
foes, in the thick darkness, before they grew
familiar with their encampment, scattering
dismay through veteran regiments OF England, !
and defeating them, and arrestlng their pro-
gress by far inferior force.
Who shall recount the Counsels Of prudence,
the kind lingwords of eloqnence, that pushed
from his lips to cheer his soldiers, his Skin
mishes and battles, till that eventual ynorning,
when the day at BunkeG's Hill had its fulfil
rnent in the glorious battle Of New Orleans,
and American independence. stood before the
world in the majesty of victorious power.
These were great deeds for the nation: for
himself he did greater. Had not Jackson
been renowned for the vehement mpetuOsity
of his passions, for has defiance of others au-
thorsty, and the unoending vigor of his self
will? Behold the savior of Louisiana, all
garlanded With victory, viewing around him
the city re had preserved, the maldens and
children whom his heroism had protected,
stapd in the presence Of petty Judge, who
gratifes his wounded vanity by an abnse Of
his judicial power. Every breast in the crow
ded audience heaves with indignation. He,
abe passionate, the impetuous--he whose
power was to be humbled, whose honor ques-
toned, whose laurels furnished, alone stood
sublimely serene; and when the craven Judge
trelnbled, and faltered, and dared not proceed,
himself, the arraigned one, babe him toke
courage, and stood by the law even in the mo-
ment when the law was made the instrument
of insult and wrong on hmSelf-at the no
ment Of his most perfect claim to the highest
civic honors.
His country, when it grew to hold many
more millions, the generation that then was
coming in, has risen up to do homage to the
noble heroism Of that hour. Woman, whose
feeling is always right. did honor from the
FIRST to the purity Of his heroSm. The pep
pie of Louisiana, to the latest hour, will cher
ish his name as their greatest beneiactor.
The culture of Jackson's mind bad been
much promoted by his services and associa-
lions in the war. His discipline Of himself
as the chief in command, his intimate rea-
lions with men Ike Livingston, the wonder
full deeds in which he bore part, all matured
his Judgment and n1elowed his character.
Peace came with its delights; once more
the country rushed forward in the develop
dustrv healed the wounds that war had inn;c-
ted and, from commerce aud agriculture and
manufactures, wealth gushed abundanty, I'M
der the free activity Of unrestrained enterprise.
And Jackson returned 20 his own fields, and
his own pursuits, to cherish his plantation, to
care for bis servants, TO look after bis stud, 10
enjoy the affections Of the most kind and de-
voted wife, whom he respected with the gen
Elest Difference, and loved with an almost mi
Iaculous tenderness.
And there he stood, like one Of the mighti-
est foresttrees of his own West, vigorous ami
colossal, sending its summit to the skies, and
growing on it's native soil in Wild and mimi
table magnidcenee, careless Of beholders.-
From all parts of the country he received ap-
peaIs to his political ambition, and the severe
modesty of his well-balanced mind turned them
all aside. He was happy in his farm, happy
in secIuslon, happy in his family, happy with
in himself.
But the passions of the southern Indians
were not aI!ayed by the peace with Great Brl-
tain; and foreign emissarles were still among
them, to inhama and direct their maIignity.-
Jackson was called forth by his country to re-
strain the cruelty of the treacherous and IN
spariny Seminoles. 1t was in the train of the
events Of this war that he placed The Amerl
can eagle on ST. Marks, and above the an
cent towers of St. Augustine. His deeds il
that war, Of themselves, form monument Il
human power, to the celebrity of his genius. Il
the creative fertility Of his resources, his lntu
Tive sagacity. AS Spain, In his Judgment
had committed aggression, he would haV
emancipated her islands; OF the Havana, h
caused the reconnaissance to be made; ard
with an army Of five thousand men, he stoot
ready to guaranty her redemption from colo
NAL thraldom.
But when peace was restored, and his Office
was accomplished, his physical strength SUM-
under the pestlential influence of the climate
and, fast Welding to disease, he was borne II
litter across the s~amps OF FLORIDA toward
his home. 1t was Jackson character that h
never solicited aid from any one; but ne neFe
forgot those who rendered him service IN VI
hour of need. At time when all around m
believed him near his end, his wife hastene
tofis side; and, by her tenderness and nursing
care, her patient assiduty, and the soothing
influence Of devoted love, withheld him ftou
the grave.
He would have remained quietly at hi
home in repose, but that he was privately If
formed his good name was TO he attalnted b
some intended Congressional proceedings; h
came, therefore, into the presence of the pee
pies representatives at Washington, only t
vindicate his name; and, when that was .
chieved, he was once more cOmmuning wit
his own thoughts among the groves Of tn
Hermitage.
1t was not his own ambition which brougt
him again to the public view. The atfectio
of Tennessee compelled him to resume sea
on the floor of the American Senate and, afte
years of the intensest political strife, AndreN
Jackson was elected President Of the Unite
State.
Far from advancing his own pretension:
he always kept them back, and had for year
repressed the solicitations of his friends to be
f.I4