Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-01-16

towards the accomplishment of object they have
always had at heart; namely, abridgement Of the
right of suffrage. Every human institution has its
imperections; but tie right of universal suffrage, is
assurcdy, the best and most valuable security OF lib
eriy. 1t may, sometimes, be exercised unwisely. ig
noranty, or corruptly but upon the whole, we have
found, frcm practical experience, thatthe evils result
ing from its establishment Bear Comparison to the
benefits But suppose we attempt to abridge this right
for such reasons, where shall we draw the line II
ignorance is good cause for exclusion In instance
it is in another; and the principle Immediately leads
the doctrines of the old fsderalsts, who always
contendel that all the iaborng classes unfit
enjoy this right.
But do not intend to enter into an examination of
this question Nov that tie great battle of the late
year IS over shall not upon tie present occasion,
dwell, at length upon the elements wic entered into
the contes,. This day has, by long usage and the
common consent of the party TO which we belong,
been appropriated to a mixed purpose. That lllustr-
chief, who the prominent actor in those great
events, which rendered. it glorious in the annals of
our country, became in after life SO identified with The
principles upon which political organization Is ba-
sed that have deemed the most appropriate mode
of manifesting regard for his character and
vices, TO make this anniversary Conducive far as
properly may, to the Advancement of those great
political truths, which he so honorabiy sustained IN CT
WI life, and which sincerely believe to be essen
tial to the preservation of our lSerties. We may
the details of party argument; and at this time, 1t
VIII be peculiarly gratifying to repair to the quiet
shades OF the Hermitage, and contemplate the charac
ter and career of that remarkable man, whose is
SO nSeparably connected with the glory of this day.
There, in body fral with age and infrmity, and in
calm and christian patience awaiting the Of
his God, III dwellS the mighty mind Of one who IS
deeply fixed In the hearts of his countrymen. Now
that the acerbity of party strife has, in mea-
sure passed away, may say without danger Of con-
tradiction, that heart more purely devoted to It's
countrys welfare, never beat in human bosom, than
the heart Of that venerable / am the time
is fast approaching, when no man who values the es
TEEN of his feowcizens, viii venture to say aught
against the name and fame of Andrew Jackson.
Locking Back upon the history of our country for
the last thirty years, through tose misty shadows
which Time casts upon all human actions, perceive
the well known features of that now aged chief, g-
urng, in bold and prominent relief, in all those
which we regard as important and eyentful Did the
whoop startle the lonely settler upon southern
frontier, and the distracted mother clasping her treu-
bling children IN her arms fly from the burning brand
and cleaning knife of the infuriated savage Ito
whom did they look for safety and for succor! 1t was
to him-that brave and energetic Then, at the
signal of alarm issuing from tie quiet retreats of the
hermitage, he appears upon the scene-he horrors OF
savage warfare pass away-the painted warriors of
the Wilderness repealed by his vigorous arm, fly to
their distant coverts and peace and security assume
But how shall attempt to paint that scene, one Of
the brightest in the annals of country, from which
originated the observance Of this anniversary. 1t is
superuous In this day. in this age TO repeat to my
countrymen, the story of the great victory of New
Orleans; or to tell them who was the master spirit OF
that noble army, that met and vanquished the proud
hosts of Britain on the banks of the Mississippi. Al
most every neghborhood in this State has its repre-
senativeS-there some here to-day, who were pre-
sent on that glorious OCCASION and who can repeat
the particulars, more faithfully, and vyidly than
could do.
But we cannot pass over an occasion like the pre-
sent, without alludng at least, to that great victory
would not indeed, omit a passing tribute, however
inadequate it may appear in my feeble language, tc
all those brave men, who in that hour of imminent
danger, so signally manifested their patriotism ant
devotion TO their country. The young West, was
then engaged in arduous struggle for efpresery
atlon The war bore heavily upon Its people on eve
~ hand. Unceasng demands were made upon then
bravery and patriotism. Gloom, and dependency
seemed to have settled upon the whole Union
and while the British lion was ravaging th'
East consigning our capitol to the flames, and plum
derng towns and cities, the tomahawk and scalp
/ ing knife of the Indian savage, was red with tht
blood of the inhabitants of the western frontier II
the midst of all the troubles consequent upon thes;
disastrous times, came the news of the invasion O
Louisiana. Soon the alarm was spread, the brave
people of the West, forgetting their own difficulties
and Dangers assembled from every quarter, prepare
for the defence of that distant State Fifteen hundret
miles, down the Mississippi and its tributaries, the,
patiently wendell their way, TO risk their health ant
lives, for the preservation Of the emporium Of tht
South.
Meanwhile, British feet had appeared in the Gul
of Mexico. freighted with the chivalry of England
Napoleon had fallen at last, before the combined ar
mics of Europe, and the conquerors of Spain, vete
rams in war; and flushed with recent victory over tn
,tfcf 4f,1
the expectation of enjoying rrere expedition o
pleasure after the hardships they had recently en-
4 countered Far the eve could reach, the whit
sails Of their ships dotted over the surface of In
ocean, and the wassa song and merry jest resounde
from the exhilarated groups upon their decks. All
little did those brave men dream when the long wish
ed for land appeared upon the horizon and they con
tcmPated with Joyous spirits the long low lire of
southern coast, of the reception that there awaite
them. Little did they know Of the valor and patriot
ism that animated the bososns of who fought 70
the defence of their own soil, or of that of ro
NERVE and lion heart whom Providence had reared u
to save his country IN that emergency. Little di
they imagine, when the bright waves Of the Gul
sparkled in the genial beams of southern sun,
seemed to reflect in their dancing waters, the bright
ness ard gaiety of their own spirits, that so man
hundreds Of that proud array would in few days Ii
down upon the field of New Orleans, not in the arm
of beauty, but in the cold embrace of Death.
But need not recur to the partiulars Of the grea
battle Of the 9Th of January 1915, or to its results
They are too indehby impressed upon the minds Q
the present generation TO require any recaptuation
May they ever be remembered with gratitude an
honor to those brave who participated in the go
rious victory of that memorable day.
But however brilliant has been the military caree
of Andrew Jackson, his evil services have not bee
less brilliant and important. Although perhaps til
time has not yet arrived when full justice be don
to bis character, do not think it will be out Of plac
on this occasion, to pass in br ef review, of tn
lmoSt rpuarya ha pvonfe Of IL relitical life TT,