American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-07-02

from the foundation stone. 1t is interesting 10
/ contrast the result OF their iabors with the Con-
I stitutions OF the Atlantic States framed amidst
the din OF arms, with less advantages of study
and experience, and 10 see how, in the interval,
! mems minds had become employed III watch
the working of political machines. Through
out the entire Western Country, there is evil
denced Il familiarity with abstract principles
which our people, when they framed our CoH-
stituton, either old not possess, or could nor
carry out. For example, in our own Mary
land, prejudces were SO little controlled by the
natural principles OF justice and were so endu-
ring IN the public mind, that 1t was not until
comparatively recent Gay that the Hebrew was
allowed to mingle with his fellow citizens upon
terms ofpertect equality. The union Of Church
and State had been perfect for hall CEN
fury before the Revolution that the builders
were afraid entirely to remoTe that pillar OF the
old edfce, but conLented themselves with
throwing open the avenue TO office TO all Chris
tians OF every denomination. But in the West,
there were no Old pillars to be removed. Their
statesmen lnlObeG together the healthy air OF
the forest and the pure principles Of liberty, as
they trod the painless wood. Ia their own free
hearts they found the latent feelings which car
ried them straight forward in the path O. bull
I ding up their social Institutions. Hence II IS
/ that we find in the character OF Andrew Jack
son, as well us in many other Statesmen OF the
! West, a vigor and boldness ui thought, lmciin-
/ ing him habtualy to look 10 the fundamental
| principles Of the social compact. 1t is emf
nently true of all Americans that they deal
practically and iamiliarly with abstract princi-
pies which European philosophers can do little
more than mediate upon IN the recesses OF
their closets. But it is, perhaps, more eminent
| ly true of Western Statesmen who have seen
society grow up from the germ, traced 1t thro'
al Its gradations until the healthy part has shot
forth both luxuriant flowers and fruits. The
hut in the primitive forest was the seed; Re
publican Government, the fruit. These men
are accustomed TO aim at what is particularly
useful. In the character of Jackson this was
a leading trait. NO artificial rehnements CO.
scured his clear perception of what was proper
to be done, but his natural sagacity earned
him at once to those conclusions which other
men work out by long process OF reasoning.
HIS military career strlkingly illustrates this.
When the British troops landed near New Or
leans, it is probable the incest calculation OF
strategy would have dictated an attack upon
them on the 23d of December, but less firm
heart would have hesitated before making
night attack upon disciplined troops with some
regulars, but the greater part, militia No one
can read the history OF that period without be-
ing convinced that the safety OF New Orleans
was owing TO this mastery and decisive move
ment. 1t taught caution to his enemy and
gained time for himself But it required the
highest order of genius to resolve upon it, and
the strongest courage to execute it.
| And yet SO little sensible was he of the haZ-
ard of defeat in this perilous, but necessary ad-
venture, that he coolly wrote to the Secretary,
three days afterwards--"as the safety of the
city will depend upon this army, it must not be
incauiously removed" The battle of the sth
of January must forever stand in military his
tory as wonder. We'll do remember the uni
versal impression which prevailed in our city
when the tdngs Of it first reached us, thatsome
strange error had crept into the account with
respect to the disparity of loss on both Sides
And even now it is subject of astonshment.
These were the same British troops who had
stormed Bada JOS and St Sebastian's, making
their way over tosses filled with the dead, over
piles of loose stones through what they call
ed a practicable breach of the rampant and
in the face Of disciplined foe. And vet few
cotton bales and slight ditch was found TO be
an impossible barrier. What was the cause?-
1t was the cool head, the steady arm, the prac-
tised eye of the marksmen of the woods, hose
aim was unerring, and who had caught some OF
the indomitable spirit of their gallant leader,
You, my felow-citzens, those Of you who
were old enough to participate in the events Of
the day, felt an intense and peculiar interest N
this brilliant achievement. At least four of the
regiments on the side of the invaders were the
same which you had yourselves met few short
months before, and who, retiring from your ci-
ty in sullen spirit Of vengeance, had been re-
cruting their strength for more desperate as
sault upon what they thought to be more de-
coincidence
that with all these unusual causes of deep anx-
iety for the fate Of New Orleans, together with
the vivid recollection OF the exciting scenes ex-
hibited in an invaded city, it was at Baltimore
that the news of peace, coming from the North,
and of victory coming from the South, met
each other; and the splendid illumination of
the city on the 18th of February was practi-
cal demonstration that the war mad closed in a
blaze of glory. But who can speak of the Sth
of January, 1915, with any hope of suiting his
language to the swelling theme? 1t has long
since taken its place amongst the very few in
the American Calendar, worthy Of a national
celebration. We have but four-the 22d CT
February: the 4th of July, the 18th of Sep
TENDER and the sth of January. The are
now consecrated by the universal voice, and he
who can add fifth to the llustrious roll, will
stamp his own name also for ever upon the re-
cord of his country's fame.
The repulse of the British from New Or
leans has always, in my view, assumed add
tional Importance from an opinion which |
have entertained, and do not see why should
torbear to express. 1t lis, that in case of con-
quest, the British Government did not intend
to surrender the city under the first article OF
the Treaty of Client, providing for mutual
restoration of captured places but the ready
piancy of the Government of Spain would
have easily been persuaded 10 lnterpose pro-
test and set up claim founded upon COM
pulsory cession of Louisiana to France Ihe
reasons for this opinion it Is not necessary TO
state Rrt u NAV nat be aniss to refer to an