Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-07-04

great battle was l0uSHt-d Da''ie ~
little more than half the numbers, 'ne n,,'e 49,
were victorious over more than i2ooo u wv
finest ,roops that ever appeared on our SHORES
,roops lh;, hid driven The warriors of France, me
conuuerors of continental Europe, from The Pr
lars OF Hercules 10 the Pyrenees. The l"ss OF
the side of The British was four generals ana ma
jor generals. 10 colonies, IA majors, 81 captains
80 TO 100 lieulenanls, and some or O,ouu men
killed, wounded and prisoners; while our losses
were few officers and $50 men, killed, WOUNDED
and missing
When we take into consideration The great ois
parity Of loss, and The inequality oforce III lne wv
armies; the difference in their discipline ana e3
perence; the hardships 10 which the enemy hao
been Infatuated in more than one quarter Vi .ie
2lobe-hardships which our troops hau lot lhe
first time 10 encounter and overcomei wen may
this baule be regarded as one OF The most extra
ordinary in ancient or modern times. In Inc lohs
and devastating annals Of The wars ha' uesold.eo
all Europe, the probability is, that there never u,
was a more signal victory; and that Such VIII DC
The opinion Of posterly lew, presume, doubt
Indeed in alier lines. il will BIZ cmbellished WIN
all the fclions of poetry and romance ana 'e
whom is this victory 10 be ascrlbeus
Spirits of the gallant Coffee and Carron, o.
Vi!leIy and Labalut, what say you! le o'avI
men Of the West who followed The footsteps, ahu
witnessed The sodlike bravery and de'o.ion o.
yonr illusrious chief, do not your hearts. o's WIN
mighty emotion, responsive say, II was Ah1fe"
Jackson! Yes, il was his mighty spIfi', anu .u !,
fruitful and varied resources OF his Sfea' llllnu
that did his work OF death and glory. II was III
his dauntless exposure, and individual proves
in the mitst and indeed in every Parl Oh 'ne oa'
tie, that We realize all that We read OF IN helo''
stories, OF the warrior streaming IKEA iheWo'
through the fight, and working wonders ~ M
presence AMI single arm. Ii is said OF HIM, aho
truly, thai Tor five nights and days he scarcely
slept, and When he did it was by snatcheS aho
in his clothes-lhat his horse stood always neal
him, and equipped, even when in council. \ nc
world has, and will continue 10 regard ms Vlclo,
~ As one OF those mas,er-strokes by when Srea
events are achieved and great characters stamped
as il were, BY single blow, and which bespeak
that rare combination of genius to CONCEIVE
prompiness TO decide, and bolness 10 execute; and
if we admire his presence OF mind and daunlleSs
vaor in the hour of danger and battle, we are
not less struck with his modesly and seli'com-
mand amid The flush of triumph. courageous
heart may, and will often carry man stoully
through the bale; but il argues some strong
quality OF the head, 10 drain unmixcd The lhloxi-
eating cup of Victory.
How slrikinsy was this illustrated in his SIM
Pile and concise letter, announcing the victory,
and in an answer TO one OF the numerous address
eS which were Presented 10 him in honor OF Inc
victory: III hope yon will believe that ieel all
that ! should iee on this occasion; Tor my couii
tryS gratitude is the best reward for all The sol,
diers tolls. To The defence OF New Orleans, |
was called by duly; and, in the performance OF II,
my best exerlions were used. But 10 Hsaren, ana
lie harcry ~ mn Mhiitis, We are indebted Tor The
victory. To Heaven, and them, let ii be award
ed"
Can there I've any thing more touching and
sublime? And surely, if there he an overriding
Providence, who directs the destiny of men and
nations this great man seems 10 have been des-
lined by Heaven 10 Tread the wine press. -Con-
quelors oi the mighty Napoleon, half Thy lauTels
shall deck our warriors tomb!
Those who wish 10 see how a country can de-
end itself without regular army, and what sort
OF Succor is 10 BIZ obtained when The hour OF peril
and trial comes; they, who wish to satisfy them
selves whether the bravery and patriotism OF Tree
men can preserve itself under the calami,ies OF
desolating war, should read the history Of our last
war with Great Britain, and especially The de-
fence Of New ORLEANS, and The lessons oi General
Jacksun's lie ani experience. Well may our
bShi fiNuuit WI ~ U.s.
character OF renowned warrior
Ills military services in Florida were also oi
an important character. He was engaged there
for some time in expelling the British and Sa-
wages, and Furnishing the perdy and insolence 81
The naughty Spaniari. He was afterwards made
Governor Of The Territory; secured by his energy
the rights of the Government and people; organ
lied Territorial Government and then resign
ed his appointments; and, in his letter oil resigna-
lion, with his characteristic lfankness and bold
ness, he expressed The nope, that Congress would
moi again invest any person with such large
powers. He was Subsequently offered the ap-
poinlmcnt OF Ministei 10 Mexico, which he re-
fused, and, amongst Cher reasons assigned Tor
refusing. was this that he would go 10 no Court,
whose chief officer was IN usurper
And now, icllow-cili1ens, passing from this
review OF the military services and character ol
General Jackson, we come 10 that equally i'm
portant, but more delicate part of his life, con-
necled with his civil administration of the Co
vern,nenl for period OF eight years.
In The Presidential con'es OF 81, his name 10!
The first time was presented TO The American peo-
pie BY the Legislature ol his own State and nu-
mcrous bottles Of his tellCw-ciiizens throughout
the Union, as fit person 10 fill the Presidential
chair. In that election, he was, however defeated
Nv TIE SOlt, UOt III ilt Vt'VlC, bdt ~ iipu'N VI
Representatives upon whom The choice was cas-
by the Constitution, under circumstances of pc
culiar interest and excitement. OF these J pro
pose Ia say nothing here. They are mol subjects
for this occasion. lie submitted, rs he should
have done, The decision al the constitutional au
thorics of his country, and his conduct wa
marked on that occasion with that propIiety ant
dignity SO characteristic Of him.
In the ensuing election he was again taken ~
by his friends, and then took place one Of The
most exciting and bitter contests known IN on
couniry's history To exhibit 10 you his charac
Ter, cannot do il heller or more strongly, Thar
10 present very briefly the grounds upon which
his claims were presented 10 the American people
for this high office. He was supported uron lh'
ground, that having been distinguished u not 10
great talents, vel for useful services IN all The q
vii offices, under The governments both OF Ten
nessce and the United States, Of councillor, lesis
lalor senator and judge, some OF which he ha'
filled more than once, and The duties oil which III
had discharged with ability and satisfaction |,
those he represented, he was qualihed Tor any oil
flee under our government. That u was no
probable that he could have been selected 10 81
high Offices, so various and responsible, wlthon
possessing distinguished talents for civil duties
or that he could have discharged them sallsiacto
lily, WITHOUT 'h'
this should satisfy his country that his mind wa
not exclusively OF military character, and lha
his election 10 The Presidency would not thercior
rest exclusively on his great military service.
That, like Washington, he had been citizen sol
dier, and like Washington, was qualified Tor his
civil command. That il wasl The command OF ar
mics and brilliant services, rendered BY both, lha
first endeared these great men 10 their country, ant
operated, doubtless, with both, in recommending
them 10 the Chair OF State. Thai, if neither ha'
been warriors, it is probable that neither woul'
have been distinguished siatesmen-Ihat Gene
raj Jackson was eminenly qualified by his or
CAPACITY for originating and directing measures
for governing men, for bringing order out OF con
insion, and, by that prudent judgment and lore
sight, securing the good which many 100 often at
tribute 10 fortune. That he was fitted Tor tn
Chief Magislracy Of such a country and people, b
all the qualities of his great mind and character
and BY all The habits Of his public and prIvat
life. That il would be vain 10 say, that ma
nur,ured in The bosom Of Freemen, every one o
whom Shy binhrishta politicians ccessivel
filling, by the choice of such people. high an
important offices in The Legislative Executive
and Judicial Departments of Government-wa'
Notwithstanding all his experience, and sue
Of nonfIicpPp InrOmDp