The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-02

never having even attempted before 10 address
sembage OF persons. and knowing that need both fu
ency and confidence 10 enable 10 do and be un-
derslood have thought best 10 make copous notes OF
what desire 10 say and, u eanno. speak H. 70 read y
ago that had been unanimously elected president OF this
association i soemnly declare TO you that this honor
not expected by was not only elected without
any solicitation my part. but without my knowledge
OF consent did not even know thai the ASSOCIATION IN
tended TO the night elected. much less that
II intended TO elect president The announcement 10
the newspapers the next day that had been elected
greatly surprised me- bat frankly confess it did not tor
the moment make me think any more oil myself But a
little reflection, taking into consideration that had just
been discarded by the President OF the United States who
had lately been elected by the democratic party led me
TO believe that my election as president OF the Demo
cratic Association was the highest honor con-
feued upon me, and honor Of which any should
be proud These considerations induced me to accept
the office. and then determined to prepare myself as
we'll as could TO make suitable acknowledgment
when should take my seat From that time to this, bus
nev has prevented Inc from preparing myself TO appear
before YOU Now The association is called together for
the purpose OF making suitable arrangements for com
memoratng the death Of Andrew Jackson, to whom am
indebted Tor most OF the property possess and feel my
self bound to appear before it., ,anPrepared as am
would have taken back SEAL il had not felt thai
my size would point out, and that would be called
upon take the chair, which would have embarrassed
me more than taking it at once, as have done
1t has not only been my fortune TO have been patron
ICED by Andrew Jackson but it has been also my good
luck know about his writings and dongs during
the las, thirteen years than those and most
who, above all others, took responsibility in peace or
in war, that that word brings to the minds of the people
OF this country bis almost certainly the letters
which spell it, But is not well known that he made
others take it in times OF profound peace know il well
He made me take il, and that made me know him so
well The occasion for making take it was, his
nua message got from the Offices of the National In
eHgeneer and the United States Telegraph before
sent to Congress. soon after came INFO the Globe office
wards. long he President, he gave all his
sages to me TO have printed with the admonition,
will hold you responsible. sir, If that message gets out
before Congress is ready receive it. Don't let any per-
son--no OF my cabinet oficershave copy OF
it before send it TO Congress"
The printer prints from the rough draught of the Pesi
message and often gets part OF the copy before the
message is completed invariably went alter the copy.
and took the proofs back to the President myself which
gave me an opportunity Of knowing all about who wrote
and who consulted about them 1t has been said
and is doubt believed by many, that General Jackson
did not write his messages Neither he any other
President ever wrote those parts OF their messages which
showed the condition OF the several departments They
written by the heads Of the departments respectively
Nearly the whole OF the balance Of Gen Jackson's
sages was in his handwriting The proclamation which
intended to carry out his memorable toast" The
Union must be preserved'-whch was uttered as a
buke 10 utilization, when it first showed its 'front.' at the
celebration OF M Jfsons in Washington
MIR Blair, who saw the original paper has frequently
told his friends that he thought better than the finished
principles advanced in the latter 1t was Gen Jacksons
nvariable practice TO put down in writing every official
paper which he submitted the public. He was how
ever. always willing admit suggestions and permit al
teralions where he thought them improvements
will relate an anecd0te, or incident, which will lead
to correct conclusion as 10 who wrote General Jack
sons messages and Also who attended to them after they
were written.
| When 1 went after the annual message which de-
manded Of the French king Louis Philippe) the in
demnty due citizens of the United States by the French
government. found Major A. J. Donelson, then Gen.
private secretary and clerk belonging 10 the
10 be sent 10 both branches Of tonsress with he foSsh
draugh General jackson walking the floor some
twenty OF thirty feet from them, smoking his ppe paying
read that part OF the message which pressed the demand
in the strongest terms, General Jackson said Done
son stop there; that is not wrote it," Major
Donelson REPLIED "General. the cabinet had meeting,
and agreed 10 soften this hle !" and he then attempted
TO read on evidently very much aglated Gen. Jackson
again said to his Donelson stop there; that
| wrote It," Major Doneson made stammering reply
saying "Geneal the cabinet had meeting, and agreed
to soften this little lcanno alter in time for Congress-
and Mr. Rives s here waiting for the and il he
does not yet shortly, he cannot have printed in tme
and proceeded TO samner reading It, General Jack
son then stamped his foot the floor, and said loud
voice, say, stop and put that as | wrote it. don't
for the cabinet for Mr. Rves and Congress wait
ing II shall be as wrote it." Major Doneson then
opened his table drawer, and took from the slip which
ne had cut from the message and inserted il in the place
OF the alteration made by the cabinet have both the
original and the alteration, believe filed away, but
with so many other papers that cannot find them con-
yeaienty. Many predicted the time that the supposed
aroni contained in the message would cause France to
declare war against the United States So far from IL, 1t
caused the msney TO be paid and Louis Philippe, then
and now King OF France, now thinks 30 highly OF Gen.
Jackson that he lately sent an eminent ast Mr. Heay)
10 the Hermitage TO take his Likeness for him; the like
completed only few days before the generals
death. and is said 10 be the best ever taken.
could go and relate numerous incidents, all worthy
OF his General Jacksons) history, ii well told; but
will only relate other 10 prove how much both Mr.
Rair and myself are indebted TO him.
One of the officers Of the late Bank Of the United States
offered TO pay 10 Mr. Blair soon alter he came here, what
he would charge for publishing in the Globe some
report prepared by the president OF that institution MIR
Blair refused any compensation for publishing the official
paper. IL was, however, inserted in the Globe public
document, and the officer of the bank given 10 un.
dersand writing, that pecunary gaiuiy would ever
be received from the institution On another OCCASION a
friend OF the bank-slnce famous of its ins,Tu-
mentslet with member of General Jack sons cabinet
check for considerable sum, TO be given Mr. Blair
merely expression OF the respect he for
his Abors editor, and 10 assist them. This check
was rendered 10 MIR Blair by the member the cabinet
and refused with expression which the latter some
modification. Mr. Blair continued his attacks on the
bank the consequence Of which was seen some time at
forwards in the conduct of portion Of the cabinet To-
wards him. Tie was approached by them, through the
medium OF personal friend, and told that his course in
the Globe gave much dissatisfaction TO portion OF the
cabinet that IT, would keep the administration in mi
Monty in Congress, although majority Of members might
be elected Jackson men, and render the Presidents la
bos Tor the good Of the country Intellectual and desired
that he tMr. b should renquish 10 friend in whom
he had confidence his editorial position, and take office
Mr. Blair declined the office, but promptly said he would
give up his place II General Jackson wished it, He went
to General Jackson, and stated him what bad occurred
~.