Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-01-14
ANDREW JACKSON.

/ -
splendid trnmphs unequalled in the history OF any
man, save one, of his generation. He achieved them
not by the force of accidentbut because OF the pow
or within him. 1t is idle to discuss the ability or
the merits of man, who, in different and these the
highest departments of human enterprise succeeds,
not in one department, or as to one measure putin
all departments and in all things throughout long
succession of years and of struggles, against the
greatest and most various opposition. Such sue cess
es do not by chance. HBut if we will not take
this general conclusion, let us look to particulars.
! What did he accomplish? He rails, d himself, in
profession the least suited to his genius, of all Others
at time of life when of real merit are only pre-
pairing themselves for local distinction to the ofces
Of Attorney General and OF Judge, and when the
scene changed from peace to he rose at once to
the post of General, and, in few months, won the
most brilliant and the brightest laures OF
the war; and placed himself side by side wit h the
great captains Of the world He took his seat i'll the
Senate ofthe United States he soon the strong
est candidate before the people for President bear
ing the palm from the veteran politicians and esab
lished statesmen of the country. Defeated IN the
house by politicians, he turned defeat into victory,
and established upon 1t sure and lasting ascenden-
dency He was lifted by the strongest tide OF per-
sona popularity to the first office OF his country and
held power against opposition more powerful than
ever before assailed an administration. But he did
much more than this; he impressed his name and
character upon the country moro deeply than any
man the father Of his country only excepted, ever
did before or after him. He gave a fresh and
awakening influence to the popular mlnd-tauSht
effectively than Jefferson the masses their pow
started the government and the people onward in a
new and more impusive He opened new
era in American politics, with new measures, new
ideas, and new politicians. He founded party more
perfect in its organization, more lasting i'll its dura
ton than any before eStabllshed-SivnS its own line
of statesmen and its ofpolcy to the coun-
try; party FROM viii Oh was to rise stronger nu-
upon the world and the indefinite increase OF the
wealth. territory and population of the republic. He
consolidated the strength and energies of the govern
mcnt made it formidable, feared and respected by
foreign powers; insomuch that he addressed the
head of the second power of Europe with the impc-
rouS tone of rich creditor pursuing Dllking bank
rupt, and forced him to settlement of claim upon
open threat OF chastisement. He found con-
fcderacy-and left empire. He altered the mon
etary system O: government-struch down the Bank
of the United Statcs-raiscd up and sustained the
State Banks, and finally blew them up many
torpcdoeS; and for time, nearly abolished the whole
credit system of great trading people. He struck
down the doctrines of States Rights in their sane
tons and substance, and in their stronghods, and
with them the flower of the disciples of that school
to whom he had owed his elevation, i'll great part;
and established national doctrines and ideas which
placed the government on the basis vainly before
contendcd for by Washington and Marshall. He
subdued the Senate. He placed his rejected minis
ter at its head it rcbuked his course. He made it
draw black lines around its records; and he raised
another if not two presidents to rule after he had
withdrawn from office and continued after his
rcmcnt and to the close of his life, the ruling spirit
of his own party This he did without the aid of the
politicians--he needed conduit between himself |
and the people. He operated directly upon the pub
lie mind indeed the most popular of his followers |
held his popularity on the tenure of his will and as
a reflection of his chiefs; dcserton of him and his |
cause was popular osacism. If he were powerful |
enough to raise up whom he chose-hc power
full enough to put down whom he chose. His name
and his influence were as pervasive as the atmos-
phere it fixed the selection and promotion of the
cabinet minister, of the President-anl also
that of the lowest official of obscure municipality.
Mr. Calhoun sitting upon the comfortable
perch of the Vice Presidency, thinking harm
evidently quite content with the prospect before
him. 1t seemingly good time for him. His
foible not supposed to be criminal Indifference,
much less unconquerablc aversion to the high
posts of the public service. He young-just
reaching the meridian glory of faculties equal the
discharge of any civic duty to which he could be
called he had already won the highest distinction
and he had won it without calling into service half
of the talent he possessed. jackson was in the hey
day of a popularity such man of his country, |
its father and founder only excepted, had heidi
and he was Jackson's lieutenant; and vet so unex-
had he borne himself that, though idcn-
titled with the administration and its early supporter
he had given no offence to the opposition; indeed he
had upon its ticket, too, for Vice President
States Rights doctrines in the ascendant, and
the executive countenancc shone kindly upon them
and their supporters The long sighted politicians
had began to look upon him and fawn around him
as the successor; Clay under the ban the IN an
OF Brantree, like greater, was his ocean rack;
Crawford was paraytc. Who and what stood be-
tween him and Dwights prediction, rather the
gazing through the bow-window of the Capitol up
towards that building at the other end of the avenue,
and bethnking him that only few more years,
With all the accidents which might shorten that pc
Rod in his favour, stood between him and the gold
en- gucrdon for which many hearts were feverng.
Jackson's angry stamp disturbed the reverie, and
with that stamp the platform fell beneath him, and
he dropped down a thousand feet into the political
house below! Where the lcgionS of
friends with whom his slightest utterance the
definition of proycrb-" the condensed wisdom of
| nation ~
He counted them at break off day,
But when the sun set, where were they?
Who offended jackson was doomed. Like NIGH
Y Nimrod, he threw his arat from the Capitol, and
hrotted and broke down to death or submission
he most powerful senators even at the remotest
corner of the republic Talent and genius, and
earning, and cloquence, and craftsmanship cor
Toned themselves around him in strenuous warfare;
,ut his single arm like Murat's the Mount of
TRANSFORMATIONS rolled back the brilliant charge and
eft him still unhurt-not a feather OF his plume
way-in possession of the heights of power.
And, finally, according to Thomas Marshall, when
lie was about quitting the world, he turned Presby
erian and tramped Satan under foot the last, and,
,erhaps the greatest of his victories.
1t may we'll be doubted if the records of ancient
r. of modern times transmit exhibit to name
nore distinguished for sublime and unfatcrng cour
&C than that of Andrew jackson He never seemed
rise to- but ever stand level WITH its lottiest
xigcnces. There nothing in the shape of
anger or responsibility which he feared to brave
lot to meet merely bat to go in quest of-not to
ndurc, but to defy and ia master. He was chary