Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-01-26
THE JACKSON Observation-Disclosures OF Nh.
CHURCHWFIr.

Inc lOloWlfS reihafkS Oh MT OhCRCHHELLi at
the Jackson banquet in Washington City, on the
9th inst, will be read with interest By his many
friends throughout the State Want of sufficient
space only has prevented :heir appearance in our
columns at an earlier day.
Among the toasts offered at the Banquet, was
the following by Mr.. BREckESRlDGE, of Kentucky:
"TESNEssEE The home of JACKSON and Polk
name ever dear to the American Democracy.
After the reading of this toast, Mr.. CHURcnwELL
was loudly called for, and made the following hap
Ply response
In rising, Mr. President, to respond to the sentl-
uent which has Just been announced, cannothope
to entertain an audience which is yet enjoying the
pleasant sensations produced by the Impressive clio
quence of my distinguished friends from South
Carolina and Kentucky, [Messls. Orr and Brecken
ridge Ny apology for venturing to respond at
all Is found in the fact that have the honor to
present the gallant State whose name has been so
honoraby mentioned and so enthusiastically cheer
ed-the State which was the home of Jackson and
Polk and whose soil entombs their NOR tai remains.
The one native OF South Carolina, and the other
of North Carolina, they emigrated early to the far
West and constituted portion Of that brave band
of pioneers whose deeds of heroic daring have made
the name Of Tennessee Synonymous with bravery
and chivalry They were devoted friends, and
lived and died the noble champions of democracy
The principles of government which they advocat-
ed and illustrated have shed halo of glory around
the American name, whilst they have embalmed
their own names in the hearts Of all true patriots.
The principles of Jackson and Polk are the prncl-
Piles of the democratic party. They the princi-
Piles of Frankin Pierce, who has given the highest
assurance in his past conduct that they Will be
faithfully maintained
The brilliant administration of James X. Polk,
which added much to the renown of the republic,
was only an extension and amplfcation of the prin
ciples of Jackson The Lone Star Pickering in the
Southwest was given q place, and new life given to
her glare while the results of his wise policy added
California and New Mexico which now yield an
abun liant harvest of the richest fruits of all earths
productions. The gold Of California is part
of the wealth of America While we may thank
Mr. Polk for this treasure, cannot forget the Old
Hero of San Jacin.o, who stalked into the Union
with an empire upon his shoulders Good son to
his mother he made the TENDER it was accepted, and
republic was added to the Union.
There are in the cl a acter and history of few men
so many thrilling inc d nts of heroic daring as in
that of Houston. Texas owes him much, while the
United States has not settled the account with him.
Few men are able in the course Of Lifetime, or
disposed, to surrender the presidency of republic
and see it merged in another government Re-
markable man
But Mr. President, we have assembled around the
| festive board to commemorate one of those great
| events in American history which loom up in the
pathway of nations and shed radiance on her bright
est pages. As military achievement, the victory
| of New Orleans has crowned the name of Andrew
Jackson with imperishable fame. By the skill dis.
played in defending successfully that city that was
believed to be doomed, he taught the veterans Of
Europe that in her infancy our county could not be
polluted by the tread of invading foe with i'm
punity. Now that we have attained TO manhood,
and are animated throughout the thirty millions OF
our population with the spirit of Jackson and his
brave comrades at New Orleans, what foreign foe
will be reckless enough ever to think Of invading
our soil Since the 9Th of January, 1915, the in
vincibity of our brave countrymen lighting in de-
fence of their fresides and family affairs has been
fixed fact in the estimation of the world
The victory of New Orleans, Mr.. President, de-
veloped the high attributes of Andrew jackson as
military commander-it won for him the glorious
title of the Hero of New Orleans And it was not
title created by vote of Congress- but by the
spontaneous and united vote Of his countrymen.
But sir, whilst the battle OF the Eighth of January
operated as a permanent confirmation Of our ma
tional independence, it brought conspicuousy be-
fore the country man whose genius as states
man was destined to impress itself prominently
upon its future history. If Gen. jackson owed
his elevation to the presidency TO his victory at New
Orleans he proved by his administration of that
high trust that the glory of his military achieve
ments could be eclipsed by that Of his civil tri-
umphs. 1t is not more the battle fought on the
Sth Of January that we have assembled to COM
memorate than the battles of principle which An
drew Jackson, at the head of the democratic party
fought during his presidential term His triumph
over the veterans of Great Britain on the plains of
New Orleans was great, but his triumph over the
power of the United States Bank was greateri 1t
was his fortune to be required to meet great emer
gencies and Nature had endowed him with those
high moral and intellectual attributes which enabled
hhm to meet them trumphantlv. Bold, fearless,
and energetic, he reached his conclusions as by in
tution and he acted without faltering to conse-
quences upon his own convictions He dreaded no
personal responsibility in the discharge Of his off
cial duties and he looked with faith that never
wavered to the approval of the popular judgment.
No man ever cherished more unbounded conf
dence in the integrity, the intelligence, and the
justice Of the people. In the midst OF the storm
of faction which threatened, again and again, to
overwhelTn him. his faith in the ultimate approval
of his countrymen was mistaken. His democracy
manifested itself in maintaining the rights of the
people against every aggression, whether 1t came
in the shape of invading army in that of
moneyed monopoly. His boldness and firInness
have sometimes been characterized as recklessness
ard rashness but those who characterize his acts
show how impertectly they know the man. his
mind seized upon the strong points in a question:
and hence his conclusions Were rapid having
all the appearance Of intuition. He listened
as kindly and patiently any man to the
counsel of his friends; but when lis mind was
made up he placed his trust in prompt firm and
energetic action. The high and noble moral attri-
butes which signalized his civil as well as his mill
tary career have fastened themselves on the popular
mind and now, to be regarded like Jackson, a
President must be prompt in deciding, and firm,
resolute, and energetic in executing-he must make
democratic principles the paramount object-and
he must rely with answering confidence upon the
judgment and justice Of the people These noble
traits in the character of Andrew Jackson had no
warmer admirer than Franklin Pierce, and he will
dsappoint the expectations Of his friends if he fails
to display the same high attributes in his admins
tration of the government.
If affords me much pleasure, Mr. President, to
express my qualification at the results ofthe policy
both foreign and domestic, which have already
crowned the administration of President Pierce
with distinguished honor. These results at home
and abroad indicate clearly that there is helms
man the ship of State of the true Jackson stamp
His promptness and frmness in approving and |
sustaining the gallant conduct Of Captain Ingraham
have made an impression on The Old World which |
has revived the feelings which were produced when |
General jackson proclaimed his determination to |
ask nothing that was not right and to submit to |
nothing wrong. Such exhibition Of American