The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-09-07
GEN. JACKSON AND JUDGE DOUGLAS.
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT.

( HIsl appearance I'D congress or several years
preceding, there had been a struggle over bill
proposing to refund to Gen. Jackson the fine OF
$1,000 imposed upon him by Judge Hall at
New Orleans, during the defence of tha. city
Some of the best minds in Congress had consld-
cred the question and it had been, as was
| thought, thoroughly discussed. The bill had
never become law. 1t was contended by the
old Hero's enemies that his declaration Of mar
tia law was violation Of the Constitution e.; his
friends whilst not denying this, excused it on the
ground of necessity. The friends of the bill
supported it as a measure of grai;ude-a boon
due by grateful country TO her patriotic and
successful defender. On this ground it was
mainly supported. On the 7th of January.
! Judge Douglas obtained the floor. He was then
his was a strange voice IN those halls. He dId
| not follow the beaten path IN his advocacy Of
! the bill. H. at once took high and strong
/ ground in defence OF Gen. Jackson's conduct.
He denied the legality fudge Halls judgment.
This position was bold one the speaker al
tracted attention and as he wal med with his
subject, he soon obtained the e ar of the house
His speech was a success. It established bis
character as lawyer and as a drbater. From
that time 10 the present day he has never been
compelled to address empty benches or an i'm
patient, lnaIentive audience. The bill passed
the House and subsequently the Senate. After
O. (, ri o. n ID ~.
Clay having been nominated for the Presidency
amonSter Democratic Convention was held al
Nashville, Tennessee, 10 which delegations and
distinguished men from all the western States,
were invited. A large delegation from ILL
nos, including MIR. Douglas, went to Nashville. I
The attendance was immense. TIE accounts
described 1t as 4 monster gathering forty acres
scarcely ablo 70 afford eiana:.,-, 90
the vast assemblage OF men and women. Some
OF the most brilliant orators OF the day were
there and Tor several days addressed the multi /
tude. Many had come from great distance, /
not only to attend the Convention, but also 10
See that great m1n, who had for so long period
and so prominently occupied the hearts Of his
countrymen. They could not leave, without
the long wished ior pleasure Of seeing Andrew
jackson. The moment the Speaking had closed
the immense throng turned their steps towards
the Hermitage. A witness says, - remember
we'll the appearance of the vast proc sssion-the
countless multitude, as it came Singing down
the road leading to the home Of Jackson.
As the people entered the avenue leading from
the high road, 10 The plain but CoPIGuS dwelling,
the old patriot, though feeble from ags, reused
himself ouCe more to receive the sincere and
unbought homage of his grateful and confding
countrymrn. He took seat on a sofa in large
ball opposite to the porch and entrance. The
multitude filled every standing point in front of
the mansion. AfecGonate friends surrounded
him the ;hrong asked but the privilege Of see
ing and taking him by the hand once more
They approached in files, shook hands with hun
and then passed on through the hall. Thou
sands passed thus before the old hero--at last
our friend Judge Douglas Of Illinois, approach
ed. remember well how pale he looked, and
how small and plain he seemed beside the hun
dreds of robust and gallant specimens Of Tennes-
see manhood. Governor Clement G. Clay, OF
Alabama, Senator OF the United States, had
been fCr some trne acting as the medium Of IN
PRODUCTION to Strangers The scene that ensued
was'one never TO be forgotten.
One of the Illinois delegation who accomPa
med Judge Douglas, was Wm. Walters, Esq.
editor OF the Illinois State Register, the most
influential as well as the ablest conducted paper
in the state. Mr.. walters was with Judge
Douglas, at the moment of his introduction TO
Gen. Jackson, and on his return to Springfield,
a few DAYS thereafter, he published the following
description Of what took place
"Everything that relates to Andrew Jackson,
the Hero of New Orleans and the friend OF his
country, is of deep interest to the American
people; and although the incident we are about
to relate is in itself OF no great interest, it be-
comes so to US, IN consequence o: those connec-
nected with it. At the Nashville Convention,
N August last, we visited the Hermitage, only
twelve miles distant, in company with Judge
Douglas and some others of our iellow-citizenS.
The Hermitag was crowded with people from
almost every State, who had beer invited thith-
er by the venerable patriot on the day succee-
ding the Convention. Gov. Clay Of Alabama,
was near General Jackson, who was himself
Lsitting on sofa in the hall, and as each person
catered, the Governor introduced hlm TO the he
ro and be passed along. When Judge Douglas
vas thus introduced, General Jackson raised his