The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1860-08-09
From the Reading Gazette ard Democrat.
Judge Douglas and Andrew Jackson
AN INTERESTING INCIDENT.

made his bISt appearance III congress
For several years preceding there had
been struggle over a bill proposing TO
refund to General Jackson the fine OF one
thousand dollars. imposed upon him by
Judge Hail, Of New Orleans. during the
defence of that city. Some of the best
minds in Congress had considered the
question. and il had been. as was thought.
thoroughly discussed. The bin had pew
er become law. 1t was contended BY
/ the old hero's enemies that his declaration
Of martial law was violation of the Con
stitution His friends, yhie not denying
this, excused it on the ground of necessi-
ty. The friends of the bill supported il
as a measure OF graiilude--a boon due by
grateful country to her patriotic and sue
eessful defender On his ground it was
mainly supported. On the 7th of Janu
ary Judge Douglas obtained the floor.
lie was then unknown 10 CoGeress;' his
was new face and strange voice in
those halls. He did not follow the beaten
path in his advocacy of the bill. He at
once took high and strong ground in de-
fense Of General Jackson's S conduct. He
denied the legality Of Judge Halls judg-
ment. The position was bold one the
speaker attracted attention, and as he
warmed with his subject he soon obtained
the ear of the House. His speech was a
success; il established his character as a
lawyer and debater. From that time to
the present day he has pever been com
PEELED 20 address empty benches. or an
impatient, inattentive audience. The bill
passed the House and subsequently, the
Senate.
Alter the adjournment of Congress,
Messrs. Polk and Clay having been nomin-
ated for the Presidency, monster Dem>
ocrat,c convention was held at Nashville,
i Tennessee. to which delegations and dis
tinguished men from all the Western
States were invited. A large delegation
from Illinois. including Mr. Douglas. went
! to Nashville. The attendance was inn
mense.
The accounts describe it as a monster
gathering: forty acres were scarcely able
: to afford standing room for the vast as
semblage of men and women. Some OF
The most brilliant orators Of the day were
there. and for sevef~l days addressed the
multitude. Many had come from a great
distance, not only 10 attend The conven-
: tion. but also to see the great man who
had for SC long Il period and 50 prominent
. ly occupied the hearts of his couutrymen.
/ They could not leave without tie long
= wished for pleasure of seeing Andrew
] Jackson. The moment the speaking had
: closed the immense throng turned their
steps toward the Hermitage. 4 witness
says:
z Il remember well The vast procession,
: the countless multitude. as it came surg
= ing down the main road leading TO tie
! noxse Of Jackson. AS the people entered
( the avenue leading from the high road tc
] the plain but capacious dwelling, the old
: patriot, though feeble from age, reused
e himself once more to receive the SINGER,
a and unbought homage of his grateful and
: con6ding countrymen. He took a seat on
! sofa in the large hall opposite to the
/ porch and entrance. The multitude filled
: every standing point in front of the man.
5 sion Atiectionate friends surround cd
5 him the lhrong asked but for the privi
: lege of seeing and taking him by the hand
i once more. They approached hlm in files
: shook hands with him, and then passed
on through the hail. Thousands passed
!. tus before the old hero-at last our frienc
p Judge Douglas. of Illinois, approached
e | remember well how pole he looked. and
: how small ard plain he seemed beside the
J.. hundreds of robust gallant sons of Tennes
: see manhood Gov. Clement Clay, of AL
Y ALBANIA, Senator of the United States
: had been for some time acting as the me
! dunn of introduction to strangers. The
: scene that ensued was one never to be for
gotten"
e One Of the Illinois delegation who ac
S ccompanied Judge Douglas. was William
j, Walters, Esq, editor of the Illinois Stat,
# Register, the most influential as we'll AS tht
r ablest conducted paper in the State. Mr.
! Walters was with Judge Douglas at tn.
n time Of his introduction to General Jack
n son, and on his return to Springfield. ;
q few days thereafter he published the fol
}. lowing description of what took place:
II Everything that relates to Andrew
If Jackson, the hero Of New Orleans, ani
e the friend of his country, is of deep in
+ terest to the American people. and al
r though the incident we are about to relate i
e in itself of no great interest, il becomes E,
J. to US. i'll conse quence of those Connected
d with it. At the Nashville convention, il
Y August last. we visited the Hermitage
: only twelve miles distant, in company viii
l. Judge Douglas aud some others of ou
is fellow citizens. The Hermitage was crowd
ed with people from almost every State
: who had been invited lhither by the ven
d cradle patriot on the day succeeding tn
k Convention. Governor Cay of Alabama
n was near General Jackson. who was him
II self sitting on sofa in the hall, and a
Is each person entered. the Governor intro
5 duced hlm to the hero, aud he passes
along. When Judge Douglas was intre
duced, General Jackson raised his still
g brilliant eye, and gazed for moment o.
d the countenance of the Judge. still retain
l. ing his hand. Are you the Mr.. Dougla
). Of Illinois, who delivered speech las
re session on the subject Of the fine imposes
1. upon me for declaring martial law at Ne,
s. Orleans9' asked General Jackson.