Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-01-26
Andrew jackson. y
Hon. G. T.. Vallandigham's Re-
sponse to that Toast at Wooster,
Ohio.

We extract the closing para
graphs of Hon. c. L. Vallandig.
hams reply to the regular toast,
'Andrew Jackson" at the festival
at Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, on
the 9th inst, in commemoration
of the great victory gained by
"Old Hickory" at New Orleans.
The speech is a fine effort and
reflects great credit upon Its
author:
Andrew Jackson was not long
TO enjoy this retirement, And
now as well special and disinter-
ested friends as selfish politicians
were resolved that he should be
President. Political considera-
tions at this moment seemed to
require that he should become first
a candidate for the Senate of the
United States. He only could
defeat a rival who was his person
al and political enemy. He was
elected, twenty-five members of
the Legislature voting against him,
of whom three only We're returned
at the rext election, In Decem-
ber, 1928, he took his seat again
in the Senate, twenty-six years
after his first appearance in that
body. And there was 10 "chok.
ing with rage" now. lie served
two sessions, speaking rarely and.
briefly, voting upon almost every
question. He was fairly in the
field for the Presidency. Enter
tanning the delicate scruples of
that day, he refused to canvass
for the election, writing to con-
fidential friend, Il cannot do it !;
| would feel degraded the balance
of my life. Ii / ever fill that
Office, it must be the free choice
Of the people" But his political
opinions he did not hesitate to
announce. A memorable declara-
ton was in these words, pertinent
equally to the times in which we
live: 81 am opposed to proIong-
ing the payment of our national
debt, and thereby raise up in our
country a mrneyed aristocracy
dangerous to our liberty" Later
in his lite he was chosen President
and during his term OF service
the last dollar of an honest pub
lie debt was paid off.
! The electoral college failed to
choose a president, and the choice
devolved upon the House of Rep
resentatives. jackson had re,
ceived larger number Of electo-
rial votes, larger number of
STATES, and a larger popular vote
than any other candidate. He
was clearly the choice of the
State and the people. But the
Constitution did not oblige the
House to elect him. Controlled
by Henry Clay, but in exercise
of their undoubted right, they
chose John Quincy Adams, OF
Of Massachusetts. There was no
"bargains and sale" in the act, but
in an evil hour for his future polit.
ical fortunes, Mr.. Clay became
Secretary of State under the new
Administration. Nominations by
Congressional caucus were at an
end, and to be found Gin the line
of safe precedents'' was henceforth
predestlned defeat.
During this long canvass, ex-
tending from December. 1928, to
February, 1925, Andrew Jackson
had made many friends, concilia-
ting also not few enemies, by his
ctlmness, his moderation, his ur-
banity. At the end Of the session
he returned home and resigned
bis seat in the Senate. His jour
ney westward was triumphant
procession. Politicians had post
poned him, but he was more than
ever the idol of the people, They
were resolved that he should be
President, and believing that their
will had been thwaIted, he was
now himself equally determined.
On the very night of his defeat,
he had been put in nomination by
his friends as the Peoples can.
didate in 1928. His election was
now but question of time. Not
SO thought the friends of Mr. Ad-
ans. Three years of unquiet
followed, and then a campaign
of unexampled excitement, and
bitterness. Never bad any man
been assailed as Andrew Jackson.
Every act of his life, every char
acteristic of his nature, was made
the subject of the cruelest: distor-
ton and calumny. OF every
crime against law. and every of
fense against religion and morals.
he was accused /; and thenceforth