Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-03-07
Rotation In Office.

John W. Forney tells the following:
After Jackson's first election in 1928, q
strong effort was made to remove General
-, an old Revolutionary soldier, at
that time postmaster in one of the princl-
pal New York towns. He had been Sc
fierce an Adams man that the jackson men
determined to displacc him, lie was nc
stranger to Jackson, who knew him well,
and was conscious Of his private worth and
public services.
As Mr.. Van Buren, was then Jackson's
Secretary of State, the combination against
the soldier was powerful. The old post
master, knowing that these two political
masters were against him, called upon the
President Immediately upon his arrival, and
was most courteously received and request
ed to call again, which he did several times,
but nothing was said about The post-otlice'
Finally the politicians finished their pro-
test and sent it forward to Mr.. Wright,
with the request that it should be delivered
at the first opportunity. The old post
master heard from his friends at home that
the important document was on its way,
so he resolved on a coup de main. The
next day there was q presidential recep-
ton, and among the early visitors was Gen.
=. After a cordial greeting by Jack
son, he quietly took his seat and waited
until the long train Of visitors had duly sa-
luted the nations chief and passed through
the grand east room on their way home.
The President turned to his venerable
guest in some surprise as he noticed him
still seated on one OF the sofas, and entered
into familiar conversation with him, when,
to his surprise, the old soldier said: Seen.
Jackson / have come here to talk to you
about my Office. The politicians want to
take it from me, and they know | have
nothing else to live upon" The President
made no reply till the aged postmaster be-
gan to take off his coat in the most excited
manner, when Old Hickory broke out with
the inquiry, "What in Heavens name are
you going to DO Why do you take of
your coat in this public place." "Well,
sir, | am going to show you my wounds,
which received in fighting for my coun-
try against the English" "Put on your
coat at once, sir" was the reply 4" am
surprised that a man of your age should
make such an exhibition of HIMSELF" and
the eyes Of the iron President were sutfilscd
with tears, as without another word he
babe his ancient foe good evening. The
very next night the crafty and able New
York politician called at the White House
and sent in his card. He was Immediately
ushered into the presence and found Jack
son in loose gown and slippers seated before
blazing wood fire quietly smoking his pipe
After the ordinary courtesies had been
exchanged, the politician opened his budget,
He represented the district from which the
venerable postmaster hailed said the latter
had been known as very active advocate
of John Quincy Adams; that he had liter
ally forfeited his place by his earnest oppo.
sition to the Jackson men, and that il he
was not removed the new administration
would be seriously injured. lie had hard
ly finished the last sentence when Jackson
sprang to his feet, flung lis pipe into the
fire and exclaimed, II take the consequen-
ces, sir; | take the consequences. BY the
eternal, | will not remove the old mani
cannot remove him. Why, Mr.. Wright
do YOU not know that he carries more than
pound Of British lead in his body 2" That
was the last Of it. He who was stronger
than courts, courtiels or cabinets pro
nounced hrs fiat, and the happy old post
master next day took the stage and re-
turned home rejoicing.