The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1873-10-23
Jackson, CaIhOun and CRAWFORD.

1t was rumored, as far back as 1919,
that q proposition had been made in
Mr.. MOnroe's Cabinet to censure
Gen. Jackson for his conduct in the
Seminole war. 1t was known that an
investigation had been instituted in
the House of Representatives. At
whose instance? President Monroe
disavOwed any sympathy with it.
He lowered upon it the presidential
frOwn.
Runor whispered that Calhoun
had put the bali i'm motion. This ru-
NOR assumed tangible shape In the
columns of the Aurora, a paper pub
lished in Philadelphia, and devoted to
the interests of Gen. Jackson. Gen.
Jackson Indignantly repudiated the
Iumor, declared his entire commence
in the friendship and honor of Mr..
Calhoun, and called on the editor,
through its correspondent, to retract
and deny the charge, which was ac-
cOrdingly done. And ON his way to
Washington to meet the cOngression-
al investigation, at a public dinner
given him at Abingdon, Virginia, he
gave as q toast
"JOhn C.Galhoun, An honest mans
the nOblest work of GOd.'D
And, as a still further proof Of his
faith in the innocence of Mr.. CAL
houn, and of his eagerness to vindi-
cate him, he pointed to the fact that
the investigation in the House Of
Representatives was moved by q
friend Of Mr. Crawford, the political
rival of both Gen. Jackson and Mr..
Calhoun. For once Madame Rumor
was entirely discredited, and the
tangible fact that a friend of Mr..
Crawford had moved in the matter
was made to sustain the presumption
that he was the secret cabinet assail-
ant. The result vas that the political
rivalry between Gen. Jackson and
Mr.. Crawford assumed the character
of virulent personal feud.
Mr.. Crawford vouehsafed no word
OF explanation, although he well
knew that by the utteranee of that
word he could remove the imputed
stigma from his own character, and
brand it upon the forehead of his sue
cessful rival.
Ten years, characterized by poIiti-
cal struggles, contested with unusual
violence, passed by, and this mysteri-
Gus affair still remained shrouded in
obscurity. Twice Mr.. Calhoun had
been elected to the ice-presideney,
running on the same ticket, and en-
braced in the closest friendship with
Gen. Jackson. They were both en-
joying the full effulgenee Of the popu-
lar favor; while Mr.. Crawford had
passed into unnoticed and hopeless
obscurity, obtaining a modest liVeli-
hood by filling a judicial Office in
Georgia.
In November, 1890, a memorable
dinner was discussed at the Executive
Mansion in Washington. There were
present, Andrew Jackson, President
of the United States; James Monroe,
ex-President; Martin Van Buren,,
Secretary of State; Samuel d. Ing
ham, Secretary of the Treasury !;
John II. Eaton, Secretary of War !;
John Branch, Secretary Of the Navy I;
John Mcpherson Berrein, Attorney
General; William T. Barry, Post
master Finch Ringold, Mar
shal of the District of Columbia
Mai. Andrew Jackson Donelson, pri-
vate secretary, and Maj. William B.
Lewis, confidential secretary Of the
President. To the last named we are
indebted fer the account of what
transpired.
After dinner was over, the compa-
/ ny retired to the parlor, bat did not
remain long before they all left, with
the exception of Mr.. Eaton. The
General rang for q servant, and order
his pipe to brought 20 him, as was his
usual habit after the company had
Withdrawn.
His pipe was brought, and he seem
ed to be in deep meditation while
smoking /: and as supposed, wss pay
ing no attention to the conversation
between Mr.. Eaton and myself. He
heard me. however, inquire of Mr.
Eaton il the remarks of Mr.. Ringold
about the Seminole war and Mr. Mon
rOe's Cabinet did not surprise him,
and starting up from his apparent
revery, demanded to know what we
were talking about.
The answer brought out the fact
that 5Ir. RIngold had said that Mr..
Calhoun was unfriendIy to Gen. Jack
son on the Seminole question. The
General remarked that Mr.. RingOld
must be mistaken.
Dir. Lewis replied:
"I am not sure of that"
"Why are you not?' inquired Gen.
Jackson.
Mr.. Lewis now informed him Of the
letter Of Mr.. Crawford, written more
than 3 year previously, in which il
was stated that Gen. Jackson haC
done him injustice in charging hin
with being unfriendly, when Mr.. Cal.
houn was the member Of Mr.. Mon
rOe's Cabinet who had proposed Il
} eensure the General.
"Have you seen such q letter a
/ that ?'' asked Gen. Jackson.
: "I have, and read it, too"
: "Where is that letter ?''
] 'In New York" said M. Lewis
81 want TO See it," said Gen. Jack
: son. ''You must go to New York to
1 morrow
: Gen. Jackson obtained q copy O
Mr.. Crawford's letter, and immedi
: ately inclosed IL to Mr.. Calhoun
: f'Are the statements in this lette
: true 2'' This was the substance 6
Y Gen. Jsekson's letter.
= Mr. Calhoun was amazed. For six
e teen days he cJgitated over the abys:
: on the brink Of which he stood. On
5 Ill now, his worst enemy had neve
q rhawaroH hin, vrrfff, HfahAnnwahla "a