The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-05-05

II must be preserved
This was severe blow to Mr.. Calhoun,
who had lsbored earnestly to break down
Mr. Adams administration, without respect
to its measures, that Democratic party
might be built up, which would first elect
General jackson and then recognize him as
the legitimate successor to the Presidential
chair. His discontinue was soon COM
pleted by the publication of letter from
Mr. Crawford, which informed the Presi-
dent that he had, when in the Cabinet Of
Monroe. proposed that General Jackson
should be punished in some form" for his
high-handed military rule in Florida. Van
Buren, secretly famed the flames of General
Jackson's indignation, and adroitly availed
himself of 'tempest in teapot to complete
the downfall of his rival.
The woman used as a tool by Mr.. Van
Buren, is somewhat picturesque figure in
the political chronicles of the Capital. Her
maiden name was Margaret O'Neill, al
though she was known when girl as Peg,
and she was one of the daughters of the
keeper of tavern at which General jackson
used to put up before his election to the Presi-
Dental chair She had the 1.-THE form, the
fair skin, the dark red hair, and the keen, cat
I like gray eyes of her Milesian ancestry,
/ while she was as full of fun, frolc, and fir
tation as the typical damsel on the banks of
the Lake of Killarney. Caressed and
leased by the guests at the tavern, she
grew up to be pert, piquant and audacious,
and General jackson, who had always ad-
mired her when she was child, was delighted
when he learned, years afterward, that his
''little friend Peg"-then the Widow Tim
berlake-was to be married to his old COM
rade, General Eaton. There was much scan
dial at Washington about the death of her
first husband and her marriage to the second
but General Jackson paid no heed to it, and
when he became President he appointed
Il General Eaton Secretary of War. Washing.
I ton society was Mortified, and it soon became
known that Mrs. Calhoun, with the wives Of
other members of the cabinet, did not intend
to call on Mrs. Eaton, or to invite her Il
+ their houses. She carried her griefs to the
White House, where Mr.. Van Buren, had
paved the way for them, and the gallant ole
President swore "by the Eternal that the
scandal-mongers who had embittered the las
years of his beloved wife, Rachel, should mo-
= triumph over " his little friend Peg"
This was Van Buren's opportunity. He
= was widowcr, keeping house at Washing
ton, and as Secretary of State he was able Il
form an alliance with the bachelor minister
had spacious residences. A series of dinners
balls, and suppers were inaugurated at thes'
three houses, and at each successive enter
tainment Mrs. Eaton was the honored CUES
who lead the codntry-dance and occupied
: the seat at table on the right of the host
ISome respectable ladies were so shocked
by her audacity that they woult
} leave room when she enteret
: it. She was openly denounced b,
, clergymen, and she found herself in position
: which would have covered almost any othe
woman in Washington with shame. Mrs
, Eaton, who did not possess conscientious o
an honorable scruple as to the propriety Q
: her course, evidently enjoyed the situation
| and used to visit General jackson every da
! with fresh story of the insults paid her. Ye
she gave no evidence of diplomacy nor G
political sagacity, but was mere beautiful
passionate, impulsive puppet, held up b.
General jackson, while Mr.. Van Bure
adroitly pulled the strings that directed he
many movements.
Mr. Calhoun, whose wife was foremos
) among those ladies who positively refuse
to associate with Mrs. Eaton, said to frien
J of General Jacksons, who endeavoret
10 effect reconciliation, that "the quarrel
Of women, like those of the Modes and Pei
4 | slams, admitted of neither inquiry nor eXpla
:. nation" He knew well, however, that
!. was no women's quarrel, but political gam
Of chess played by men, who were using VIC
men as their pawns, and he lost the gam,
t Van Buren, and Eaton next rendered thei
9 designations as cabinet officers which Genera
. jackson refused to accept; whereupo
the cabinate officers whose wives d.
, clined to call on Mrs. Eaton resigned, an
! their designations we're promptly accepted
The whole city was in turmoil. Angry me
walked about with bludgeons, seeking ''satis
: faction" duels were talked of; old friend
! ships were severed; and every fresh indig
/ nifty offered "his little friend Peg endeare
her the more to General jackson, who wa
} duly grateful to Van Buren, for having el
! poused her cause. at was odd enough,
wrote Daniel Webster to personal FRIEND
> ''that the consequence of this dispute in tn
3 social and fashionable world is producin
) great political effects, and may very prot
, ably determine who shall be successor to tn
3 present Chief Magistrate"
L LOFT