Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-14
OLD HICKORY.
Mai. Dickey and Representative Keegan at
Portland Celebration.

Der OF the Legislature from tprt hent ana
Mr.. Peter C. keegan, the representative
from Van Buren,, eloquently testified to
their Jacksonian Democracy at the cele-
bration in Portland, Wednesday evening
of the S0th anniversary of the battle of
New Orleans. The account in the Eastern
Argus of the meeting contains an alb
stract of the remarks of Mr. Keegan, Who
the Argus says was warmly greeted, !"
and whose words certainly had true
Jacksonian ring. tE
Llewellyn Barton, Esq, the chairman
of the meeting, served in the Legislature
in 1885, with Maj. Dickey and in intro
ducing the latter referred to his presence
at a meeting of the minority "armful, !"
called to distribute among themselves
such legislative crumbs as fell to their
lot He said:
I'm the course of the meeting there arose
a tall venerable man, with kindly face
who had already passed the allotted three
score and ten years. He represented a
hardly constituency in the extreme north
ern section of our great State. His dis
trict stretched long the beautiful banks OF
the Wallagash and St. Johns rivers for
more than $50 miles, distance which
some of our states in breadth and even
length do not equal in territorial boun-
diaries. For years he has represented that
district and represents it today. The peo-
pie have learned to respect his ability; to
love his virtues and venerate his wisdom
he in turn has never betrayed their trust
now weakened their confidence. He has
in fact become their good st. Nicholas
for he always returns laden with biennial
tokens for the stockings of a pleased and
trusting constituency.
And although since the incident re-
lated u decade has passed yet the recurr-
ing years has dealt kindly with him; and
while his locks are little grayer and his
step little less elastic yet his heart is as
young and his mind as vigorous as a
generation ago.
81 know you have already anticipated
him whom l now take great pleasure in
introducing to you the Hon. William
Dickey of Fort Kent
The Argus says:
Mr. Dickey was very warmly received
by the audience and was compelled to
wait several moments for the applause to
cease before he could begin his remarks.
Mr. Dickey is a tall, well formed old
gentleman with snowy hair and beard
and kindly face. Mr.. Dickey said:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
My age at the time of the battle of New
Orleans was but five years yet my mother
instilled into me the greatest love and
respect for Andrew Jackson. My father
and three brothers We're at that time en-
gagged in assisting the noble cause for
which Jackson fought. The vessel which
INV 70 bor commanded wac capflrp1 nv
the enemy but aided by the ruling hand
of Providence he retook his vessel and
brought the Virginius safely to Wiscasset.
The great battle of New Orleans and its
consequences l have thought of much.
England sent over the flower of her navy
and army to take the vast province we
purchased from France. This fleet was
detained for nearly ten days by Captain
Baker with only one vessel and the time
thus gained allowed Andrew Jackson to
gather about him nearly 1000 men and
to make his preparations for the defense
of the city. When the city was attacked
on the morning of the Sth jackson
gave but a few commands He did say
however Ammunition is scarce Don't
fire until you can see the whites of their
eyes, and it was this order that won the
battle The province which the English
attempted to take at that time is now
divided into sixteen large states and we
also have control of the Mississippi river
and the consequences of this battle were
never overshadowcd by but one in our
history and that was Gettysburg.
When Andrew jackson was about to
leave for Washington in 1929 his wife
said to him, You have always been very
popular but when you arrive at Wash
ington and meet all those strange people
don't forget your God" and this admoni
ton Jackson certainly needed. l was in
Portland at the great Jackson celebration
held in 1885 ON the training field where
the Maine general hospital now stands.
When l heard Andrew Jackson was
coming to Boston l was in Strong a
town in Franklin county. l took the
stage, went to Boston and through the in
fuence of friend was invited to attend
a reception given to him. l was intro
duced to Jackson as a young jackson
man." was at that time twenty-three
years of age and mighty green. When
the party arrived near Boston 1t was de
cidcd that they should enter upon horse
back, and as Jackson rode up to the
fremont House upon HanuSolllc norSe
he made great impression.
The reception followed Immediately and
everyone was introduced to President
Jackson and | thank heaven that had
that pleasure. AS l stood near him on
this occasion heard Van Buren, say to
jackson, "H0w do you like the Yankees@
jackson replied, 81 love them the more /
see of them. If Calhoun was here with
his secession ideas he would stand no
more show than stub tailed bull in fly
time.
I'm 1885," continued Mr.. Dickey, 81
had the pleasure of riding the same horse
that jackson rode when he entered Bos-
ton. should not have been here tonight
but forthe earnest solicitation of my friends.
Portland is the city of my early life
but easterly winds compelled me to go
into the woods where l have labored in
the interest and for the welfare Of the
outcasts of the English government the
Acadian French, / will now ask you to
excuse me from saying any more.
Mr.. Dickey's remarks Were the most
interesting of the evening and his hearers
would have listened to him much longer
with pleasure.