The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-09-16
HONOR AND HEED THE PATRIOTS
AND PROPHETS.

Our political prophets and patriots are
worthy of all honor and attention. Though
dead they yet speaketh. Their great deeds
and documents are recorded in the brightest
pages of our history. Let Americans, young
and old, study and treasure them, for free
doms battle continues.
In this battle the great aim is justice. In
his Essential principles of government" Mr..
Jefferson puts justice, first, thus: Equal and
exact justice to all men, of whatever state OF
persuasion, religious or political" And
government being the agent of the people
should regard their unalienable rights Of life,
liberty and happiness, and never forget that
governments are instituted among men to Sc
cure these, not to impair or destroy.
Our leading politician philosopher and
prophet was, undoubtedly, Thomas Jefferson.
The greatest political document in all history
was his production, "The Declaration OF
American Independence" 1t still reverber-
stes around and throughout the world. The
grandest document that ever emanated from
the head of government, was Mr.. Jefierson's
first inaugural address. II did much to calm
the troubled sea Of politics, and bring the
people together as fellow citizens and neigh.
bors. Herein he was the great and good philo-
sopher and prophet.
While Jefferson was our philosopher presi.
dent, Andrew Jackson was the hero president
During Jackson's administration Of eight
years. the United States bank came up for a
recharter and the institution got its bill
through congress in the summer of 1882 while
Jackson's campaign for reelection was in pro-
gress.
Henry Clay was the whig candidate for
president running against Jackson in 1882,
and he and the friends of the bank hurried
through congress the bill rechartering the bank
with view of teating Jackson, thinking to put
him in hole and defeat him whether he ap.
proved or vetoed the measure. Jackson was
never the man to hesitate to try and perform
what he thought to be his duty, and his mes
sage vetoing the bill was a document that cap.
tured the country and Jackson was reelected
by an overwhelming majority. The friends Of
Clay even failed to carry Ohio, much to their
chagrin and disappointment. But Jackson
captured other doubtful states which the wings
counted on.
Jackson bad 219 electoral votes; Clay, 40;
IL (south Carolina) for Floyd and Z (Vermont)
for Writ. This overwhelming victory was q
complete vindication of Jackson and his finan.
cial policy. The United States Bank had been
actively and openly engaged in the canvass
and the institution and its friends felt the re-
buke. Cheers for Jackson reverberated over
the land, as when news came of his great vic
tory at New Orleans. 1t was indeed, ''Hurrah
for Jackson"
In his next message to congress, Jackson
expressed doubts as to the solvency of the
bank and recommended an investigation to
see if the deposits of public money were safe.
The committee on ways and means investigat-
ed, and two reports were made, one declaring
the bank safe and sound, and the other throw.
ing doubts on such conclusions. These reports
were made in accordance with their political
partisanship,
Jackson felt it to be his duty to remove the
govern ment funds ON deposit in the bank, and
took steps accordingly, This had to be done
on the order of the secretary of the treasury,
but Secretary Duane thought the removal
neither necessary nor proper and absolutely
refused to issue the order or to resign, and SC
Jackson removed him in September, 1888, and
appointed Roger B. Taney, who at once made
the order and after October l, the government
funds were placed in different state banks,
nicknamed pet banks"
ITO be continued1