The age-herald., 1898-01-08
JACKSON DAY AN
 EPOCH OF HISTORY

 worse off than before the war began by the manner in which the federalists mag nified the defects in the peace compact.
 Victory After Peace Pact.
 Not long, however, were the federalists and others who sided with them to humll- fate the administration of Madison. A mud-spattered horseman came to the capl- tai bearing news from New Orleans. Throughout the city tidings went like the wind blown fire on the prairie. The wab- bling mass of the community that always 1nelines to the stronger side was afiame with the splendor of the news. They com peted with the democrats in showing their unbounded delight.
 "Old Andy! New Orleans! Victory!" they cried, and the gloating forces of war opposition were silenced.
 So great was the innuence of that victory, not only in this country. but likewise in England, that 1t supplied the defects of the treaty. It was certainly an anomalous victory. It was fought after the peace be- tween the two countries had been con cluded and after the peace pact had been signed.
 Although it would have been in violation of the treaty of Ghent, England would have set up dominion over the Louisiana territory if Packenham had won the fight or if his successor on the battle field had routed the army of Jackson.
 Jackson is Maligned.
 Even then, however, the enemies of the policy of the democratic party did not long remain silent. Jackson became the em- bodiment of the object of their hate and he was hectored and harassed ,and ma- ligned. The victory was popular, never theless, and the hero of it became the idol of the people. It Is seldom has a man been so bitterly hated and so lastingly loved. Jackson had not only saved his country from humiliation but he had set up again where it belonged in the affec- tions of the people the party of democracy
 Not only national pride and governmental domain conserved by the prowess of Jack son, but the peaceful industries of the country were put on the true highway to prosperity. The war had the effect of stimulating trade and commerce and mills sprang up, ships that were rotting at the wharves were rigged again and plenty came to the land. English interference with the trading fleets of the United States was at an end. Jackson had taught the English a lesson that lasted longer and did more good than ship load of treaties.
 Decay of the Federal Party.
 Since it was distinctly the policy of the democratic party that brought on the war of defense it was not unjust that the party should take credit for the benefits that ac- crued or that the people should give credit where 1t was due. It was the weakness and fiimsy character of the makeup of the federalist party of the time that set it out against the policy of war It was so much easier to sit at home in the blush of insult than to stand before English arms.
 Daniel Webster called the war of 1872 a party war" and the democrats did not deny it. Following the close of hostilites the federalist party went into decay and crumbled arpidly. The remnant of it coalesced with the antiwar democrats. The democratic party was strengthened and so- lidified. Its strength was, afterward dem- onstrated when it elected Jackson to the presidency and reelected him. Democrats learned to feel pride in the victory of Jackson at New Orleans before the smoke had cleared from the battlefield They have not forgitten 1t. It was a democratic victory
 During his two terms in the office of pres- ident Jackson demonstrated that he could be as great in statesmanship as he was in leading armies on the field of battle. His first candidacy resulted in a defeat of the expressed will of the people. He was given ninety-nine electoral votes, John Quincy was given eighty-four, William H. Craw- ford forty-one and Henry Clay thirty-sev- en. The election went to the house of con- greSS for settlement as he did not have the requisite majority, although he had plurality. Adams was seated by the house. In the following election, in 1S28 he was successful. It was a campaign distin- guished above all others before or since for the brutality of the manner in which his opponents assailed him. He received IFS votes. against eighty-three for Adams, his old opponent.
 During his term in office he fought and vanquished the supporters of the national bank in a conflict which left its scars for many years and was known as the 'bank war" He overcame the intentions of the protectionists and repressed the great nulli- fication movement led by the giant Calhoun. He demonstrated that his purpose was to conserve the best interests of the people and his conduct in office was high exam- pie of the principles of the democratic party.
 This man, whose achievements at New Orleans Jan. B. 1915. has made the day me- morable to the whole people and its anni- versary a feast day for democrats, was born in 1767 in the Waxhaw settlement in North Carolina. His parents had emIgrated from Ireland only two years before. He was married and died in Nashville Tenn. The date of his death was June 8, 1S45.