The Irish standard., 1898-07-30

man groaning In bed. Soon after his
victory at Pensacola he was made major
general in the regular army, and was
appointed to command the department
Of the South.
On Sept IA, while Jackson was gar
risoned at Mobile. the English made an
attack upon his army, but were re-
pulsed and retreated to Pensacola,
whittier Jackson followed them with
5000 men. BY these and subsequent
events he drove the British from Flor
Ida. Learning that the British were to
attack New Orleans. Jackson devoted all
his energies to the task of defending the
city, and, after an arduous journey, he
arrived on Dec. 2. 1.-The British expedi-
tion directed against New Orleans" says
the historian, was more formidable
than any other that we had to encoun-
ter during our second war with England.
In the North tho British warfare had
been directed chiefly toward defending
Canada and gaining such a foothold
upon our frontier as might be useful in.
making terms at the end of the war;
But the expedition against New Orleans
was intended to make Il permanent
conquest of the lower Mississippi val
ley, and to secure for England the west
ern bank of the river"
AS this crowning triumph of Jack
sons career has SO often been told in
these columns, q glance at the battle
will suffice. On Dec. 3 and 2S he inflict-
ed severe defeats on the English outside
the city. On Jan. 8, 1916, Sir Edward
Pakenham, the English commander
having been so strongly reinforced, felt
that he could vanquish the American
forces. With $4,000 veterans, thorough
ly disciplined troops, ho advanced upon
tho small column of 1000 raw militia
under Jacksons command, but suffered,
crushing defeat. In tho English army
was large number OF soldiers who had
seen service under Wellington at Water
loo. Pakenham and his second in COM
mand, Gen. Gibbs, wero killed. Two
thousand wounded and slain wero left
by tho English on tho field, while the
loss of the Americans was only Z killed
and wounded out Of an army of GO0O.
Two days after the battle of New
orleans the city was the thcater of Il
most imposing spectacle At the request
of Jackson, the Abbe Du Bourg, apos-
tolic prefect for Louisiana, had appoint
ed that day for the public Offering OF
thanks to Almighty God for His Intcrpo-
sition In behalf OF the American people.
The dawn was greeted by the booming
OF cannon. The religious ceremonies
wero to ho held IN tho old cathedral,
which was decorated for tho occasion.
In the center of tho public square, in
front Of the cathedral where the eqllcs-
trian statue Of jackson now stands, was
erected a triumphal arch, richly decor
ated. Beneath tho arch stood two little
girls, each upon Il PEDESTAL and holding
In their hands a civic crown of laurel.
Near them stood two other girls, ono
personifying Liberty and the other JUS
tlcc. From tho arch to the church. az
ranged In two rows, stood young ladies',
all dressed in white and each covered
with blue g;luZc veil and bearing ~
silver star ON her brow. These person.
filed tho several states and territories of
the Union. Each carried IL flag with the
name OF tho state which she represented
upon 1t. At the appointed time, Gen.
Jackson, accompanied by the officers of
his staff, passed through the gate of the
grand square fronting the river, amid
the roar of artillery, and was conducted
between lines Of soldiers (Which On
tended from the gate to the church,, to
the raised floor of the arch. AS Tic
stepped upon 1t, the two girls leaned
gently forward and placed the laurel
crown upon his head.
At the cathedral entrance the honorcd
hero was met by the bishop in his pom
tifcal robes, and supported by college
of priests In their saCerdotal garments
The bishop addressed tho general with
eloquent and patriotic discourse, after
which the chief was conducted to Il
conspicuous scat near tho great altar.
when tho re Dcum was chanted by the
choir and people. That night the city
of New Orleans blazcd with general H.
Elimination.
In 1919 the purchase of Florida from
Spain was effected, and in 1921 jackson
was appointed governor of that terri
tory. In 1923 he was elected to the
United States senate. In 1928 Gen.
jackson was elected president of tho
United States by 17S electoral votes, to
&3 given for John Quincy Adams. Upon
receiving intelligence that his friends
were working to secure his nomination,
he cast much ridicule upon the idea.
do you suppose" said he, that think
myself fit for president of the United
States? No, sir; ! know what ! am fit
for. / can command body of men in
a rough way, but ! am not fiji to be
president" He was reelected in 1892,
securing 2l9 votes out of Il total of 22S,
His death took place in Nashville, June
s, 1845.
Jackson's feeling of pride in his race,
his sympathy with It's struggles for
freedom, is made clear in his reply to
the address of the Charitable Irish So