New-York tribune., 1899-07-23


hank WAS his enemy and therefore the enemy
of the Republic and of the human race But
Jackson's attitude was dignihed. and his triumph
made possible and desirable Clays extraorui-
nary blunder in making the recharter OF the
hank 4 party question and by the fatuity
OF the bank itself in entering into tne
,oIiticaI arer.a II was only necessary TO
convince the rising Democracy, OF which jack
son was the idol that the Wings were pledged
to the defence of this great privileged instltu-
tion the representative Of the "moneyed ars-
tocracv' TO insure the speedy and utter rum OF
hoth. while for the bank to transform itself into
q nolitical agency was to confirm the worst accu-
sations that its enemies had brought against IT,
As Mr. Feck well SAYS Clay's bank policy was
aItopether the most ill-advised political issue
that could have been conceived. Hah 'he'e
been no other question before the people 1t alone
would have been fatal to his success. Aged men
long afterward related with keen enthusiasm
the part they took in Staying the monster IL
was in vain TO call the Hero Of New-Oreans'
a pubic enemy: the question. as ii was put
whether he or a gigantic corporation supported
by a moneyed aristOcracy. was the more danger
ous to our institutions, could receive but one
answer by the popular voice. The spectacle OF
the bank openly using every possible means 10
nreserve its existence was the most powerful
argument against IT, In reaching a correct
view of the subject it matters not whether jack
son or the bank was the first assailant, nor
what were the motives that led 10 the issue;
that the bank could under any circumstances
become the subject Of a political contest was
reason enough why it should not exist In
fact with the bank as an issue Clay and the
Wings were buried under tremendous electoral
majority in the campaign Of 1922, and Jackson's
victory was complete. a similar conclusion IS
Justly reached by Mr.. Peck with regard to the
vote of censurc and the extraordinary struggle
over the expunging resolution. "the fercest con-
test that had been witnessed as yet in the po-
litical annals Of the Nation Whatever the
motives and wisdom Of Jackson's course in the
matter of the deposits may have been. he was
clearly within his constitutional rights, ana the
fierce assault made upon him by Clay ana ms
followers WAS based upon utterly untena0le
grounds and in the end damaged only the as
saiants; while their humiliation was rendered
overwhelming and Jackson's triumph complete
by the final passage Of Bentons resolution ID
axpupge the vote Of censure from the journal
Notwithstanding their frantic efforts to prevent
it. This was the last act Of the "leud ana the
consummation OF Jacksons revenge. Clay had
been worsted at every point
Tho criticisms which Mr.. Peck pronounces upon
the episodes and the actors in this drama are
always Illuminating and almost invariably just
His estimate of Jackson in particular Is admir-
bIe While the Generals defects of character
and intellect and the narrOwness of his motives
are vigorously stated. the common eXaggeratlon
Of his shortcomings is avoided and his acts are
Judged strictly on their merits. With regard
to his audaciOuS and uncOmpromising partisan
ship. il is justly observed that ''if ever Chief
Magistrate can be pardOned for partisan eX-
cesses Jackson can. Parliamentary history con-
tains no instance where the executive admins
tration of a government was more sorely tried.
baited and assailed by relentless opposition
His audacity was. it is pointed out, due in large
measure to his political inexpcrience and inca
pacity which forced him to rely more on his
own headong courage than on the polite cir
cumspection that seeks the point OF least re-
sstance" while the acts that were most fierce
ly denounced autOcratic and revolutionary
took distinctive aspect from his personality
and impetuous energy rather than from their
character and effects" mo President" in
short, has demonstrated greater practical 10y
atty 10 the larger aims of the Constitution and
more devotion to the Union and the democratic
theory on which the Constitution and the Union
rest. The charge. ncessantly repeated. that he
automatically exercised powers in disregard Of
the Constitution cannot be sustained. For
everything he did in which his constitutional
warrant has been questioned. and where he did
not act under express powers, the argument in
his support is stronger than that against him.
When he retired every feature of our
governmental institutions was unimpaired and
unaffected" For the rest. ii is absurd. as Mr..
Peck rightly remarks to credit Jackson with
tho initin ton of no nnlicY 10 fnllnNnd WAS