The Bossier banner., 1908-01-02
JACKSON DAY.


second anniversary of the Battle OF New
Orleans, and, as usual, it will be celebrated
by banquets and speeches. The 9th OF
January is known as Jackson Day because
the victory over Packenham and his vete-
rams was the greatest event of Jackson's
life, although much of his imperishable
fame rests upon his career as President OF
the United States. He was an honest man
and sincere patriot, and his only aspira-
ton as a soldier and statesman was to an
honorable fame as his reward. While
honesty and patriotism are esteemed among
men Andrew Jackson's place in the affec-
tons of the American people is secure.
The Battle of New Orleans, as every
school boy knows, was fought after the
treaty Of peace with Great Britain had
been signed at Ghent, but before the news
of it had reached America in the sailing
ships of that day. 1t seems like the irony
of fate that to Henry Clay was due the
battle which, in all probability, made his
most bitter political enemy President of
the United States and defeated his own
ambition Clay had been the chief cham
pion of the war, and without him it is not
likely the war would have taken place at
that time. The chief causes of the war
were the impressment of sailors and the
principles of blockade. Clay was called
upon to sign treaty of peace silent upon
both these great questions and he consid-
- l. lo1o
week after week until it was too late to
prevent the Battle Of New Orleans, which
made jackson a popular hero and finally
President. If Clay had signed the treaty
when the other ENJOYS were ready the
news Of the peace would have reached
America in time to prevent the Battle OF
New Orleans. 1t is not unnatural to sup
pose that the career of Jackson would have
been different if the battle had not occur
red At the time, however: Clay was
greatly rejoiced at the splendid victory,
useless as ii seemed. He felt humiliated
at the terms of the treaty he had signed.
From Ghent Clay went to Paris and there
he heard Of Jackson's victory over Paken-
ham and Wellington's veterans, about
sixty-fve days after the event. 1t was, in
fact, not until February II that the news
of the battle reached New York. When
Clay heard the news he exclaimed with
delight: ''Now | can go to England with
out notification" While the Battle of
New Orleans has been regarded as an un-
necessary loss of life, if it only made
Jackson President of the United States for
eight years it served a great purpose. But
it served far greater purpose, for in real
ity, the Battle of New Orleans confirmed
our title to the Louisiana Purchase and our
undisputed possession of the entire Mssis-
sippi Valley.
Andrew Jackson lived to good old age
to enjoy the affection and veneration of his
fellow citizens. "Heaven gave him length
OF days said George Bancroft, "and he
filled them with deeds of greatness" Few
men have ever received such a eulogy as
that paid by Bancroft, Secretary of the
Navy and Acting Secretary Of War at the
time Of Jackson's death, and few have de-
served such eulogy more completely. In
an official order, dated June Is, 1916, an
nouncing the death of Jackson, Secretary
Bancroft said:
1.-the Valley of the Mississippi beheld in
him the braeest and wisest and most for
tunate of its defenders; the country raised
hlmto the highest trusts in military and civil
life with a confidence that never abated and
an affection that followed in undiminished
vigor to retirement; watched over his latest
hours and pays its tribute at his grave
Wherever his lot was cast he appeared
among those around him first in natural
endowments and resources, not less than
first in authority and station. The power
of his mind impresses itself on the policy
of his country, and still lives and will live
forever in the memory of the people,
Crowned with glory in war, in his whole
career as statesman he showed himself
the friend and lover of peace.'' 'In war
his eye at glance discerned his plans with
unerring sagacity; in peace he proposed
measures with an instructive wisdom of
which the inspirations were prophecy
Addressing the Army and Navy, Secre-
tary Bancroft said in conclusion:
Let the virtues of the illustrous dead
retain their influence, and when energy and
courage are called to trial emulate his ex-
ample"
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