The Evening standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1910-1913, 1910-12-09
JACKSON AS AN EX-PReslOENT

lConKllng Mann In the OUTLOOK
Andrew Jackson retired from the
White House more popular than when
he entered. after naming his successor,
as he thought. (or two trms- His part
ing commands to his frlnds were to
annex Texas and look out for the Ore
Gon boundary. In the boundary dis
pute he wished the country to get
'5i-i0 or fight" Leaving Washing
ton he said he washed his hands OF
politics. But back in Tennessee they
gave him a dinner at which he told
Mrs. Polk, according to her story, that
the presidential Scepter would soon re-
turn TO Tennessee, and her own fair
self should be the queen. Jackson
corrSponded much with Van Buren,
and seemed pleased with his admins
traton, so that after three years he
forced Van Burcn denomination In
the face of no little opposition. Jack
son took the stump for his candidate
in the west and worked hard, but II
cannot be said wisely. When the
Wings under Harrison carried the
election Jackson took his medicine
and began to lay pipes for the next
election He was an old man. in the
poorest health, but his spirit and pop
ularlty were of the greatest, and Dem
ocrats in north and south looked upon
him as capable OF making or break
ing a candidate Now came sharp
work inside the party Van Buren.
mp to his defeat by Harrison, had been
able 10 count on Jackson's support
But IL became known that he did not
favor the Immediate annexation OF
Texas Jacksons pet scheme. and the
New York mans enemies set about
TO destroy him on this issue. There
is little doubt about Jackson's part
in this contest. Slavery men obtain
ed from him a letter favoring the Inn
mediate annexation OF Texas. Gradu'
ally they drew from Van Buren,
public letter against the Texas reso-
luton Van Burcn made his posi-
ton clear. and then the the Jackson
letter was produced. Apparently dis
gucsted with the trick which had been
played upon him. Jackson fastened TO
write a second letter in which he said
that he thought so much of Van Blu
rem that the Texas question would
make no difference between them
Nevertheless. he falld to mntlond the
presidency, and the public saw the old
allies seemingly at odds. politically II
not personally. From this and other
points that is good reason to believe
that Jackson did not consided Van
Buren, a desirable candidate In 1854.
Van Buren, never pursued braver
course than when he made no effort
10 dodge the Texas issue. even though
1t was apparent that his position as
accentuated by Jackson's letter would
cost him the nomination. He was the
choice of majority OF the delegates
at the convention. but could not over
come the two-thirds rule. Polk, whom
admirers called "a Whole-hogged Dem
ocrat." was nominated and elected.
Polk consulted Jackson. but not Van
Buren, about his cabinet selections.
Jackson did not approve OF Buchanan
as secretary of state. Polk recalled
that Jackson had sent Buchanan as
minister to Russia.
"Yes, | did" shouted the general.
at was as far as ] could sent him out
OF sight. and where he would do the
least harm. | would have sent him 10
the north pole II VIC had had min
lister there" Winch meant to show
tho frankness with which Jackson ad-
dressed one president. and what he
thought about a later executive. Jack
son died that summer, after Polks In
auguration. 1t was said that hard
campaigning killed him
Jackson's last letter was written to
Polk. who mentions ii In his diary as
a confidential letter Of friendship
communicating information touching
on the official conduct of person
high In office In reference TO which
General Jackson In his dying moments
thought II proper to put me on my
guard" So the Old Hero" stood by
until the end.