The Columbus journal., 1910-11-30

JACKSON AS AN EX-PRESIDENT
Andrew jackson retired from the
White House more popular than when
he entered, after naming his successor,
ashe thought for two terms. His part.
ing commands to his friends were to
annex Texas and look out for the Ore.
gon boundary. In the boundary dis.
pute he wished the country to get "a.
40 or fight" Leaving Washington he
said he washed his hands of politics.
But back in Tennessee they gave him q
dinner at which he told Mrs. Polk, &C.
cording to her story, that the Presiden.
tial scepter would soon return to Ten
nessee and her own fair self should be
the queen. Jackson corresponded
much with Van Buren, and seemed
pleased with his administration, SO
that after three years he forced Van
Buren's denomination, in the face of
no little opposition. jackson took the
stump for his candidate in the West
and worked hard, but it cannot be
said wisely. When the Wings under
Harrison carried the election jackson
took bis medicine and began to lay
pipes for the next election. He was
an old man, in the poorest If health,
but his spirit and popularity were of
the greatest and Democrats in North
and South looked upon him as capable
Of making or breaking a candidate.
Now came sharp work inside the par
ty. Van Buren,, up to his defeat by
Harrison, had been able to count on
Jackson's support. But it became
known that he did not favor the i'm.
mediate annexation Of Texas, Jack.
sons let 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 obtained from him a let.
ter favoring the immediate annexation
Of Texas. Gradually they drew from
Van Buren, a public letter against the
Texas resolution. Van Buren, made
his position clear, and then the Jack.
son letter was produced. Apparently
disguised with the trick which had
been played upon him, jackson hasten.
ed to write q second letter in which he
said that he thought SO much of Van
Buren, that the Texas question would
make no difference between them.
Nevertheless, he failed to mention the
Presidency, and the public saw the old
allies seemingly at odds, politically if
not personally. From this and other
points, there is good reason to believe
that jackson did not consider Van
Buren, q desirable candidate in 1874.
Van Buren, never pursued q Drawer
course than when he made no effort to
dodge the Texas issue. even though it
was apparent that his position as &C.
centuated by Jackson's letter would
cost him the nomination. He was the
choice of a majority of the delegates
at the convention, but could not over
come the twO.thirds rule. Polk,
whom admirers called "a whole hogged
Democrat" was nominated and elect
ed. Polk consulted jackson, but not
Van Buren,, about his Cabinet selec-
tons. jackson did not approve of
Buchanan as Secretary of State.
Polk recalled that jackson had sent
Buchanan as Minister to Russia.
"Yes, l did," shouted the general.
1T was as far as could send him out
of sight, and where he would do the
least harm. l would have sent him to
the North Pole if We had had mini.
ster there" Which went to show the
with which jackson address
ed one President, and what he thought
about q later executive. jackson died
that summer, after Folks inaugura-
ton. 1t was said that hard campaign.
ing killed him.
Jacksons last letter was written to
Polk, who mentions it in his diary as
. confidential letter of friendship
communicating information touching
On the official conduct a person high
in office, in reference to which Gener.
n jackson in his dying moments |
thought it proper to put me on my |
guard" So the "Old Hero" stood bv |
until the end.-Conklin Mann in the |
Outlook.
FRANKLIN ON EARLY MAR.
RAGE.
Indeed, from marriages that have