Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1910-11-25
Why He Went to Congress

But he had been Interpreting the laws
less than two years when he made
known to his friends that he desired
greatly to be nominated again for con-
gress. Some Of his friends remon-
strated; why. they asked, did he want
to give UP high judgeship for POI
sition In congress and thus remover
himself from Illinois as an important
public figure? This was Mr.. Doug
las reply. substantially:
Since / have been on the bench I
have met southern Democrat who
was not only political follower but
Is also a strong personal friend of An
drew Jackson. He has told me many
interesting things about jackson. and
from him / first learned of the fine
that was imposed upon General Jack
son at New Orleans when he put that
city under martial law In 1914. pre-
paratory to preparing II against at
tack by the British In the War Of 1912.
At that time General Jackson caused
the arrest OF Judge Hall and for this
act was fined $1,000 for contempt.
Then he went In and won the Battle
Of New Orleans. but to this day the
fine stands against him. Gentlemen, ]
have thought much about this incident
about the Uncomfortable wrong that
was done General Jackson at that
time, and want to 60 to congress to
right II. want to do all can TO see
~ that fhto <lA a rAratftAA
with compound interest. l therefore
very much want you to support me
for a congressional nomination"
Nominated and elected to congress
In due course. one Of the first Official
acts of Representative Stephen A.
Douglas was to introduce resolu-
ton authorizing the return, with
compound interest, OF the fine of 50
years before to the victor of New Or
leans. Early and late. In and out Of
session, and with all the earnestness
Of his being. Mr.. Douglas. then thirty
years Of age, advocated the passage Of
the resolution, and with much lesA
difficulty than ne had anticipated. he
finally had the satisfaction OF know
ing that the fine. with interest, would
be returned to "Old Hickory" them
with less than two years Of life before
him.
1t was in 1856. when he was on q
lecture tour in Illinois. that the late
Parke Goodwin, author. editor and SOM
in-law Of William Cullen Bryant was
told this anecdote by several of the
Little Giants close friends in
Springfield. Four years later, when
Douglas was making his campaign for
president. Mr.. Goodwin met him for the
first time and related this snecdote az
he had heard It
Why" exclaimed Douglas. in ap-
parent surprise, where did>you hear
that story? Yes. 1t is true every
word of It," he added few moments
later, "and II l had not heard incl
dentally of the grave injustice done
General Jackson might not have
been stirred up sufficiently to run for
congress again. But however that
may have been. one Of the most salts
flying recollections OF my public life
is that was able to right this great
injustice Inflicted upon General Jack
son thirty years before. And have
no correspondence that have treas
ured up more carefully than the per-
sonal note which / received from
General Jackson acknowledging his
appreciation of the service was able
to do him in his old age"
Copyright. 1910. by e. J, Edwards. All
Rights Reserved.)