The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-05-04
BY JAMES MORGAN

fACHEL DONALDSON ROBARD
Jackson's election to the presidency
almost deserved to be called the third
American revolution. The first in 1776
left the country still under the rule of
the colonial aristocracy, which, though,
liberty loving, distrusted the republic
and hated democracy. The Jeffer-
sonian revolution of 1900 called the
masses into the court of public Opin-
ion, but the old governing class re-
manned in exclusive possession of the
offices everywhere, from president to
selectman. The Jackson Revolution
Of 1928, changing the name of the
dominant party from Republican to
Democratic, threw open to all the
doors Of the government, and admitted
Tom. Dick and Harry unfortunately
to the sacred precincts of public hon
or and political power.
The change logically came in the
course of the nations growth. For
now there were eight or nine new
states on the western frontier, where
there was no aristocracy of birth or
wealth, and where men were starting
even in the race. This democratic
spirit spread even to the old states
and in New England the village artis.
an and the poor farmer rose up in
town meeting to challenge the squire
and the parson.
Jackson really was the first presi
dent to be popularity chosen. His was
! the first presidential election to arouse
the interest of the multitude, the PEG
pie in nearly every village setting VI
g. hickory pole and around it rallyine
to the support Of "Old Hickory" Al
his Inauguration, according to Justice
| Story, "the reign of king mob seemed
triumphant" and the jurist saw witt
horror the white house invaded by
crowds of all sorts Of people, from
the highest and most polished dowI
to the most vulgar and gross in the ma
ton"
/ Although the government no longer
was in good society, this first from
tiersman in the presidency was no SO
cial boor. He felt free to relax BY
stretching himself under the trees OF
the white house lawn, a corncob pipe
in his mouth; but on proper occasion
his manners were as cOurtly as those
of any predecessor or successor.
James Buchanan, who once escorted
an English lady to see Jackson; tool
the liberty of advising him to "slicl
up little" and received this sharl
rebuke: "Buck-hannan. l knew a fel
Ter what got rich mindin' his owl
business!" When the president cam
down to receive the visitor, she wa
charmed to be greeted by a gracious
and stately gentleman in a rufflet
shirt and swallow tail coat, which hal
been quickly substituted for a fadet
dressing gown.
1t was derision of its fallen dignit.
in the eyes of the aristocrats that tn
presidents Mansion" or president
Palace" was nicknamed 1.-THE Whit
House" by Jackson's critics. To then
it was no longer a mansion or a pal
ace, but merely house-and a white
washed house at that!
Unfortunately, the Jacksonian rev
olution imported from Europe tn
aristocratic system of official favorit
ism and patronage. which does not be
long in a democracy. Adopting tn
slogan 'to the victors belong tn
spoils." the new administration mad
more removals from office in its frs
month than were made altogether b,
the six administrations which had gon
before.
In simple, young country, still with
out big cities or railroads, withou
great industries, mines, corporation
and monopolies and with an abund
ance of virgin soil. the American pee