Evening star., 1933-04-09
REV|EW[ OE The NEW BCQON(

ANDREW JACKSON: THE BORDER CAP
TAIN. By Marquis James. Indianapolis:
The Bobbs- Merrill Co.
HE most extraordinary part of Andrew
Jackson's life was the part before
he was President. Marquis James
ends his biography with the approach
of the presidential campaign Of 1924,
when Gen. Jackson, from his retire.
ment at the Hermitage, expressed himself thus:
81 have an Opinion Of my own on all subjects,
and when that opinion is formed I persue it
publickly, regardless of who goes with me.
You are at liberty to say in my name to both
my friends and enemies, that will SO far rs
my influence extends, support Mr.. Adams un-
less Mr.. Calhoun should be brought forward.
AS to VIM. H. Crawford, you know my
opinion-I would support the devil first" In
politics. Jackson's methods were as direct and
lacking in subtlety as in his capture of New
Orleans and his seizure Of Florida. The birth
place of jackson has been the subject of some
dispute; both North and South Carolina have
claimed it. He was born at the home of an
uncle in the Valley Of the Waxhaws few
days after his fathers funeral, but there were
two uncles, and it has always been uncertain
which one furnished the hospitality for his
birth. Mr.. Jsmes says that it makes no diff
ference, as both houses we're in South Carolina
at the time of his birth, though the boundary
was later changed.
jackson had scant childhood, as his mother
was poor and had three children to support,
but Andrew received the best education Of
the three and could read when he was S.
The reason for this favortism was that his
mother had selected him for the preacher Of
the family, and his ''precocity in the unortho-
dox use Of biblical names" which might have
disturbed her pious ambition, did not have
that effect because he was very considerate
q ohra1 fno h0I1 E1nrf1lp
his mothers wishes did not prevail for Jack
son would have made a poor ornament for
the pulpit and one Of the most picturesque men
Of action IN our history would have been lost
During the Revolution when he was II,
he was taken prisoner and, on refusing to clean
the boots Of a British officer, was slashed on
the head and left hand by the officers sword
His hostility to England and Englishmen was
lifelong. During his law-student days at
Salisbury, N. c.. he reputed to be "the
most roaring, rollicking, game-cocking, horse
racing, card-playing, mischievous fellow that
ever lived in Salisbury" But he was attorney
general for the Western district of North Caro-
lima at 21 a member of Congress from Ten
nessee at % and Judge of the State Superior
Court at 80 "Mr. Justice Jackson had become
q parsonage, his counsel sought, his favor
courted" His expedition against the Greek
Indians made him major general. His cap
ture Of New Orleans, after the treaty Of peace
for the War Of 1912 had been signed but be-
fore the news had reached this country, made
him national hero. That he invaded Florida
and left 1t a conquered province, without any
official authorization from the United States
Government, did not lessen his popularity with
the American people.
Mr.. James tells in detail the circumstances
Of Jacksons marriage to Rachel Donelson
Robards, their discovery that it was irregular,
the second ceremony and then the long naartry-
dom inflicted upon them both by Jacksons
enemies, assisted by the scandal al-mongers who
loved scandal for its own sake. Four years Of
research and a narrative historical style free
from pendantry have gone into the making of
this biography by the winner of the Pulitzer
Prize for his biography of Sam Houston, ''The
Raven" Mr.. James has followed the trail OF
jackson in the Carolinas, Tennessee and at
New Orleans, and has studied much new docu-
mentary material including a collection Of
over 1000 jackson letters in the Library of
Congress.
VIVA VILLA: A Recovery OF the Real Pancho
Villa, Peon, Bandit, Soldier, Patriot BY
Edgcumb Pinchon. New York: Harcourt,
THE reason why Pancho Villa has grown to
the stature Of saint, almost a god, in the
minds Of the humblest Mexican people becomes
apparent In this biography. peon himself,
villa understood the peon nature and needs
and had no difficulty in drawing to his leader
ship peon army In the uprising Of the Mex
lean Revolution Of 1910. AS a bandit he had
some of the qualities attributed to Robin Hood
He robbed mining diligences "sagging with sill
yer bar for the Golfers Of foreign concession
aires" stole the cattle from the swollen herds
Of great cattle barons murdered when neces-
sary to accomplish his ends, but fed whole
countryside during famine and did not harm
women and children. Banditry In Mexico has
deep roots "in the socio-economic situation,
and derives historically directly from her hun
dred years Of civil strife Guerrilla warfare is
the characteristic fighting technique of the
peon" After a raid athe entire force fof