The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-01-10

LJ1Sfk DTateu us the Butte Oh New Orleans,
!. XWT1WH 1t WIS not fought there but DIT least
FU WSNM Y miles away. So the Bnftle of
IElze.@ Chalmette would be the more accu-
0ymh rate name for 1t.
go 1t was battle fought between the
hec armies of two nations who were
technically at peace, because the
treaty ending the between them had been
signed two weeks previously So It would seem
that the - Americans and the 29l British who
were killed Gas well MS those of the 80 American
and the 1,262 British wounded who died later)
persisted In vain and that this might properly
be called 1.-THE most useless battle In history
Yet 1t was not. Even though 1t was a brilliant
victory. from the strictly military point of view
1t had no value insofar as it had no influence
on the peace treaty ending the war. But from
the diplomatic angle 1t was tremendously mpor-
tant
During the time the American and British
peace commissioners at Client were wrangng
over the terms Of that treaty, the representa-
tves OF England We're holding an ace up their
sleeves They knew that General Pakenham with
his 10000 veterans was on his way to capture
New Orleans and they were confident that he
would do 1t. They were thinking Of this and Of
Louisiana Territory which Jefferson had pur-
chased from Napoleon II years earlier when they
emphaticnly declared to the American commits
soners: I'VE do not admit BOnapartes construc-
ton OF the laws of the nations. We cannot ac-
tept it In relation to any matter before us
So If Pakenham had been successful; II he
had defeated "Old Hickory Jackson. who was
defending New Orleans. and captured that city,
Great Britain, basng her claim upon the dec
laration OF her commissioners that Napoleon had
right to sell Louisiana to the United States,
would have declared that the Treaty Of Client
did not apply to Louisiana and, with pakenham
In control OF New Orleans, would probably have
made her claim good So perhaps those frontiers
men who lost their lives at Chalmette did not
die In vain.
Besides being celebrated In Louisiana as New
Orleans day, January s Is also observed In other
parts of the country Jackson day, rallying
time for members of the political party pledged
toNthe principles of "Jacksonian Democracy" 1t
would seem more appropriate If the Democrats
had made March Is, their heros birthday, Jack
son day. Or they might have selected November
3, 1929, a date to commemorate for it was
on that day that the principles of "JacksonIany
Democracy" first triumphed and sent "Old Hicl(
DRY" to the White House. So the observance OF
the date of military victory for a political
purpose Is something Of d paradox and there
are those who would declare that the departure
of the Democratic party Of today from those
historic principles makes 1t all the more para
doxica
Another paradox connected with this historic
event, which occurred Just 40 years ago. has to
do with Its Immediate results. AS might have
been expected, Jacksops victory made him the
hero Of the hour In New Orleans Of the recep-
tion which awaited him when he returned there
from the battlefield Of Chalmette, Marquis James
In his Andrew Jacksonville Border Captain
published last year by the Bobbs-Merrill com
pany, says:
The city gave him Latin welcome
Pierre Favrot. seated by window overlooking
the Place nArmes. undertook to describe 1t to
his wife. AT this moment there than
$500 people in the Place awaiting the arrival
of the General II. at least 900 women, ladies 4
young girls New Orleans gave itself over TO
feting the heroes and Monsieur Fayrot wrote no
more that day. The rlgors Of the siege were for
gotten. Jackson suspended the nine o'clock cur
few and the gaiety lasted into the night In the
morning Favrot finished his letters A. Nj.
Never my dear. have ! seen such crowd
All the troops arriving to the strains Of military
music 4 Of the cannons more than 1000
people of whom 5000 were armed -. Tomorrow
they will crown the General. twelve young
girls will strew his path with flowers -
This they did on the morrow. and much more
"At the door OF the church he was received by
the Able DuBourg in his robes of office and
attended by a college of priests. +. The choir
began to chant the majestic Tines of the re
Deuni. The people in the church took up the
hymn 1t spread to the lips Of the throng that
filled the square as all New Orleans poured forth
Its gratitude for deliverance"
But that gratitude was short-liyed, and the
hero Of yesterday was, In their minds, tyrant
the next day, when New Orleans awakened
somewhat amazed to find itself, to all intents
once more In state Of siege The tight restric
lions of martial law were reimposed. Militia
companies which had looked forward to prompt
disarmament were marched into camps and set
to drilling. Reserve companies not under arms
before because there we're arms TO give them
were called out, the diatory cargo Of War de-
partment rifles having arrived Andrew Jackson