Evening star., 1937-01-16

proved to be ouitclaim title to the
White House Old King Caucus went
headlong, lost his crown. broke his
scepter and emerged minus a portion
of his trousers. Roosevelt defied con-
vention when he took control of the
Democratic party from the hands Of
Smith, titular head by reason of his
having been candidate for the presi-
dency. He disposes of opposition by
the whelming method. Jackson did
1t by "givin' - them tn pint in tn
belly" as he once advised a young
friend. The youth, with a fight on
his hands, came to Uncle Andy for
advice. "Yank palm of tn fence
an give him tn pint in tn belly:
it'll work." counseled the fortnight
battler.
r EGARDING the courage OF the two
Presidents the scales seem to
balance. If there is difference, in
my opinion, it favors Franklin D.
Roosevelt. Compare occasions when
each was under fire in personal en-
counters.
A young man named Charles Dick
inson spoke lightly OF the character
of Rachel Jackson-than whom none
could have been more above re-
proach-and thereby earned for him.
self place in the history books. But
he paid high price-an ounce of lead
in the abdomen. Jackson, because he
was less Schooled in law than in life,
married Rachel Donelson Robards be
fore she had obtained a divorce She
and Andy both believed the decree
had been granted. but he, a lawyer,
failed to make certain. That one mis-
take followed them through life,
wreaking a most cruel vengeance
Dickinson had the bad taste and
abominable judgment to refer to the
contretemps and jackson called him
out.
On the way to the meeting place,
in Kentucky. jackson confided to q
friend that he felt certain Dickinson,
the best pistol shot in all Tennessee, ="
where good pistol shots were plenty,
would hit him. But I'll shut his lynn
mouth with lead, even if he shoots me
through tn head"
Dickinson did not do exactly that,
but he did send bullet into JackSon's
body where he thought it would find
the heart. 1t cracked the breast bone
and shattered rib or two. But Andy
was still on his feet, one boot filling
with blood. Steadying himself. he
raised his pistol. aimed and fired.
No need to comment on where the
lead lodged it was in strict conform
ity with. the Jackson method. Dick
inson was carried from the field, dy-
ing.
At Miami, as is well remembered.
an assassin shot at the President and
mortally wounded Mayor Cermak Of
Chicago, who was riding in the auto
mobile beside him. The Mayor lurched
convuIsively at the impact of the bull
let tell from the car to lie helpless
on the running board. The men
guarding the President shouted to the
chauffeur to speed away. The aSsas-
sins revolver cracked above the sound
of their voices to give point to the
command. Franklin d. Roosevelt,
unable to rise from the seat and seek
safety unaided, was steadfast, and, II
fearful for his own life, did not
show it.
Instead of panic. there was cool
ness. He halted the car and when
driven away the wounded man was in
his arms, thus to be borne to hos
pital, where he died. Meanwhile, two
other persons were wounded, not Sc
riously, by the flying bullets. each in
tended for the back Of the President,
who would not desert stricken friend.
That courage Is, think, of a little
higher order than the dauntlessness
Of man. upright on his legs. though