Year: 1876

cution of the revenue laws, and at no
time probably had there been graver ap-
prehensions for the future of the coun-
try than existed then. It was but the
dark, gloomy omen and forerunner OF
what was to follow afterward in 1861, and
the dread and dismay which then op-
pressed the hearts of all patriots simply
foreshadowed the horrors that came upon
the land from 1861 to 1865.


Gen. Jackson issued his famous proc
lamation warning the people of South
Carolina against any disaffection
to the Government, or any at
tempt to resist the due execution of
laws made by the high authority of Con-
gress, and followed this. great address
by sending troops to Charleston under
the command of Gen. Scott to guaran-
tee and enforce, if need was, the execu-
ton of the revenue laws.


During this eminently critical period
threatening the national peace, Mr.. Cal
houn arose in his place in the Senate
and made the following alarming declara-
ton that South Carolina was in "battle
array, ready to resist the execution of
the iniquitous revenue laws for the col
lection of revenue under an unjust and
unconstitutional tariff. Such was the
dread and fearful impression made on
the minds of Senators and the crowded
audience that for while the feeling was
intensely oppressive and painful, for
it was known that Gen. Jackson was in
tently watching every movement on the
part of the political leaders of South
Carolina, and that had there been an
overt act in the way of resistance, going
so far as to the shedding of blood after
such O speech, there was no knowing
what dire results would have happened
from the stern determination of the
great and patriotic chief then at the
head of public affairs, who it was well
known would never compromise in any
way for the violation of the laws of his
country. 1t was at this momentous
juncture, when Mr.. Calhoun had so
startled and alarmed Senators and
audience, that Mr.. Clayton, of Delaware,
hastily penciled a note to Mr.. Clay, and
sent it by page of the Senate, in these
exciting words "For Gods sake save
him, or he is lost"


Mr.. Clayton we'll knew the inhexible
and indomitable will and temper of An
drew Jackson, and that had there been
blood shed in resisting the revenue
laws after this daringly bold and almost
reasonable speech, that the fate of the
South Carolina Senator was already de-
termined on, and that with such a man
as Jackson in the Presidential chair there
would be no compromise or vacillation
in the discharge of his high and impera-
tive duties.


Mr.. Clay did save him and his State
from a very fearful predicament, and in
his compromise measures at that time
allayed and fully quieted the storm that
seemed ready to burst over the Govern
ment and the country.


Gen. Jackson's frmness of''character,
his determination to submit to no wrong
to the Government at home or abroad,
made him feared and respected every
where. Witness the action of France
in settling up long delay arrears of debt
to the United States when the old soldier
and statesman had it intimated to the
French Government through our minis
ter at Versailles that the time had come
for settlement, and that no further de-
lay could be tolerated with proper re-
gard to our national honor.


With the people of the District of
Columbia, where he lived as President
for eight years, he was greatly respected
and beloved. They soon learned to
know his infexible justice and his fixed
rule of action with regard to all transac-
tions between the officers and employees
of the Government :.and the people of
the District. He would not allow any
long continued Indebtedness on the part
of officials who were receiving their
monthly pay from the Government, and
who on account of being in the receipt
of such Government pay had received
credit for any kind of supplies or ac-
commodations. Knowing this, he was
very frequently appealed to by creditors
against their delinquent customers, and
they never failed to secure liquidation
of the Indebtedness, or so secured as
to guarantee speedy payment. One
of these applications to the Gen
eral, and which created much
amusement at the time, was that
of lady who kept boarding house,
and with whom young man from Ten
nessee, a clerk in one of the depart
ments, and of family for whom the
President had warm regard and friend
ship, had boarded for several months
without paying his board bill, and with
little apparent likelihood that he intend
ed paying it very soon, and for which she
was greatly in want. The General list
ened to her complaint very patiently,
and with his usual kindness and courtesy
to the fair sex, and when she had told
him her story he advised her to get the
gentleman's note for what he owed her.
AT this the poor lady's heart sank, and
she said, General, what good will his
note do me2 He will care as little about
paying note as the open account have
handed him so frequently"-but her
heart grew something lighter when the
President told her to get the note and
bring it to him-for she saw that there
might be something in it. She went
home and very readily got the required
note, as the gentleman said he was very
willing to give it, and would include the
interest, az she should not lose the in
terest as long as he owed her hereafter.
Smiling at the hberality of her debtor,
she returned to the President and sub
mitted TO him the document, wondering
what would be the next move toward