VINTAGE PHOTOGRAVURE: PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON W/ DEDICATION BY WHEELER

PHOTOGRAVUERE OF PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON 

WITH ADDITIONAL PRINTED PAGE OF A WRITTEN DEDICATION TO PRESIDENT JACKSON BY MAJOR-GENERAL JOS. WHEELER, United States Army

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Full Text of Dedication

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Jackson

HERE are many things for which Jackson will be remembered by future generations. I should be inclined to say, however, that his most distinguished characteristics were an iron will and unyielding firmness. Andrew Jackson was a great man in very many ways, conspicuously so in upholding with truth and purity the doctrines of the founders of the Republic.

He will be remembered both as a statesman and as a warrior, but chiefly as a statesman. You see he was never in any great battle with the exception of the battle of New Orleans, which was his

greatest victory. But the relative importance of his deeds on the battlefield as compared with those as a legislator and as President is not great. Speaking of the battle of New Orleans, there is no question but that the heroic conduct of the officers and men of the Brig Armstrong at the battle of Fayal, had the effect of retarding the British fleet, and thus preventing reinforcements from being sent to Packenham in time to crush the Americans engaged in the defense of New Orleans.

Of course, Jackson made some wonderful campaigns in the Indian wars.

He

distinguished himself greatly, but it was only in the fight with Packenham that he had to contend against a highly civilized race. You must remember that the same regiments which he defeated at New Orleans were afterwards in the battle of Waterloo with very different results.

As a statesman, the thing in which Jackson was pre-eminent was for upholding the agricultural and manufacturing interests of the country. Jackson shared the views entertained by Washington and Jefferson relative to the superior importance of our agricultural interests compared with commerce and manufactures. This will be evident from the part in this Message, which I will quote: "The agricultural interest of our country is so essentially connected with every other, and so superior in importance to them all, that it is scarcely necessary to invite to it your particular attention. It is principally as manufactures and commerce tend to increase the value of agricultural productions, and to extend their application to the wants and comforts of society, that they deserve the fostering care of government." Jackson also says:

"While the chief object of duties should be revenue, they may be so adjusted as to encourage manufactures." But he strictly adheres to his demand for light taxes on necessities.

President Jackson was strenuously opposed to any system which might by any possibility tend to establish monopolies.

It was upon this subject that he gave utterance to these memorable

words:

The ambition which eads me on is an anxious desire and rixed determination to persuade my countrymen, so far as I may, that it is not in a splendid government

supported by powerful monopoles and aristocratical establishments that they will find happiness or the protection of their liberties; but in a plain system, void of pomp, protecting all and granting favors to none, dispensing its blessings like the dews of heaven, unseen and unfelt, save in the freshness and beauty they contribute to produce." Gen. Jackson also adds this great and undeniable truth: It is such a government that the genius of our people requires such a one only under which our States may remain for ages to come united, prosperous and free." ��� It is in view of such utterances as these that I say that Jackson's future place in history

will depend upon his utterances as a statesman, rather than his deeds as a warrior.

Caution

has been the admonition of the thoughtful and painstaking Monroe,

"caution"

was the

keynote of the policy upon this important question recommended by the impetuous and dauntless Jackson.

Ian Where,