Monday, January 14, 2013

Andrew Jackson on Himself as David and Henry Clay as Goliath.

Andrew Jackson on Himself as David and Henry Clay as Goliath:

It appears we live in evil times, when those exalted to high dignified & honorable stations have abandoned the course dictated by truth & honor, and move on to self agrandisement regardless of the use of means by which it may be acquired. What wickedness would not men commit who, for political effect would falsly assail female charecter that they might rule. I have always thought Clay corrupt, that he would do any thing to promote his own views—but I was not prepared to believe, untill I reed the proof, that the Secrataries of War & Navy, were base anough to enter into his views, become his panders, secretely to slander me, but it appears I put too high a value on their honor & attachment for truth—Under all circumstances that surround me, I confess it requires much philosophy to bear things with calmness & equanimity of temper—My political enemies have not Judged of me rightly—they cannot provoke me to an act of rashness—should the uncircumcised philistines send forth their Golia[t]h to destroy the liberty of the people & compel them to worship Mamon, they may find a David who trusts in the god of Abraham Isaac and of Jacob, for when I fight, it is the battles of my country. I am calm & composed, trusting in the Lord of hosts, I believe him Just; and therefore look forward to a time when retributive Justice will take place, & when Just attonement can be required and enforced. . . . Mr. C. it is said, is very wroth & threatens as loud as the champion of the Philistines did of old.

Source: Andrew Jackson to Robert Young Hayne, July 9, 1827. The Papers of Andrew Jackson. Harold D. Moser et al. editors. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 2002. Volume 6, p. 357.