The Taylor-Trotwood Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 6, March 1907 — John Shaqi
The Taylor-Trotwood Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 6, March 1907Various
History
The Taylor-Trotwood Magazine, Vol. IV, No. 6, March 1907
Various
American literature -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Southern States -- Periodicals
What was the secret of Jackson’s power? Whence came the attraction that
drew men to him as the magnet draws the needle? It is not difficult to
find the secret of his popularity with the pioneers. He appealed to them
through his devotion to the “sport of kings,” for no man loved a fast
horse or would risk more upon its prowess than he, and he led the sport
in which the people most delighted. And then he stood first in all the
feats of daring to which frontiersmen were addicted—a perfect shot,
swift of foot, a mighty wrestler, capping it all off with a spirit of
chivalrous gallantry and a gentlemanly bearing that rendered him superb.
But what drew the sage of Monticello to him? What gave him such mastery
in statecraft and charmed men to his standard? It was his inherent,
unswerving love of human liberty, his tense loyalty and stern faith in
the institutions of his country, his immaculate conception of right and
duty, and the superb fearlessness that possessed him, that made the man
_convincing_.
It is said that Jackson has more biographers than any other national
character. His career was so replete with incidents inviting
interpretation that writers are drawn to it like flies about the
sugar-bowl. Of no other man can historians resort to panegyric in
substitute of statement and be justified by public criticism. There are
perhaps more anecdotes told of him than any other public man, and never
one that does not denote courage and power and strength. Indicative of
his intuitive powers of quick decision is the story that when the subject
of a site for a new treasury building to replace that burned by the
British was broached one day, he was walking on Pennsylvania Avenue. With
instant emphasis, he struck his stick upon the ground and said: “Put it
here!” And there it stands to-day.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account