Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1894 — OLD HICKORY. [ARTICLE]

OLD HICKORY.

I’wo Characteristic Anecdotes of the Hero of New Orleans. Washiggton Post, General Armstrong, Assistant Commissioner oL Indian. Affairs, thinks that Andrew Jackson was one of the greatest men this country ever produced, and has a number of stories which were told him by his uncle, who was an intimate friend of Old Hickory. One of them is very characteristic of the man. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War, was over at the White House one day with some important papers for the President to sign,among them being a courtmartial findings. “Cass, what is this?’* inquired Jackson, as he Whs about to writehis name to the document. “It is a court martial,” answered Cass. “What have I to do with it?” asked the President. “It dismisses an officer from the service, and the President must sigu such orders.” Jackson toyed with the paper and said, musingly, “Dismisses him from the army, eh? Why?” “Drunkenness; getting drunk and falling down on parade, or something of that kind,” answered the Secretary, “Who ordered the court?” asked Jackson. “Gen. Scott,” answered Cass. “Who is it?” inquired the President. with more interest. “Inspector-General Kraun,” replied Cass. “Whatl” shouted Jackson. “My old friend Kraun! Cass, just read what that papers says.” The Secretary read the usual form of the court martial sentence in such cases. The President then took the paper and wrote across the bottom where he was about to sign his name: “The within findings are disapproved, and Col. Kraun is restored to his duty and rank.” He passed the paper back to SecJ ret,ary Cass, and said, with his usual vehemence: “By the Eternal! Cass, when you and Scott serve your country as well as that man has you can get drunk on duty every day.” A young man from Tennessee, son pf a friend of Gen. Jackson, came to Washington for a place. He looked about and found what he wanted. It was in the war department, and filled by a very efficient Whig, whom | Secretary Cass would not remove.

The young man told Jackson the) situation, and Cass was sent for. “Cass,” said the President, “this young man, son of my old friend, says you have got a place in the War Department filled by a Whig which you won’t give him.” i Secretary Cass explained that the duties of the office were of a pecu- t liar kind, and he could get no one to . fill the place if the man now in it should be removed. Jackson flared up. “By the Eternal, Cass, do you ! mean to tell me you have an office in your department filled by a Whig which can’t be filled by a Democrat? Then abolish the office. ” . - r~-. r The young man got his place.