Revenge as well as political vindication. Over the vicious campaign of 1828, saw Jackson’s victory as sweet His supporters, provoked by the rancorous election of 1824 and angry 4 The people had gotten out of hand-Jackson’s opponents thought it an apt evaluation of the election as well as the inaugural reception-but whether they had done no real harm in either instance was a matter of opinion. Senator James Hamilton of South Carolina, a Jackson supporter, struck a balance when he described the event as a “regular Saturnalia,” but with the qualification that most of the damage was trivial. To others, the much-reported mayhem demonstrated the danger of giving the ungovernable rabble political rights. 3 That such people were even present at so august an event represented the triumph of democracy to some. Men in work boots, straining to see Jackson, stood on expensive upholstered furniture. Waiters trying to maneuver with a large bowl of spiked orange punch crashed into a crowd and spilled it all on the carpet. The surging crowd made mingling impossible, and as people pushed toward Jackson and lunged toward refreshments, they collided with fragile furniture and shoved servants laden with punch bowls and trays of food. Renowned visitors greeted him first, but ordinary folk soon rushed forward to shake his hand and offer best wishes. Jackson’s arrival at the house amplified an already chaotic situation. Instead, it would be when “the majesty of the people” 1 descended on the presidential “Palace” 2 to pay respects to the new president. The day’s defining hour, in fact, would not be the unadorned swearing-in at the Capitol. His followers, however, could hardly contain their glee, and, at least for a time, they did not try. After a brief ceremony at the Capitol that March day, at 61 years of age he would also officially be the president of the United States. Washingtonians, generally, were not so cheerful, deeming the admired champion a backwoods barbarian, his associates cronies, and his followers an uncivilized horde.Īndrew Jackson had accumulated affectionate nicknames in his colorful career, a testament to the way other men regarded him: he was Old Hickory to the sinewy soldiers who had marched with him, the Hero of New Orleans to a country grateful for his defense of that city during the War of 1812, and simply “the Gin’ral” to close friends, family, and the vast number of associates who had seen to his election. The “common man” had come to the capital to revel in the installation of a popular champion as chief executive. On March 4, 1829, many in the crowd filling the city thought that Providence was smiling on the country in general and on Washington, D.C., in particular, for they believed that the resolute will of the people had swept from office a corrupt administration.
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