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.
