It is not in retrospect difficult to measure the advantages which Jackson possessed in the long contest, and to see clearly the reasons of his final triumph over the boldest of leaders, the noblest of foes.

Still less is it difficult to see how largely the personality of the two men entered into the struggle, and how in the end the effect upon the politics and prosperity of the country would have been nearly the same had the winner and the loser exchanged places.

In each of them patriotism was a passion.
There never was a moment in their prolonged enmity and their rancorous contests when a real danger to the country would not have united them as heartily as in 1812, when Clay in the House and Jackson on the field co-operated in defending the national honor against the aggressions of Great Britain.
The election of Mr.Polk was an unquestionable verdict from the people in favor of the annexation of Texas.

Mr.Clay and Mr.Van Buren had been able to defeat the treaty negotiated by Mr.Calhoun; but the popular vote overruled them, and pronounced in favor of the Democratic position after full and fair hearing.

Mr.Tyler was anxious that the scheme so energetically initiated by him should be fully accomplished during his term.