by Tina Grazier
…it was expected of me that I was to bow to the name of Andrew Jackson…even at the expense of my conscience and judgement. such a thing was new to me, and a total stranger to my principles.
by Tina Grazier
Over the course of many months Jack Lee has expressed great disdain for the political machine and for the fundraising demands of running for office. He has expressed frustration in a process that makes the average citizens chance for being elected remote, if not impossible. He has lamented the loss of fresh voices this system engenders.
Jack Lee, a dedicated man of honor, a man who values freedom and loves his country, has been accused of not being serious about his candidacy. I disagree. Jack was very serious about wishing to serve the people, service being a part of his very nature, and he would indeed make a good representative of the people.
Jack Lees plight is hardly new to our republic. Political power and all of the machinations that exist at all levels of politics can work to undermine good peopleas the following historical example demonstrates:
General (Andrew) Jackson was then almost idolized by his party. All through the South and West his name was a tower of strength. Crockett had originally been elected as a Jackson-man. ** Hewas now one of the most inveterate opponents of Jackson. The majority in Crockett’s district were in favor of Jackson. The time came for a new election of a representative. Crockett made every effort, in his old style, to secure the voteBut it was all in vain. ** Greatly to his surprise, and still more to his chagrin, he lost his election. He was beaten by two hundred and thirty votes. The whole powerful influence of the Government was exerted against Crockett and in favor of his competitor. It is said that large bribes were paid for votes. Crockett wrote, in a strain which reveals the bitterness of his disappointment: “I am gratified that I have spoken the truth to the people of my district, regardless of the consequences. I would not be compelled to bow down to the idol for a seat in Congress during life. I have never known what it was to sacrifice my own judgment to gratify any party; and I have no doubt of the time being close at hand when I shall be rewarded for letting my tongue speak what my heart thinks. I have suffered myself to be politically sacrificed to save my country from ruin and disgrace; and if I am never again elected, I will have the gratification to know that I have done my duty. ** Two weeks after this he writes, “I confess the thorn still rankles, not so much on my own account as the nation’s. As my country no longer requires my services, I have made up my mind to go to Texas.
Just before leaving for Texas, he attended a political meeting of his constituents. The following extract from his autobiography will give the reader a very vivid idea of his feelings at the time, and of the very peculiar character which circumstances had developed in him: “A few days ago I went to a meeting of my constituents. My appetite for politics was at one time just about as sharp set as a saw-mill, but late events have given me something of a surfeit, more than I could well digest; still, habit, they say, is second natur, and so I went, and gave them a piece of my mind touching ‘the Government’ and the succession, by way of a codicil to what I have often said before. ** “I told them, moreover, of my services, pretty straight up and down, for a man may be allowed to speak on such subjects when others are about to forget them; and I also told them of the manner in which I had been knocked down and dragged out, and that I did not consider it a fair fight anyhow they could fix it. I put the ingredients in the cup pretty strong I tell you, and I concluded my speech by telling them that I was done with politics for the present, and that they might all go to hell, and I would go to Texas.
I dont know what Jack has in mind for the futurebut, like Davy Crockett, he will not go quietly into defeathe will go on in service to others: his family, his neighbors and friends, his state, and his country. He will stand up for whats right and for the ideals of freedom, integrity, honesty and honor.