Emptying the Kitchen Cabinet



On this date in eighteen hundred and forty-five

The seventh president of the United States died

Eight years after Andrew Jackson's second term ended

Old Hickory passed on ... largely, undefended ...



For, although his administration wielded some enormous power

The man, himself, a large slave-owner, was belittled by the hour

From charges of being dictatorial for his decision to put Federal money in private banks

Gaining him a censure from the Senate, which "King Andrew" expunged without thanks



To the very brink of war with France over their delay in paying off its American debts

And the belittling of "The Jacksonian Democracy" for its assumed soubriquet ...

Which defined its opponents as aristocrats and itself as - the party of the people

When, in fact ... it was they who were the aristocrats, and seen, in some ways, evil ...



For, all around him, Jackson had appointed friends in high places

And most of them were involved in flagrant corruption and about-faces

And they met with him daily in the White House kitchen

Which was emptied completely, after Old Hickory's leaving ...



- Tristram



© Christopher W. Thomas

9:55pm Tuesday, June 8th, 1999