“Governor Clay, of Alabama, was near General Jackson, who was himself sitting on a sofa in the hall, and as each person entered, the governor introduced him to the hero and he passed along.  When Judge Douglas was thus introduced, General Jackson raised his still brilliant eyes and gazed for a moment in the countenance of the judge, still retaining his hand.  ’Are you the Mr. Douglas, of Illinois, who delivered a speech last session on the subject of the fine imposed on me for declaring martial law at New Orleans?’” asked General Jackson.

“’I have delivered a speech in the House of Representatives upon that subject,’ was the modest reply of our friend.

“‘Then stop,’ said General Jackson; ’sit down here beside me.  I desire to return you my thanks for that speech.  You are the first man that has ever relieved my mind on a subject which has rested upon it for thirty years.  My enemies have always charged me with violating the Constitution of my country by declaring martial law at New Orleans, and my friends have always admitted the violation, but have contended that circumstances justified me in that violation.  I never could understand how it was that the performance of a solemn duty to my country—­a duty which, if I had neglected, would have made me a traitor in the sight of God and man, could properly be pronounced a violation of the Constitution.  I felt convinced in my own mind that I was not guilty of such a heinous offense; but I could never make out a legal justification of my course, nor has it ever been done, sir, until you, on the floor of Congress, at the late session, established it beyond the possibility of cavil or doubt.  I thank you, sir, for that speech.  It has relieved my mind from the only circumstance that rested painfully upon it.  Throughout my whole life I never performed an official act which I viewed as a violation of the Constitution of my country; and I can now go down to the grave in peace, with the perfect consciousness that I have not broken, at any period of my life, the Constitution or laws of my country.’

“Thus spoke the old hero, his countenance brightened by emotions which it is impossible for us to describe.  We turned to look at Douglas—­he was speechless.  He could not reply, but convulsively shaking the aged veteran’s hand, he rose and left the hall.  Certainly General Jackson had paid him the highest compliment he could have bestowed on any individual."[184]

When the August elections had come and gone, Douglas found himself re-elected by a majority of fourteen hundred votes and by a plurality over his Whig opponent of more than seventeen hundred.[185] He was to have another opportunity to serve his constituents; but the question was still open, whether his talents were only those of an adroit politician intent upon his own advancement, or those of a statesman, capable of conceiving generous national policies which would efface the eager ambitions of the individual and the grosser ends of party.