Senator Jim Webb ran for the U.S. Senate in 2006 on a platform of “Jacksonian Democracy,” committing to restore a basic level of fairness to the American people.
Since taking office, his steadfast commitment to this goal has not gone unnoticed.
Last week, Senator Webb was invited to visit Andrew Jackson’s home, The Hermitage, and received the “2010 Andrew Jackson Presidential Award for Citizenship and Leadership. The recognition honors national leaders who embody the legacy of Andrew Jackson by demonstrating a “dedication to the furtherance of our American democracy and to sound governance principles.”
Below is an excerpt from Senator Webb’s speech:
In terms of accomplishing change in America, there is no political leader in our history whom I admire more than Andrew Jackson.
When I think about Andrew Jackson, I am struck by the unique impact that he had on this country. His presidency was the first that did not come out of the landed English aristocracy in the South or the English American elite in New England. He was the first Scots-Irish president, the first “bottom-up” president, and he faced enormous challenges inside the existing political structure. Thomas Jefferson said he was a dangerous man, unfit to be president. John Quincy Adams called him a barbarian. When it is said that he changed the face of American politics, he really did.
This was an individual who sincerely and fiercely cared and believed in protecting the working people—the people who carried the load of society. He was forced to confront the powers that threatened the very fabric of our society. I think about his accomplishments and the way he faced these issues when I face similar issues in the U.S. Senate today.
He prevented the creation of a permanent aristocracy in this country. He knew how to govern. He knew how to lead. He knew how to make decisions. And, people knew he meant what he said.
Legislation creating the Second National Bank came before him that would have allowed a permanent aristocracy, accountable to governmental force. An overwhelming majority of Congress and the press agreed that this legislation should go through.
Andrew Jackson knew that if he vetoed this legislation, they were going to try to veto him. But he did.
Scholars agree that this was the most important presidential veto in American history. Pulitzer prize winning historian Vernon Louis Parrington called it the most courageous political act in American history.
In his veto message, Jackson said:
“Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth cannot be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every person is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society-the farmers, mechanics, and laborers-who have neither the time nor the means of securing favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses.”
The truth of that statement resounds today in numerous pieces of legislation we face in the United States Congress. The courage that it took to confront the forces of entrenched interests in order to challenge the conscience of all Americans also exists today. That is my duty. I continue in that tradition. That is the reason that I so respect this great leader. And, it is also the reason I am so grateful to receive this award.
Webb for Senate
www.webbforsenate.com
