OPINION — We’ve all experienced mortifying moments. Like a bad case of hiccups in the middle of a wedding service. Or an uncontrollable outburst of the giggles at a high school graduation. Situations that spoil a special moment.
Such an unfortunate incident occurred 181 years ago this spring, marring a former president’s sendoff. And the horrified mourners couldn’t believe the culprit responsible for it.
For decades, Andrew Jackson had seemed indestructible. The Tennessee soldier, planter and politician wasn't nicknamed “Old Hickory” for being soft and cuddly. He was fond of bellowing, “By the Eternal!” for emphasis. (It was considered less blasphemous than the alternative phrase.)
