Your Opinion: Turning bills into billboards

Dear Editor:

In my opinion if we must choose someone to replace Andrew Jackson or Alexander Hamilton on U.S. currency it should be Helen Hung Jackson 1830-1885 who became best known for her efforts to secure justice for the American Indians.

In "A Century of Dishonor" 1881, she documented the history of the United States government's mismanagement of Indian affairs. She presented a copy of the book to every member of Congress. Mrs. Jackson then became special commissioner to investigate Indian affairs. In her novel "Ramona" 1884, Jackson dramatized the mistreatment of the Indians. "Ramona" was made into a motion picture in 1910, 1916 and 1928.

The evidence does suggest President Jackson's policies appealed to a wide variety of voters. They had in common a strong belief in states rights and a firm faith in limited government. Jackson was one of the founders of the Democratic party. He believed that the president should use his constitutional powers to the fullest limit.

Jackson vetoed more bills than all the presidents before him put together. He stood ready to argue with Congress or the Supreme Court in the name of all the people. His followers fought for the right of workers to organize labor unions and sought adoption of the secret ballot in elections.

When Jackson began his second term in 1833 he became the first president who had been nominated by a national political convention. During the earlier 1800s the opening of land in the westward movement led to fierce Indian and escaped slaves raiding American settlements.

Jackson next took command of a volunteer force of 2,000 men in a campaign against the Creek Indians who massacred several hundred settlers at Fort Mims in the Mississippi territory (now Alabama). The decisive battle at Horseshoe Bend was fought on March 27, 1814, near present day Alexander City. Jackson allowed the Indian women and children to cross the lines to safety before he attacked. Then his men nearly wiped out the entire Indian force of 800 braves.

"It was only a matter of time before the politically correct establishment took aim at the national currency. The real issue is the propriety of turning dollar bills into billboards and playthings of politically correct politicians and bureaucrats who will change everything to promote their ideological agenda." John Horvat.