Davy Crockett
Idolized and exemplified by many David Crockett was a remarkable politician and an ideal American pioneer. Though he was a tangible person much of Crockett's life history is replaced with fictional stories created both before and after his death. Born the fifth of nine children on August 17, 1786, David Crockett began his life in an isolated county in Eastern Tennessee. From early childhood Crockett knew first-hand the brutalities of frontier life. Cherokee Indians murdered both of his grandparents before he was born. Contracted to a cattle drover at only twelve years old Crockett escaped after the drover kept him far past the term of his contract. Having no luck with formal education, David ran away from home in 1799 when he was only thirteen. Crockett's youthful years were a challenging experience, though his adulthood would demonstrate even more challenges and adversaries. A legend in his time and since, David Crockett used his backwoods charm, strong morals, and ev!en a little deception to advance in his political pursuits in Tennessee. Crockett began his political profession as a local justice in an unorganized county, which is presently known as Giles County, Tennessee. This region was not composed of the wealthy
ught of having to make a speech made my knees feel mighty weak, and set my heart to fluttering almost as bad as my first love-scrape with the Quaker's niece. But as good luck would have it, these big candidates spoke nearly all day, and when they quit the people were worn out with fatigue." When it was Crockett's turn to speak, he simply told a laughable story which lifted the audience and quit. His short and simple stories proved victorious over the long and drawn out speeches delivered by his opponents. After the election results were counted, Crockett overwhelmingly defeated his opponents and secured his seat in the State Legislature. Many peers in the legislature noted the humor and good sense he added to ordinary matters. Crockett achieved his position in the State legislature only after using his humor, wit, and questionable tactics that had always aided him in his ambitions. right, as individuals, to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as members of Congress we have no right so to appropriate a dollar of the public money. Some eloquent appeals have been made to us upon the ground that it is a debt due the deceased. Mr. Speaker, the deceased lived long after the close of the war; he was in office to the day of his death, and I have never heard that the government was in arrears to him." Crockett later proposed that each member of congress give one week's pay to the widow, which was accepted and implemented. The speech has served since as a basic policy, that Congress does not hold the power to give to charity, and thus Crockett's speech was name "Not Yours to Give." After two terms in Congress he was defeated for his outspoken opposition to President Jackson's Indian Bill, but was once again elected the following term. In Washington, although his differences in dress and manner warranted many comments, he was alway! David Crockett's legend would continue to spread even after his death; his charm, morals, and cunning would prove a base for the many folk tales that would ensue in and around Tennessee. He had humble begging's, but used his natural abilities to rise higher than anyone could have expected. Life proved difficult for Crockett, a lack of formal education and slan
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Approximate Word count = 1508
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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