The phrase “great and good” has been applied to several persons, from Darius down to Hugh McNeile. It remained for American genius to raise it to the superlative, and apply it to “Old Hickory.”
1837. Has not “the Greatest and Best” denounced [the State Banks] even with more venom than he ever denounced the great monster and Old Nick himself?…. Let us call to mind the scene exhibited here in March last, when the Greatest and Best was retired from office.—Mr. Wise of Virginia in the House of Repr., Sept. 27: Cong. Globe, pp. 246–7, App.
1838. I do not stand here for the successor to that Greatest and Best. His friends have given him up. The papers indeed may still affect to support him. They may “keep a stiff upper lip,” as the saying is; but the game is up. They know the game is up.—The same, Jan. 2: id., p. 34, App.
1841. I saw a despot, slavishly called “the greatest and best,”… violating with ruthless hand our glorious Constitution…. I feared all was lost.—Mr. Stanly of North Carolina, the same, Feb. 18: id., p. 355, App.
