A name applied to James K. Polk, by way of comparing him with Andrew Jackson.
1844. [Col. James K. Polk] has been called the “Young Hickory,” as if there was something in that name calculated to excite a prejudice in the minds of the American people. He is emphatically a Young Hickory,—the unwavering friend of Old Hickory in all his trials.—Stephen A. Douglass of Illinois, House of Repr., June 3: Cong. Globe, p. 598, App.
1845. [They] had done us the friendly service of elevating to the highest seat a heroic “Young Hickory.”—Mr. Gordon of N.Y., the same, Dec. 18: id., p. 80.
1846. I call upon you, my countrymen, to come to the rescue of Young Hickory, in the adjustment of the Oregon question without the loss of a square mile.—Mr. L. H. Sims of Missouri, the same, Jan. 5: id., p. 85, App.
1846. In 1844 we told the people that James K. Polk was a “Young Hickory,”—that he had force of character, and would “go ahead.”—Mr. Wick of Indiana, the same, March 30: id., p. 575.
1846. Mr. Culver of N.Y. would have thought much more of their “Young Hickory” if he had shown a little of the manliness of the Old; but he defied his friends to discover one trace of the old horse in the young one.—The same, June 15: id., p. 977.
1846. I believe [Mr. Polk] will turn out to be in truth Young Hickory; that he will tread in the footsteps of Old Hickory; and that in his retirement a grateful country will esteem him whilst living, and venerate his memory when dead.—Mr. McClean of Pa., the same, June 18: id., p. 993.
1846. When “Young Hickory” went to the White House, the spirit of “Old Hickory” did not go with him, but the spirit of Kinderhook—no, of Lindenwold, did, and has abode with him ever since.—Mr. Root of Ohio, the same, Dec. 24: id., p. 225, App.
1847. My impression is that the President and his advisers are more to blame than the party. A little war was necessary to give the crowning glory to the Administration of this Hickory Junior.—Mr. Pendleton of Va., the same, Feb. 22: id., p. 412, App.
