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CUTTING DOWN THE HICKORY TREE AND DISTURBING THE CROW'S NEST.
   
Complete Explanation:
Figurative portrayal of Whig opposition to the independent treasury or subtreasury system conceived by Jackson and implemented by Van Buren and the Democrats. In a large tree is a nest labeled "Sub Treasury" in which sits an alarmed hen, Andrew Jackson, who says, "Woodman spare that tree!! By the Eternal dont cut it down."

Falling from the tree is a crow with Van Buren's head who exclaims, "I'll never trust to Hickory agin, but go and roost among the "Kabbitches" at Kinderhook." The tree is being felled by Harrison, who wields an axe "Reform," and says, "I used to be a pretty good axe-man when I first lived in a log cabin! I think there's enough left of the old stuff yet to hew down this tree!" Henry Clay and Daniel Webster are pulling it down with a rope.

Clay: "Down with it! it has overshadowed the land long enough, and poisoned every thing with its noxious exhalations!"

Webster: "Pull together and down it must come!"


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