One of the most whimsical yet illustrative legends from the U.S. Presidential Elections involves Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, and a colossal block of cheese. This story, while not directly tied to the mechanics of an election, offers a unique glimpse into the character of Jackson's presidency and the early 19th-century American political landscape.
In 1835, Colonel Thomas S. Meacham of Sandy Creek, New York, sent President Andrew Jackson a mammoth gift: a 1,400-pound block of cheese, measuring four feet in diameter and two feet thick. This was not just any cheese; it was a symbol of patriotic pride and a testament to American ingenuity and abundance. The cheese arrived at the White House with much fanfare, and Jackson, not knowing what else to do with such a gargantuan gift, decided to share it with the public.
In 1837, towards the end of his second term, Jackson threw a public party at the White House, inviting thousands of citizens to partake in the cheese. The event was a spectacle of democracy in action, with people from all walks of life crowding into the presidential mansion to enjoy a piece of the cheese. It was said that the smell of the cheese permeated the White House for weeks afterward, a pungent reminder of Jackson's populist approach to governance.
This cheese party was more than just a quirky historical footnote; it symbolized Jackson's appeal to the common man and his efforts to make the presidency more accessible to the average American. It was a tangible expression of Jacksonian Democracy, emphasizing the importance of the people's participation in their government.