Cartoon of the Day Cartoon by Chon Day Published in our April 7, 1962, issue See more cartoons at https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/category/cartoons-humor/ (fb)

Today in History: Secretary of War Resigns Over Disrespect Toward His Wife In 1829, John and Peggy Eaton came to Washington, where John became part of Andrew Jackson’s cabinet. But the Eatons weren’t accepted by Washington society because of rumors that, Peggy, a former barmaid, had led a scandalous life back in Tennessee. John was an old friend of Jackson’s, who insisted his cabinet members and their wives accept the couple. But led by the wife of Vice President John Calhoun, they refused. The only cabinet member who accepted the Eatons was Martin Van Buren, but he was a bachelor. Finally fed up with the squabbling in his cabinet, Jackson told everyone but the postmaster to clear out. Today in 1832, John Eaton resigned. Jackson didn’t forget the trouble Calhoun and his wife caused him. The president threw his support behind Van Buren as his successor. If not for the scandal around Peggy, John C. Calhoun, a zealous advocate of state’s rights and limited government, could have become president and led America in a quite different direction. “Today in American History with Jeff Nilsson” can be heard on select public radio stations across the U.S. Image: Cigar box lid depicting Peggy O'Neal Eaton (Wikimedia Commons) (fb)