The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-06
WHAT CHANGE HAS COME OVER
T1So

The alarming attacks made and threat
ened upon members of Congress by differ
ent DULLES of the Houston School, saws the
Portland Advertiser, is calculated TO awak-
en- every rejecting american, and to cause
him to inquire howit happens, that such
brawls, unknown to the previous history OF
our government, tale place under this adj
minstration? How happens it that men,
bers of Congress, away from their family
and friends, are in perpetual peril of life
and limb: Was it so in former AMI better
days! Was it so in Washington's time ?
or during the Presidency of his successors
1t certainly requires no effort TO see, that
these murderous attacks, occurring in the
city where is located our capitol, are well
calculated to disgrace lis in the estimation
OF foreign nations, whose ambassadors are
in Washington, and who, of course, report
concerning us at home but what adds TO
this disgrace is the fact, that such attacks
are made by the Presidents friends upon
members of Congress, for words spoken in
dabate, and made too in the very precincts
of the capitol, on the terrace that surrounds
Uncertainty such fact is calculated to
dishonor and humiliate us yet more.
We recur 10 the past administration of
Gen. jackson with regret, because il is
stained by violence and disgrace. The ia
tality of being engaged 10, OF of being the
cause OF evils seems to attend him. Ne saw
nothing here of his violence in Florida. his
conduct in the Seminole war, his imprison-
ment of Judge at New Orleans, which.
though the theatre of his glory, has a large
majority of voters against him, because there
he kaan,Dn pofh,nrr oFt h. q
the execution of the six militia men-noth-
\ ing OF his threat to cut off Senator's ears
let them all pass, and let US recur to the
period when he first stood before the peo-
pie as their President Has not wide
spreading, desolating Prescription followed
all who have opposed his measures and who
did oppose him? Has not one Cabinet
been broken mp, because the wives of men,
bers would not associate with woman of
questionable character? Was not Mr..
1ngham waylad? Mr.. Berrien threaten
ed? and the city of Washington pu. in such
an uproar as alarmed the whole country ?
Did not Col Johnson once picture the Presi-
dent in the forcible phrase of Roaring
Lion !?
Pass over all these things-forget all
and can we be 80 blind to what is now do
ing? Houston, a Tennessean, from Jack
sons own State, once IFS Governor. comes
to Washington. He is admitted TO the
Presidents house,as companion and friend.
He publicly declares his determination to
punish member OF Congress for words
spoken in debate. No effort is made to re-
strain him. The fight takes place-Jack-
son justihes it-rondemns Congress, and
says, club should be hung over the door
OF Congress, labelled, 6" for the sianderer. !"
Mr.. Bairngcr heard the declaration. The
Rev. Mr.. Danforth confirms it. A proposal
IS made for inqulring into its truth. The
jackson majority in the House smother the
inquiry. Anon, Houston's friend, a Major
Heard. who, in his card, refers TO r. M.
Johnson to vouch for his character, comes
forth IN the Globe with a threat. He 10
patted on his shoulders by the Presidents
Iricnds. soon the assassin stalks on the
sa''red ground ofthe Capitol, with his cane.
his pistol, and dirk, and n member of Con.
gress mlraculonsly escapes with his life.
ms over, DR.. Davis, who presents the
President with hickory canes, and who has
his correspondence on this subject publish
cd in the Globe, is threatening another
member OF Gongres W no is obliged daily to
go " the House, and to legislate with a
brace OF pistols, dirk, and a cane.
Such things MS these were unknown in
The better days Of The republic. If we had
pfehictcd them two years ago, the Argus
would have scandalized us with the sever
est repronches. Yet they are now true,
true-too true.
Think now with what anxiety and fear.
iolness wife, family, or friend must
view the position of n member of Cong ress
rom whom they are distant hundreds of
miles, IT Mr. Arnold has family, how
acute their sufferings If Mr.. Cooke has
wi,e 10 Ohio, with what circulating anxiety
WIZ she watch every mail, and trembe lest
each newspaper she opens shall inform her