The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-21


denee. and the country would resume her erect
and prosperous career
He appealed TO those with whom he had
always acted, not to surrender that plan Of
reform in the currency, which they had all
together urged and advocated during the adj
.minislraiion Of General jackson; that reform
which contemplated the enlargement. Of the
specie circulation, by the prohibition Of small
notes, and the attainment Of which, in the
language Of President jackson, would form
an era in the history Of our country, which
would be dwelt upon with delight by every
true friend Of its liberty and independence"
He appealed to the patriotism Of the gentle
men ia the Opposition, who might forego
their favorite but fruitless project for Ma
tional Bank, and very reasonably support a
bill which he believed would afford relief to
the country, and was at least less danger
Gus in its tendency than the proposition that
had been submitted. While he described the
actual condition Of the country, and pointed
to the appropriate remedies with great clear
ness and force, he reminded the Senate of the
duties Of statesmen at such crisis, and the
necessity Of adapting their expedients to the
exigencies Of the occasion. He introduced
the authority Of jefferson, and Of Madison, Of
Dallas and Gallatin, to sustain his positions,
and trusted that the Senate would be delibe-
rate in its action upon measure Of 50 much
importance to the country. As the motives
Of men, at such times, were very likely to be
misrepresented, he begged to say, that he.
had not now, never had, and never expected
to have, any pecuniary interest in any bank or
banks; that he had no other motive but the
welfare Of the whole country.
We have heard il remarked, that Mr..
Rives' position is peculiar The only pecu-
liarity we can perceive about it is, cOnsist-
eney, and an uncompromisiag adherence to
principle. He stands upon the ground occu-
pied by jefferson and Madison, and until very
recently, by General jackson; his doctrines
are in strict conformity with the understand
ing upon which Mr.. VAN buren, came into
power, and, as we believe, coincide with the
feelings and interests Of the great body Of the
American people. Prejudice, that "spider
Of the mind" may exist against him but pre-
JUDGES and jealousies should be discarded
from generous and magnanimous spirits, and
surrendered, where he is willing to meet all
in spirit of cancellation and compromise, at
the altar of the country. If there be any
doubts in regard to the wishes Of the people,
il may at least be recollected, that Mr. Rives
speaks the sentiments Of Virginia. Judge
him by his works, by his doctrines; weigh
them in the scale Of party or Of patriotism
regard their application to the great interests
Of the country he is, no doubt, content to
stand or fall by them In these times per-
sonal motives should be placed out Of view
the country demands the disinterested excr-
tons Of all her sons. Let us adhere to prin-
ciples, and regard such expedients only as
will subserve the welfare of the country, and
at the same time, promote the interest Of the
Republican party, and the administration BY
which it is represented In all our counsels,
actions, and measures, let our conduct be
practically regulated by the beautiful maxim
Of Augustin "In those things which are
essential, let there be unity; in non-essen-
tials, liberty and in all things, charity"
Mr.. RvEs Speech will be speedily issued
from this Office in pamphlet form.