The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-19

Of powerful nation, continuing TO allure the people Of
Canads, by deceptive promises in times OF pressing
cessy, and, when the emergency had passed. resorng
TO every unwanantable expedent TO defer avoid the
inhlment Of their solemn engagements.
Alter seventy-seyen years OF British rule, we be-
hold our country miserable compared with the pros
porous republics who wisely threw of the yoke of
monarchy We feel that our population Is equal
In capacity 10 theirs. We see emigrants from be-
yond seas, of the class wretched II they remain
here happy if they join the great democratic family
and we have daily evidence that our Ill fortunes
attributable to the desolating action Of colonial
government. pretended protection has withered
our energies II has preserved all that was bad in
our ancient institutions untitled to the present
state of society, thwaTted the free operation of all
that was good, and trammelled ty restraints every
means OF reform or amelioraiion,
Whilst every township throughout the immense
territory of our neighbors is happily governed by
It's own democracy, which Is thereby trained from
Its youth upwards to political knowledge, self re-
ance and energetic action we are cramped and con-
trolled by government in which the people have
no voice, whose influence tends 10 the corruption Of
public virtue the depression Of enterprise, and the
annihilation OF every generous impulse or inspira
tion for the countrys greatness.
Hosts Of officers appointed without consent of the
people, to whom they are too frequently obnoxious
and never responsible, and holding commissions
during the pleasure OF an irresponsible Executive
are placed In authority over us, with salaries enor
mously disproportioned both to our means and TO
their services, whereby Office is made means of
family or personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, instead of being
suited to the resources and wants ofthe people.
The trial by jury, which we have been taught to
look upon as the palladium Of liberties, is made
vain illusion, or instrument Of depotism, inasmuch
as sheriffs, creatures Of the Executive, upon which
they depend daily for continuance in an Office TO
which vast emolumenis are attached, can select and
summon such jurors as they please, and thereby be-
come themselves the arbters in state prosecutions
instituted against the people by their oppressors
Immense funds, bestowed BY proyident govern
ment or by generous individuals, or the late order
Of the Jesnits for purposes Of education have been
diverted from this commendable object and made an
instrument of corruption for the reward of useless
reprehensibe officials while the children Of the.
Province, deprived of the funds provided for their
instruction, have grown up without the benefit of
school education, to be now tainted with the want
OF learning. " .
Our public lands, defended during two wars by
the bravery of the inhabitants of the country, and
rendered valuable by the toll that has opened roads,
and extended settlements back TO the wilderness,
have been sold or bestowed, in contempt Of our
monstrances, to company Of spectators living be-
yond the seas or paritioned out among official para
SITES who have, from motives of interest, combined
as faction to support corrupt Government, in
imica to the rights and opposed TO the wishes of the
people, whilst our fathers, our relations and our
brother colonsts are refused or unable to procure,
wild land on which to settle.
Laws, affecting the tenure Of lands, napplcable to
the condition Of the country and injurious to their
operations, have been forced upon us by foreign Para-
ment which in order 10 favor private and sinister lne-
rests has usurped power Of internal legislation that
appertains alone to the Legislature OF this Province.
Regulations for the trade Of the country, adopted by
foreign Parliament enforced without consent
We thus confined to certain market, and are de-
priyed Of the power Of extending commerce to all
parts Of the world when the markets OF Britain are UNI
favorable to produce, whereby commercial enter
prise is crippled and paralysed.
The representation of the country has been made
solem mockery. A corrupt Executive has con-
stantly sought TO render our house OF assembly an
instrument to decide unalterably the slavery of its
constituents and failing in this wicked design has
rendered its action nugatory by frequent proroga-
tions and dissouons and by refusing an assent to
laws useful to the people, and passed unanimously
A legislative council, the numbers Of which are
nominated by authorities ignorant of the country,
residing 5000 miles off, composed mostly of persons
who do not sympahze with the country, still exists
an impoent screen between the goveror and the
governed, and nullifes all attempts at useful legisa-
ton. An executive council nominated in the same
manner, whose influence has poisoned the mind of
each succeeding governor, remains unchanged to
protect the cumulaon of Office and abuses that are
connected with every public department.
A governor, alike ignorant with his predecessors,
and who has become, like each of them, an official
partzan conducts the government for the benefit OF
the few, either unmindful OF, or determinedly OPP
posed TO, the prosperity of the many
Our grievances have been faithfully and repeat
eddy urged upon the King and Parliament OF the
united kingdom, by the resolutions of primary as
semblies by our representatives in Parliament as
sembled, and by the humble petitions OF the whole
people. We have demonstrated, with all the power
of argument, and all the moral force of truth No
remedies have been extended, and at last when the
tyranny ofthose intrusted with power in the province
has increased insufferaby from continued impuniy,
advantage is taken by an ungenerous European
State, of general peace, to coerce us into con-
nivance or approval of our own debasement, by
threat TO seize upon public revenues with hand
of force, in defiance of natural right and of every
principle of law, policy or justice
The present degraded position of our country,
being the result of three quarters Of century OF
warm devotion to British connection, OF mistaken
reliance upon British honor it would be slavish and
criminal to confine resistance hereafter to sim
pie circumstances. The wicked designs of British
authorities have severed all ties Of sympathy for an
unfeeing mother country. separation has COM
menced between parties, which will never be ce-
mented, but which will go on increasing, until one
of those sudden unforeseen events, that attend the
march oftme, affords us fit opportunity OF assum
ing our rank among the independent Sovcreigntes
of America. Two splendid opportunities have been
lost Let us not be unprepared for the third.
glorious destiny awaits the young men Of
these colonies Our fathers have passed long
life of vexation, in daily struggle against every
degree of despotism. As they pass from the world,
they leave an inheritance improved by their patriot
ic sacrifices. To they commit the noble duty
of carrying onward their poud designs which in
our day must disfranchise our beloved country from
all human authority except that of the bold demo-
cracy residing within its bosom.
With such an invigoraing prospect spreading
before us; with such high responsibility resting
upon us, il becomes our imperative duty, laying
aside the gay frivocs of YOUTH to betake ourselves
to the serious consideration of our countrys poll
tics, her wants and her resources; to increase her
wealth by encouraging her manufactures and her
produce; and to preserve her strength by discon-
iinuing the consumption of articles brought from
beyond the sea-but, above ALL TO accustom ourselves
to constant sacrifices and to curail our personal
expenses by avoiding excess or superiority, that we
may treasure for supporting each other in the
struggle for life and liberty in which we must soon
er or later be engaged when the day of glory arrives