The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-23

cudnp friends and opponents They mus. not be sur
prsed neither il we should hereafter deem proper TO
carry the i0ar INTO Africa
The .ssior Editor OF the Times is native OF this
The NEw YoRK TIMES is taking stand
we most cordially applaud. And we do it
not only because we abstractly admire its
conduct, but because we feel. and sincerely,
and deeply feel, that the strongest and most
earnest impulses Of our hearts are uniting IN
common cause--a cause which Is, and
ought to be, of absorbing and paramount con-
sideration, in respect TO the dearest interests
of society, and the most hallowed principles
of our constitutional liberty.
Our friends and fellow-citizens in remote
sections of the Union, may not distinctly APP
preciate the necessity Of the movements that
are making, nor the warmth of feeling and
the zeal of argument which are beginning to
fill and excite the leading journals on the side
of the administration. Removed from the
great Commercial heart of the nation, and its
immediate connexions, il cannot be expected
that they can at first glimpse comprehend
questions suddenly arising, upon chronic,
and at first local diseases. But this they
must readily perceive, that, whatever disof-
ders the heart, naturally extends its influence
throughout every tributary and dependency,
until the whole system is palsicd by the like
affection The leper which has been for
some time past creeping into the vitals Of
New York, and insidiously endeavoring to
extend its poisoning influence even into high
places, has been the great provocative Of the
rising popular indignation, now every where
beginning to indicate itself in undisguised and
determined feeling.
A mad fool wishing to render himself
notorious, fred the beautiful temple of Ephe-
sus; small faction, ambitious of the
name Of Reformers, would fain tear in pie
ces the glorious American Constitution -
Having but meagre stake in the fate of
American Institutions, and fimsy hold
upon the confidence Of society, they seem
more eager to risk their fortunes upon the
berries of revolution, than upon the
righteous order of things, and the steady
course of good government. This faction
rallies under the cognomen Of " Loco-foco."
There are some to be sure whose notipes are
not to be impeached-opinions we always re-
spect. Blu, it is the spirit that is to be resist
ed. We cannot speak Of principles in regard
to this faction. The spirit we abhor. Is it
excited by any thing but passion Does any
immediate sense Of extreme danger or, ex-
IRENE wrong provoke its Impotence and ex-
travagance Does any reality justify its
hostility to the existing institutions Of the
country, or its contempt of order, morality,
and law No. The flame is kindled upon
the elements of passion, ignorance, and vice,
by the breath of demagogues. 1t spreads on
all things a, false and lurid glare, and con-
Pounds all principles and forms. Would it
destroy the existing form of government
would it obviate the force of moral obligation
would it throw off the restraints of the So
cial rganization-would it abrogate law
would it rely upon individual will, personal
honor, and unrestrained propensity! Heav en-
save this country from such faction Its
spirit is no better than that (which whetted
a thousand daggers on the stony words Of
Marat" 1t is no better than that which in
spired the Furics Of the Guillotine, and sat
and smiled in the galleries Of the Convention
with the tr,coteuses of Robespierre
If it be this spirit that urges the denunci-
atoms, so indignantly repelled in the eloquent
article above, and actua,es those who are
constantly denouncing the credit system, and
mocking the sufferings of our merchants, it is
high time there were more Of us in the field
prepared TO resist it to the utmost. If we
could believe it had stolen into positions OF
authority, we should tremble for the conse-
quences. If we could think it likely to be
infused into any policies of the government,
we would earnestly invoke some counterfeit
ing principle. If such spirit were to pre-
vail, the reign Of terror and adversely would
have come, to destroy the fair Eden of our
hopes, and the patriot and philanlhropis'
would be called to sit like Marius at the gates
of the Temple, to mourn over the ruins OF
our country.