The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-24

valuable civil right that a freeman can enjoy.
#
The following questions are asked every
day by hundreds, and are reiterated again and
again-"What has produced this wonderful
change in New York, and all over the coun-
try :" "Will the change be lasting :" Those
who have watched the course Of political
events, for some time past, can be at no loss
for an answer. We believe that this change
in popular sentiment received its waking i'm
pulse under some ill-advised measures preced-
ing the Sub-trcasury scheme. The attack made
upon the credit system, and the unfortunate
experiments to improve the currency, laid the
foundation to popular change.
These measures had not time to reach their
maturity under the administration Of their
author, but they travelled on under the un-
fortunate approval Of his successor 10 their
catastrophe, which broke upon the morning
Of his administration, with widespread desc
lation. All the active operations of the country
fell with the explosion, and general pa
ralysis pervaded every thing. But the war
upon the banks and upon the merchants, and
upon all the ramifcations Of the credit system,
was prosecuted with increased violence, cal
culating that the fiscal arrangements of the
country, and the broken energies Of half
ruined people would insure a speedy capitu-
lation, and the final triumph Of the erperi-
ments. The people were astonishingly patient
under their suferings. Not until they saw
that that arrangement and ruin threatened
every interest, and until the destructive doc
trines Of the Loco Focos had gained con-
trolling and increasing influence that was
alarming, did they resolve upon change
The monstrous doctrines Of this dangerous
faction have done much, very much to dis
turb the country, and to awaken the fears Of
large portion Of the people. TO escape this
terrific scourge, as much as any thing else did
it contribute to produce this change. Other
causes have influenced materially this result.
We solemnly believe that the ultra and danger
Gus doctrines of the GLOBE, Cooked upon
and treated as the organ Of the administra-
tion,) its intolerant spirit, its vindictive tenn
per, its general loeseness, its glaring ter
giversations, its tone of authority, and its
offensive dictation have been greatly instru-
mental in producing the revolution" Has
it not soiled the administration with its con-
tact LAS it not tempered party feeling with
bitter malignity! Has it not disguised every
tolerant spirit with its gross personalities
Has it not distracted the republican party with
its heresies! Has it not convulsed the foun-
dations of social society, with its violence,
and cast upon the press the enduring stain Of
morbid Righteousness! So much, then, for
the causes Of the change.
Will these changes last! AS certain as
that the laws that regulate cause and effect
shall continue to operate. Whilst these mea-
surcs are persevered in changes will go on
to the accomplishment of their end, and the
more obstinate the perseverance, the more
rapid and inevitable will be the change.
I'll, greatest difficulty has been overcome
in commencing the change. Not until many
of the friends Of the administration saw that
their cHtIedtltS anu "REMINISCENCES WCIc
wholly disregarded, and that they were placed
in situation claiming the performance of
the first and most sacred duty they owed
their country, could they consent 10 place in
minority those with whom they have so long
been identified. 1t was not that they loved
Caesar less, but that they loved Rome more.
Thousands paused and paused long before
they could bring themselves to this But the
alternative presented, made the result incvita-
BILE. More in sorrow than in anger have they
resolved to go on until doctrines which they
think dangerous and apolicy which they be-
licve to be ruinous, shall be made to yield to
the mandate Of the only legitimate power
known to our government-the WILL Of the
PEOPLE.