The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-30
PROSPECTUS.

TuE MApIsoNIAN will be devoted to the support OF
the principles and doctrines oil the democratic party, as
deipeated BY Mr. Madison, and will aim to consummate
,ba poitica reform in the theory and practice Of the
rational government which has been repeatedly indl
Gated by the general SUFFRAGE essential to the peace
and prosperity Of the country and to the perfection and
neuetuity Of its free institutions. Az this time slngu-
lar state of affairs is presented The commercial in
,e,ess Of the country are overwhelmed with embaass
ncnt: its monetary concerns unusually dsordered;
every ratification Of society Is invaded by distress, and
the social edi6ce threatened with dlsorganzaton;
every ear is filled with predictions OF evil and the muir
murings Of despondency; tho general government Is
boldly assaed by large and respectable portion OF the
peopie as the direct Of their difficulties open
resistance to the laws is publicly encouraged, and
sniu of INSTRUMENTATION is fostered, a necessary
defence to the pretended usurpatons Of the party in
mower; some from whom better things were hoped,
making the confusion worse confoupded," by head
long pursuit of notions and indefinite phanoms,
totally incompatible with wholesome state OF the
country In the midst of all these difficulties and
barrassments is feared that many Of the less firm Of
the friends Of the administration aud supporters Of
democratic principles waverng in their confidence.
and beginning without just cause, to view with disrust
those men to whom they have been long attached, and
whose elevation they have laboured to promote from
honest and patriotic motives. Exultng in the antcipa
ton OF disay and confusion amongst the supporters Of
the administration the consequence OF these things,
the opposition are consorg themselves with the idea
that Mr. Van Burcn's friends, national party,
yerging to dissolution and they allow opportunity to
pass unimproyed to give ecat to their own doctrines.
They are indeed, maturing plans for their own future
government Of the country with seeming confidence Of
certain success
This confidence is increased by the fact that visionary
theories aud an unwse adherence TO the plan for
ercusre metallic currency have unfortunately carried
some beyond the actual and true policy Of the govern
ment and, by mpairing public confidence In the credit
SYSTEM which ought to be preserved and regulated but
not DESTROYED, have tended to increase the difficulties
under which the country is now labouring. All these
seem to Indicate the necessity Of new organ at the
seat of government be established upon sound prn
cpes and represent faithfully and not to dictate the
real policy Of the administration, and the true sentiments
measures, and interests Of the great body OF Its sup
porers. The necessity also appears OF the adoption Of
conservative principles than the conduct oil those
seems to indicate who seek to remedy abuses by de-
s,royng the institutions with which they are found
nccted Indeed some measure Of contribution is deemed
essential to the enhancement Of selfrespect
home and to the promotion Of the honor and credit of
the nation abroad .#.
To meet these indications this undertaking has been
instituted and it is hoped that it will produce the effect
Of inspiring the tmd with courage the Responding with
hope and the whole country with confidence in tho
administration Of its government In this view, this
journal will not seek 10 lead follow any faction,
advocate the views Of any particular detachment Of
men. 1t will aspire to accord just measure OF sup
port each Of the coordinate branches Of the govern
ment, in the lawful exercise Of their constitutional
perogatves 1t will address itself to the understandings
Of men, rather than appeal to any unworthy prcjudces
evil passions 1t will rely invariably upon the prin
clpe that the strength and security OF American nsti
tutions depend upon the intelligence and virtue Of the
people.
The MADisoNiAN will not in any event, be made the
instrument Of arrayng the north and the SOUTH the east
and the west, hostile attitudes towards each other,
upon any subject of either general or local interest Il
will reflect only that spirit and those principles Of mutual
concession compromise, and reciprocal goodwill. which
emnenty characterized the inception, formation, and
subsequent ADOPTION by the several States, of the
stltuton Of the United States. Moreover, in the
howed spirit that has, at all periods since the adoption
OF that sacred instrument characterized DEFENCE
ny THE PEOPLE, press will hasten to its support at
every emergency that shall arise from whatever quarter
and under whatever gulse Of philanthropy, policy, or
PRINCIPLE the antagonist power may appear.
II, in this responsible undertaking, it shall be
good fortune to succeed to any degree promoting the
harmony and prosperity Of the country, conciatng
leaouses, and alaymg the asperes Of party warfare,
by demeanng ourself amcably towards all by fAulg
ing personal animosties towards none by conducting
onrse in the belief that it is perfectly practicable TO
differ with others in matters Of principle and of expe-
dency without mixture Of personal unkndness or loss
OF reciprocal respect; and by "asking nothing that is
not clearly right and submitting to nothing that is
wrong" then, and not otherwise, will the full measure
OF It's intention be accomplished, and primary rule
Tor It's guidance be sufficiently observed and satisfied
This enterprise has not been undertaken without the
APPRECIATION, advsement, and pledged support of many
Of the leading and soundest minds in the ranks ofhe
democractc republican party, in the extreme norand
IN the extreme SOUTH in the east and in the west An
association OF both political experience and talent of the
highest order will render it competent to carry forward
the principles by which it will be guided, and make it
useful as political organ, and interesting journal
OF news: Arrangements also leyebeea MAJ to6x the
e.stablshuhenk zriaEs substaa1 nd Yemaf nt basis
mucaof llsit cos6dsscs = ~ burat enaea.ssh as tho
fidelity Of his pre- their grea atons1 intss shsa
prove itself eaiitlcd to receive. ~ n
TfIoMAs ALIEN.
WIsutxaroS r,rv n n IL, Ioa7 y