The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-01

Conservative on one side and destructive on
the other. They cannot be otherwise. We
did not say who would compose the Destruc-
tive party-but we now say, that, we con-
slider ultra federalism and ioeo. focoism equally
destructive. We say too, that, as men are
known by their associates, so those protesting
Republicanism, who courted and married
loco focoisn,, in the late elections, are equally
Destructive, and will rally under that banner.
The Richmond Enquirer asks, does the
Madisonian mean that the present Republican
party is, or is in a fair way to be, over
thrown!
An answer to this question involves the
preliminary inquiry-who constitute the pre-
sent Republican party!
tits a matter Of universal notariety, that
the Republican party is at this time divided
and it has divided upon measure Of the
administration. One section claims to be the
exclusive advocates Of the entire policy of
the administration, and the other cannot sup
port that entire policy. Both of these Sec
tons claim to be "the present Republican
party" We contend that those who have
been designated Conservative, are the only
true exponents Of the Republican doctrine, as
laid down by the fathers Of the creed and
practised from 1900, to the present time.
They claim to cling to the rock Of half
century, while others have embarked in sea
of experiments. The policy of this latter
section, in some Of its particulars, we con-
slider as anti-Republican in its tendency, and
subversive of the cardinal points Of the Re-
publican creed We think-and does not also
the Enquirer that the Sub-treasury scheme,
if established, would, in effect, separate the
Government from the people--that it would
virtually place the purse and the sword in the
same hands-lead to con solidation-destroy
the ground work Of the peoples prosperity
and happiness and hold out temptations to
demoralise the functionaries of the Govern
ment.
In the discussion, upon the Sub-treasury
scheme, all these imposing objections have
been urged with extraordinary force by the
leading Republicans in both branches of Con-
gress, and by a large portion of the Republic
can press, and by none with greater ability
and effect than the Enquirer,
What now is to be the issue? A compro-
mise has been proposed-but that spirit which
Jefferson describes as necessary to union and
harmony, has not been manifested. The adj
ministration will still "persist' they are IN
compromising. Are we now to give up the
principles for which we have been contend
ing, and yield the title of" the present Republl-
can party" TO those who claim to be the ex-
elusive friends of the policy Of the admins
tration! Or, shall we place ourselves upon
the ground, that principles and measures
constitute parties, and in defence OF them,
claim, ourselves, to be the Republican party?
One thing is certain, if our opposition to the
Sub-treasury scheme be sound and orthodox,
then the advocates of that scheme cannot be.
If our course is sound, then, every induce
ton of reasoning, and every dictate of COM
mon sense point to those who are called
Conservatives, as the REPUBLICAN PARTY.
If, by "the present Republican party" the
Enquirer means the administration party, then
we say, it is in fair way to be overthrown-
and the Enquirer, on looking at the catalogue
of States that have gone against it, will not
deny it.
Subsequent measures, however, may
change its destiny. If the "untried exPe-
dent" will be abandoned, and the administra-
tion will divorce itself from the ultra doctrines
that have SO Justly alarmed the country, then
will our divided ranks re-unite under the
broad banner Of republicanism, which has SO
long waved in triumph. We ought not to
shut our eyes to the certainty, that, unless
this course be taken, its doom as sealed.