The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-14


entire practice Of the Government from 1889
TO this day." by dirorcing the Government
from the banks, exacting specie in payment
Tor public dues, and placing the revenues in
the hands Of individual agents, against the
PrecePts Of every distinguished republican
and financier. scheme which, although
perhaps not so designed, we think suscepti-
BILE of mathematical demonstration. would
eventually destroy every bank in the coun-
try, and for the time being supply the Co
yernment alone with gold and the people with
deprecated paper currency, 10 their indie
scribable embarrassment. Ii was set up as
the criterion OF party faith, and every man
whose treason did not approve nor con-
science sanction" the scheme, was denounced
as an hereto and federalist, and ostracised
and driven off. This measure was calculated
to ALLEVIATE the confidence Of the people
from the Administration, and we have never
believed that any party could sustain itself
under its responsibility. No free people
would ever countenance for momen, the
idea that the government Of their creation and
choice had " nothing to do but TO take care of
itself" 1t was counting too much upon Gre
dulity and ignorance, to confde in popular sup
port when the whole tendency Of measures
was to enslave. the very soul of our body po-
lite. The American people are free think.
ing, intelligent, business people; they under
stand their own interests, and are too well
versed in the experience Of the past, not to
have quick understanding Of the designs Of
demagogues, and proper appreciation of the
value of existing institutions, and the dangers
which are always besetting the free. Ii was
uncharitable 10 suppose that the democracy
Of numbers had any affinity for party OF
Loco-focos who would rob them of their very
bread, and great mistake to count upon the
patience Of the people in instituting "revo.
lutionary and disorganizing" experiment, at
such an impraciicable period.
But all our reasoning and expostulatlon
were in vain our voice fell upon ears as
heavy and dull as DEATH Our warnings were
disregarded-our counsel disdained. Now,
that the sceptre has departed from Judah,
where is the mantle Of the prophets and Of
what value are the words Of the oracles!
Whatever may be the notifications of our
friends at this defeat, they, in common with
us, will be cheered by the reflection that they
are not derogated by any responsibility for
the causes which produced it, and exerted
their best energies to avert the evil. Their
predictions having been fulfilled to the letter,
the highest credi, will be reflected upon their
political sagacity. They stand in lofty
position, elevated by the righteousness OF
their cause, and sustained, not by the ultraism
of small party, but by the intelligence and
patriotism of numbers.
The will of the democracy of numbers is
the ruling law, and 9 an absolute acquiescence
in the decisions Of the majority, is the vital
principle of republics, from which is no
appeal but TO force, the vital principle, and
immediate parent Of despotism."'
In their decisions we absolutely acqui.
esce." The two great antagonist powers OF
the Jackson and Wing parties seem to have
broken up. In their disorganization a new
organization is likely to ensue. at IS not
our business or purpose to dictate, but to reflect
the sentiments Of those zoe representa- We
therefore do not undertake to chalk out
course for the democracy to rally again upon
but our belief is that the two great banners
hereafter will lead conservative party on one
side, and the destructives on the other. These
principles are antagonistical, and relate to
views of civil policy. We have no appre-
hension that a federal party will ever gain the
ascendency in this country. AS long as the
Constitution endures, we shall constitute
democratic republic. From the nature OF
things, the majority constitute the Legitimate
constitutional democracy; there is no other
and no other Will can constitute the supreme
power. We go with the democracy-we
abjure federalism-we equally detes, desfrue-
tirism, because we believe it seeks con-
solidated government over the ruins of State
rights, and is only federalism under new
disguise. We 60 for the preservation of the
present SYSTEM freed from, abuses and impu-
rites; for the perpetuity Of Government
founded upon the intelligence and virtue OF
the people; for the greatest good of the
greatest number; for The protection OF all
classes, dispensing equal benefits and exact.
ing equal duties proportioncd TO ability we
90 for strict and economical Governmert,
and reduction OF the revenue to its actual
| c. .xxft bnh han
TEN, and an infusion Of a larger metallic cir.
culation sufficient for minor dealings we go
for rendering the revenue power auxiliary to