The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-10
TO MARTIN VAN buren,,

n nuisance which have called
Il forth lead me 10 address tot The Chief Magistrate
of the Nation, not doubling that he concurs In The
apolhegm Of SoIon, that the most popular govern,
ment Is that where an injury done 70 the meaness
subject, Is an insult upon the whole eonstnulon.
II Is now almost six years. since was hrs enroll.
ed In the ranks and found taxing part N ne poicai
controversies Of the times. Previous % thai time
had remained a silent spectator, neither feeling
interest taking part ON either side OF inc party a
visions. -,
Since first entered the arena Of politics, have
made one Of the Democratic party. IL has been my
fortlne whether for veal or for woe time alone can
determine, 10 be singled out from among those with
whom acted, an object for maiIgnity 70 ann us
shafts al and for persecution to pour out JUS phiais
Of wrath upon Notwithstanding the yicissiiudes TO
| which have been subjected from those causes too
well calculated for the effect designed, not to make
/ my path onward somewhat thoTny; and TO sour, az
times, the feelings Of nature yell have endeavoured
steadfastly to pursue the even tenor OF my way CIV
ing all the aid and support TO the cause in which
was embarked, that the feeble energies with which
nature endowed me, permitted. With what zeal and
fidelity they have been exercised, and WIN what re-
| suits must leave TO those who have been witnesses
ofmy efforts TO determine; venturing, however, 70
intimate that believe 81 have rendered the state
| (the party) some service; and they know IT,"
II has been, my misfortune 10 differ from large
number Of the democratic party well as the Chief
Magistrate, on the exciting topic Of the day; the
1 Sub Treasury system
Long before that subject laid before the repre-.
senlalives of the people for their delberaiion ana
before knew Il was In serious contemplation TO do
| so; merely from seeing IL introduced and recon-
mended In few of the newspapers Twas led to be-
stow upon ii some attention, which resulted IN my
expressing decided objection to Il, as being (even
i ii practicable) fraugh with SO many dangers, and
difficulties as 10 render the adoption OF IT, In my OPT
MON, altogether inexpedicnt. These views were
| publicly expressed.
was first appraised of the intention of the Execu-
tive to recommend that measure to Congress, by the
editor OF the Globe its repuied official organ. i'm
medately thereafter gave the subject another and
more deliberate examination which served but 70
confirm me more strongly in the accuracy oi the Cpl
| MON the former one had led TO-
While thus have and do now differ from the Ex-
ecuve, and many others, in the policy Of thal great
and important measure recommended; ! can truly
say, that difference has its foundation in purity OF
| purpose and honesty of principle.
| While disregarded the intimation, SO long as It
was confined to report or verbal statement that
all who did not give an unqualified support 70 the
measure, would be looked upon enemies TO the adj
ministration; it is not without unreasonable sur
prise that have witnessed the spirit Of intolerance
manifested through the columns OF the oficia organ
towards some ofthose, who must have done violence
TO their consciences and sacrificed their prncipesb y
| giving il their support.
| cannot for an instant entertain the thought, that
the present Chief Magistrate is influenced BY princi
pies less distinguished for tolerance and beraii'y
than those which emnently characterized his late
predecessor. Therefore, cannot but conclude that
the pursued by the Globe newspaper, does not
obtain official sanction.
/ On a former memorable occasion in relation to
measure of great national interest and Importance,
| Ex-Presdent Jackson thus expressed himself, Far
be from him Che sad expect or require that any
member Of his Cabinet should at his request, order
or dctation do any act he believes unlawful, or in
his conscience condemns. From them, and from his
itoc-cSens general he desires only that aid and
support, Thich their reason aPprores and their con-
science sanctions"
The preceding is taken from the paper read by
/ raj yoclrSn m IL n SeDtcm-
Der, 1888 having relation to the measure Of the re-
moval Of the deposites.
While frankly acknowledge my inability to sup
port a measure which neither reason approves nor
e conscience sanctions" am confident in the belief,
| that the same lenity will be extended to me and all
who are similarly situated on the present as on the
1 former occasion referred to-
The Globe Of the ID inst contains an editorial ar
tice. relating principally to myself. The causes
which prompted it, as well the object sought to be
accomplished through it, cannot be mistaken From
that article extrac. the following
pause AND PROFIT BY IT.:
/ IN Biddsc 10 Mr. Whitney.
The National (Bank) Gazette Is from day to day
! dragging up the name of Mr.. Whitney in CONNECTION
with that Of the editor of the Globe, evidently suppos
ing that the association of his name with might
work us some prejudice. A few days ago Mr. Whit
ney paraded in the bank journal as the financial
/ editor of the Globe. In Yesterdays Gazette, Mr..
Poinsett is alluded to, and warned that "erery man
trAo is affiliated riM kendall, BLAR and WHITNEY,
is liable TO be morally identified riM that trio" We
doubt exceedingly whether Mr.. Poinsett even knows
! Mr. Whitney We know nothing of his private
character-have had no private intimacy or connec-
| ton with him whatever, except becoming his bail
! when prosecuted by the opposition. We have known
him only as the general and confidential correspont
dent of The banks, and have allowed him to defend
their interests from the assaults of Mr.. Bidde and
his friends in the columns ofthe Globe As we stated,
! however, in our evidence before Mr.. Wiseis com
| mitee, we were appraised by the Secretary OF the
Tran lint he n
gonis that of the Treasury, and always scrutiniz-
ed his designs that nothing beyond strict justice
should be accorded. Unluckily, the employers OF
Mr.. Whitney have recently ,canted any thing but
Justice; and their agent for months past has sought
! other channels of communication than the Globe to
gain the public ear, and accomplish the objects which
the institutions he represents have in view That he
faithfully and earnestly advocates their interests, is
matter Of public notoriety He is in close correspon-
dence with the conservatives and doubtless they pro-
fit by his intelligence. II must therefore, be from
the personal piqne Of Mr. Biddle that his organ still
pursues Mr. Whitney. All Mr.. Biddle's bank friends
voted for the project at the last session, which Mr.
\ Whitney's active zeal busy in promoting; and
why should Mr.. Biddle, who was once his bosom as
socate in managing the greatest and most delicate
trusts of the institution which he preSdeS, still
persecute him, now that they have common cause
i TO advances"
/ Whether the nam S of the editor of the Globe and
myself being associated together in the newspapers,
will ,rork prejudice 10 either, and if SO to which,
must be determined by the verdict of public opinion.
The editor of the official labors under slight mis-
take in regard to his doubts respecting Mr. Poinsetts
i knowledge of me-. apprehend that gentleman was
made acquainted with me by letter long before he
ever heard of the editor of the Globe How tavora-
bly, was made known to him, that letter will show,
addressed to him while Minister at Mexico, by one
for whom, am sure he at that time entertained ia
\ vorable regard have since met Mr.. Poinsett in
i Philadelphia and in this city, but have never had
n any business transactions with him. since he has been
at the head of the War Department
! When first read in the article quoted Weknow
nothing of his private character--have had no pri-
vate intimacy or connection with him whatever ex-
cept becoming his bail when prosecuted by the oppo-
sition y paused nstinclively to inquire who were