The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-12

Our time has been so occupied in making
our arrangements to do the printing of the
House, that we have been unable to give that
attention to the Presidents Message, which
its importance demands. We published it
Immediately after its delivery to Congress,
with passing remark, expressing our dissent
from its principal recommendation, namely,
the SUB-TREAsURY system. There are other
recommendations in the Message which are
very proper, and some, we are inclined to
think, of doubtful expediency. We do not
intend to dwell on any Of them at this time.
They all sink into comparative insignifcance
along side of the grand scheme, which is now
preached, and for the first time, in an official
form, of reforming the currency of the coun-
try For, let it be remembered that this plan
is not merely intended for receiving, keeping
and discussing the public revenue, but for the
purpose also of regulating and controlling, by
its operation, the general currency Of the
country. In this view it assumes an import
ance which, under other circumstances would
not be attached to it. 1t requires the attentive
consideration of every one who appreciates
the bearing which the discussion, and much
more the adoption, of such project, must
have upon the present condition and future
destiny Of the nation.
We had designed to go into a full and frank
review of this part of the Message, but find
our labor very much superseded by the able,
manly, firm and patriotic article from the
Richmond Enquirer, which will be found in
our columns of to-day. We recommend il to
the candid and dispassionate perusal, and to
the deep and anxious consideration of every
man who appreciates our present embarrassed
and deplorable condition. 1t is time that there
was an entire freedom of thought and Of ac-
that the party and the party press awoke to
its true interests those interests which we
have always been taught, were identified
with the happiness of the country. The de-
mocratic party has claimed to be based on
principles Of a conservative character, and has
always avoided the extremes of federalism
on the one hand, and of radicalism on the
other. Let the party press, then, which has
heretofore represented those principles, speak
out on this occasion, and assert the ancient
doctrines of its creed
In this recommendation Of the President,
we confess we are disappointed, and we are
sure the same disappointment will be felt
throughout the Union And more especially,
when we reflect, that every prominent repub-
lcan had heretofore taken ground in favor of
the State Banks being employed as the fiscal
agents Of the Government, as the only pr acti-
cal substitute for Bank of the United States.
We do the President no more than Justice,
when we award to him the most honest con-
victions of the propriety Of the measure he
has recommended, and deep anxiety for
speedy return and long continuance of our
wonted prosperity, and we say with the ut
most sincerity that no one desires the unin-
terrupted success of his administration more
ardently than we-but, above all, we desire
to see the country prosperous and happy, and
TO see the great de mocratic republican family
identified with its prosperity and happiness.
We are persuaded that its interest cannot be
SO identified, if this new system of treasury
agencies be carried into effect. Hence our
anxiety that the subject be freely canvassed,
hence our solicitude that thinking party
men and party presses should speak out on
this all engrossing topic.
No system, under which a country has for
long time lived, can be suddenly changed,
even if the change would eventually be for
the better. ltrcquires time for the most be-
ne6cial improvements to be introduced-but, if
the changes proposed are of doubtful expe-
diency, no caution can be too great in relation
to their adoption. The tendency Of every
thing at the present day is to extremes; and
wise statesmen should be very cautious in be-