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

rilous newspaper as TRAITORS, apostaies and vii
lains" LtetatsH, Proseipfsn, perssp4t abuse PAtAe
Sfsh tactioa hspes 10 srlFLE FcnIdc skssiMEsT AsD
ENGRoss rHE poIincAL Powxa y THE DEMoeRAcY.
In a large parry united en- great heading princi-
Piles, minor differences OF opinion as 10 men and
measures must naturally exist and Is the essence
Of Democracy that these as on all other questions
every individual shall have the unimpaircd right OF
private Judgment To denounce any mln Tor The
exercise Of this right, even though his sentiments
may seem 10 fall behind the violent standard OF Ia
natics and feformers, Is the essence OF inIoerant
arisiocracy.
This spirit Of intolerance and dictaton has been
largely introduced into Connecticut politics within
few years Its violence was first exhibited and It's
effects first felt In Hartford County. Individual de-
mocrats were slandered public meetings OF the de-
mocracy derided, regular nominations sneered d.
divisions introduced, new standards OF democracy
erected the harmony Of the party disturbed and die
tation, prescription and abuse carried into every
measure The same iatoleraHt spirit has aoU tegan
10 ertead its malignant e6erfs 70 other portions 81 the
State Prominent members OF the democratic party
who have grown up in the belief and practice Of It's
principles, if they chance 10 stand in the way OF
selfish aspirants in Hartford, are suddenly denounc-
ed by name and characterized as aposiaes and trai
tors. The consequences OF such selfish intolerance
and violence are easily perceivedif II be further
tolerated. DISUNION and POLITICAL RUIN
AWAIT THE DEMOCRACY OF THE
STATE
Il has been the aim of the Patriot and Democrat
ever since ii was established TO hold salulary check
overthis facions and inloerant sprtto restore the
influence and bring back the policy OF LIBERAL JEr-
FERsoNIAN DEMOCRACY. To this standard we have
endeavored to bring the public mind, Thy denounc-
ing and traducing men who differ from us, but by
endeavoring TO e0arince and hdTmoni-e. Our calm
and independent course unmixed with selnshness
and untainted by the spirit of oficeseekng has ope-
rated as silent but severe reproof of the desperate
measures of few pretended democrats--and we
have, in consequence, had from them full share OF
wanton and malicious abuse. We have sometimes
been compelled, in selt-defence TO expose theiT IN
trigues and reprehend their selhshness. We hare
not boTed the knee 10 public SERVANTS srh0 rOtd JAIN
become DIcrAToRs nor shrHRk from exposing corrhp-
ton and selshness, though masked beneath erfraordi-
nary professions Of pure democracy. We have stead,
lily sustained The usages OF the paryhave respected
the will of the majority-have aimedto express pub
lie opinion and promote the reforms called for there
BY, and hare FIRMLY and CALMLY rind,cated me great
PRINCIPLES Of the democratic Jaih. Not a sin
gle sentence in our columns nor single act OF our
selves friends can be pointed out which is not In
strict accordance with these principles.
Il is true we have not INDUCED in personal abuse,
either against wings or erring democrats; nor have
we glorfed in servile terms few OF the ,rouid te
great men who assume to concentrate in themselves
the purity and wisdom of the whole party. Having
no office to seek or public favor to ask, have not
thought such a servity excusablc, and have much
preferred to endure the gross abuse and cowardly
insinuatsons of an nnprincipled paper near us and
its mean spirited echo at little distance. The OBJ
vious @6haess Of such attacks is the best antidote
against their effects. ID
The present situation of the Democratic party in
this State is critical. With large numerical ma
jority, whenever we rally under the regular
usages of the party and in support of PRINCIPLE, we
! are in danger of being led by demagogues into
vuarrel about men. In that event we shall incur the
hazard Of disunion and defeat Indeed is far from
improbable that small party, now engrossing the
benefits Of Federal patronage in this State and fear
full OF reform, may earnestly pM for such division
of the democracy as shall throw the party into mi
nority and 10 themselves and their friends fer
eight gears 10 come The Offices they harehed for The eight
years already past.
The present then is moment when it becomes
every sincere democrat to reflect well upon his
sPoNsIBlrIEs and DUTIES and TO make extraordinary
efforts for the INTEGRITY and PRESERVATION
of the Democratic party. He must now choose be-
tween rant, fanacism violence and prescription on
side which new school politicians are endeavor-
ing to introdnceand the pure, foibearing and calm
spirit Of JeferSonian democracy on the other. On
this latter side the Patriot and Democrat will con-
tinue its exertionsand we call for the active and
Jealous aid and sympathy of all who approve our
| course. The warfare of faction is becoming active.
Quiescence is no proection-it is absolutely neces-
sary that those who would adhere TO the ancient
landmarks of the party should now bring forward
their best endeavors sustain all who labor in the
true cause. Let each reader who approves our
course commend our efforts to his neighbor, Ii is
by aetcc exerons alone that the violence of design
ing men can be counteracted. Aided and sustained
BY the great body of the honest democracy, we shall
pursue way with courage and cheerfulness-for
we feel that we are advocating the cause of the
MANY and the HONEST, against the cause of the
FEW and OPPRESSIVE 49,.