The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-17

il is not revolution that may be turned back
ward-bu. it may be conciliated by return to
the old policy to which, we think, i, points.
We do no, regard ii, however, as a wing tr-
umph ltogether--cxcept as negative triumph.
The wings may be united in opposition to the
enthusiastically how can the "pie-bad
party" las Col. Preston called it) unite in sup
port Of any candidate Of their OWN ebster,
Clay, Calhoun, White, or Harrisonl
Is there, then, no means by which the two
divergent currents Of Republican opinion may
be brought into one popular tide! Can it not
be accomplished by return to that middle
ground occupied by the Conservatives" as
they have been calledl There could be GER
tainly no great sacrifice in such course---it
would be but bowling in acquiescence to the
decisions of the majority" and surely more
democratic Than pererse adherence to ex-
pressed but untenable opinions.
The Conservatives advocate no new prin-
ciples; they seek merely to prevent certain
hazardous Innovations, to resist certain specu-
lativo changes and departures from establish
ed things. They but seek to restrain the
galloping" Of Executive power, already too
rapid by the Constitution-to stay organic
revolution, and to put peto upon every thing
like destructive infraction Of the Constitu-
ton. They insist merely that Government
and Legislation shall be carried on within the
ancient limits Of the Constitution, with every
latitude for practical reform and improvement.
They say that every individual and every
collection Of persons, legally existing, shall be
protected in their property. They say that
the Legislature shall be upheld in its dignity,
its privileges, and functions. Fundamental
innovations ought not to be thrust upon d.
vided nation, or a divided Legislature. Ex-
listing institutions and organic principles ought
not to be swept away without an overwhclm-
ing preponderance of opinions in favor Of the
change. All the success they ask is to pre-
vent the Legislature from making these inno-
vations, and establishing what they believe
would be an oppressive system, and to induce
the Administration to abandon the irritation
and endless agitation Of experiments, to the
great disquietude of mems minds, and tho
total obstruction of useful measures, and
settled course Of prosperity. They stand
purely on the defensipe-it is victory, not to
be defeated--it is triumph to have the
smallest majority. For those who advocate
the new measures-measures to change the
entire practice Of the government from its
origin,-not to have large preponderance, is
defeat
Have not the friends Of the Administration
learnt that the coalition which they formed
with the destructive party in New York, was
not only disreputable, but has proved the most
disastrous Will not coalition with the
nullifiers be equally disreputable, and prove
equally disastrous, wherever opposition to
notification is in the majority? Many, to be
sure, may think it more noble to be something
at the head of the destructives Of the North,
or the Nullifers Of the South. than nothing in
the train of the Conservatives. thy n~'~
now the prospect of being politically nothing
any where. Can the Administration gain any
thing, therefore. by attempting to concillate
either vr these extremes !! We suspect
not. We trust these things will be well pom
dered that the Administration will take their
steps in WISDOM and that all will yet be right
the Republican star still in the ascend
ant