The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-08
From the Bangor Republican,

| From the Bangor Republican
The great mass Of the community are honest in their
politics. Indeed, they have every nducement TO act
honestly and independently Liberty, equality, protec
ton in their persons and property, and the prosperity
Of their country is their great aim If they
these blessings, is Of little consequence TO them who
holds the rens Of Government Secure in their integri-
~, and relying upon their own vtuous industry for the
Of subsistence. they leave political ntrgues TO
place men, the bread Of dependence. And yet,
honest though they be in their intentions they often
plod in error without taking the pains critically TO
examine the principles Of the party to which they hap
pen TO he attached In republic, where must DO
divided into two great antagonist PARTIES the necessity
Of acting in far lessons personal responsibility
as almost entirely destroy Individuality Of character
Once convinced that the party with which they act is
right, they follow quietly on in The footsteps" Of their
leaders, although they describe a semicrcle and lead
them upon the very ground they thought dangerous
when they first SGT out In their attachment to men,
they for the time lose sight Of principles, and when
they compelled to open their eyes 10 their position
their natural Incidence and fear of responsibility, still
chain them to the car sltho' that they pull
ling in opposite direction from which they started
How often, in religion have the victims OF persecution
lighted the faggot in their turn, and in politics.. how Of
has the most despotic tyranny been esablshedn the
name OF liberty.
/ tendency TO act in masses, which has always been
stumbling block in republics, OF the greatest
\ evils Of the times. When men become convinced that
NE psrsy with ~hch they IRE acting 10 in the wrong
\ ~
which they in their heart condemn because they have
greater repugnancc the doctrines OF tho antagonist
party Instead of standing fearessy by their princ-
pies, and trusting to Providence for the result they go
on in They forget that :" the no, always
to the swift not the battle TO the strong" and console
/ themselves with the reflection that they could effect
nothing If separated from the with which they
moving Indeed they may fatter themselves with
the delusve hope Of changing the direction Of the mn
/ tiude along with which they suffer themselves to be
i He'd $40 uurh A., tho
sailor hope to shun the breakers upon which his vessel
rushing without changing the helm, political part-
may expect TO change the policy Of his party without
1 changing leaders.
independence Of though, and action in Republic is
necessary prevent parties from running into dangerous
extremes. When patriotism degencrates into blind
servlli,y and public opinion is but the echo Of Executive
WILL there is no check to Executive usurpaton Party
discipline imposes such obligation It may require
US to waive personal objections men, but
crfce our political principles Asa component part Of
the sovereignty Of the country and upon the altar
Of freedom to maintain its institutions invioate, to
abandon our republican principles is to commit wlliu
perjury and invoke the vengeance of Heaven upon
| our devoted heads
| The present is time when these considerations
| should sink deep into every mind. We call upon
those republicans who have opened their eyes to the
misery which the acts OF The administration have
brought npon the country and who see the evils
which must necessarily flow from the adoption of
the favorile project of Treasury Bank which is to
be the test at the ensuing election to pause and reflect
Ito consider well their duty TO their country and TO
themselves before they give their votes. Ii the
only alternative left you TO persevere in sup.
porting rulers in their runous career TO join the
ranks of the opposition, even then, II would be a
question worthy Of serious consideration, whether
the latter would not be the less evil Of the two. But
no such necessity exists--you have only to stand
firm upon the old republican platform. Ii is neither
necessary to support professed Wigs nor quasi
republicans, who have adopted federal principles.
adhere 10 the principles Of Jefferson, and you may
avoid both Scuila and Chayybds Pursue This course
and you will have the proud consciousness of having
honestly discharged your duty Nor is this the only
gratihcation such course will afford Won. You
will hereafter have the grateful reflection Of having
i aided in Fastening the return of prosperity your
country, and in saving your party from utter defeat
For disguise IL as you will the measures of the Ad-
mnstration cannot be sanctioned BY the people and
unless the republican standard be planted upon the
| old batlements, which have ever proved impregna-
bic 10 the fercest assaults Of the enemies OF demo-
crazy, or political opponents will obtain undspued
possession ofhe State, and not only Of Maine, but
/ the Union
\ These remarks are not addressed 10 those who are
impelled by passion or prejudice-nor yet TO those
| whose examination of principles does not extend
beyond the promise Of an Office but 10 honest reflect
ing and independent republicans Patriotism, poll
tical associations and self interest, all admonsh you
TO separate yourselves from the mass which has
strayed from the beaten paths Of democracy and take
your stand by the side OF those uncompromising and
| infexible republicans, with whom you have fought
| shoulder to shoulder in former days. Are not your
own convictions and the example OF such men as
you see resisting the malgn influence, that weighs
like an incubus upon the energies Of the country suf
hcien TO overcome The force Of habit Your deduc-
TONS when you attempt 10 account for your preSout
| course, are all drawn from false premises The
party with which you act although no longer guided
by republican principles, you sill consider the re-
publican party, and that party you feel bound 10
support Names are but words and words but
wind. II is principles aud their application TO the
government of the country, with which you have to
deal and as these change, names mus gradually
follow. There are many with whom in years past
we have maintained the closest political intimacy
whom we believe both honest and dsinterested, hut
who still go on supporting measures they in their
hearts condemn. We cannot contemplate the seve-
rance ofthe mutual ties which have heretofore bound
US in The bands ot brotherhood without the deepest