The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-11

pFDciples--the principles OF Jenefson, OF Madison,
OF Monroe and Of Jackson and by warm devotion
10 what sincerely believed the vital Interests ofthe
Union. When with You last Fall, heard no COM
plants as 10 my vote on the Sub-ireasuIy bill To
the reasons assigned for my vote for printer no dis
sent made or objections offered by the cores
ponding committee and up 10 this lime their silence
assures me that had done nothing meriing rebuke
was among you, at The election, doing batle IN inc
service of The Democracy, coniending against The
old enemy aided by TRAITORS from our own
ranks.
came again TO Washington, determined TO enjoy
my own opinions in silence, and 10 do no aci which
should produce dissenion In our ranks. used no
efforts 10 influence your opinions. In friendly and
private correspondence with some Two or ihr
friends, we had inierchanged views. II was my
purpose to have addressed you at length the Sub
treasury, ms intimated In my letter; bnt iorborc,
from anxiety 10 avoid all cause VI dissenson OF
division.
NV opinions we're known TO you and had been
known TO the members of the Convention for a long
lime. They had become, many months since,
matter OF public notoriey through nv votes and Inc
public prints. As far back as the 9Th o. Mareh
last voted 10 lay the Sub-ireasury bill Of the Senate
the table. One OF my correspondents above ie-
ferred TO- and who was prominent man 10 the Con-
veniion, was acquainted with my. sentiments long
since. And now let me. In candor ask, why has
this Convention, and the movers OF IL so long de-
layed their Iabors Of love" for my political well
being Why did they not at an earlier day, before
my opinions were divulged, before was committed,
by declarations openly and publicly made, before u
was well understood that was opposed 10 The pro-
iect on principle instruct me In the lessons Of duty
Would you, iellowcitizens wish 10 see me disgrac-
ed in the eyes Of all honorable men, to become
thing OF shame and degradation, by suddenly chang
ing my opinions formed after much labor and re-
Fiction, and conscieniiously cherished Had
possessed the purify Of a saint IL could not have
shielded me from the attacks Of the public press and
public opinion. differences OF The most unkind cha
racier would have been deduccd and the most damn
.l.AA To-
and should have been a mark at which would
have been forever pointed the whitening finger Of
scorn and contempt
And what does this Convention, IA body Of men
assuming 10 represent your views, feelings, and
wishes) ask Of me Z They ask Of me 10 surrender
at their fooistool, that which the most humble man
in this Republic has the right and Is proud TO enjoy
Daa 6rhrght q an American szenn II
to offer up on the altar Of party my own honest
vctions OF right and Of duty and by such surrender
to prove recreant TO principle, tratorous TO the
dearest interests Of the country and false TO my
siitutional oath
Do you, the honest and candid Democrats of Che
mango, flor am addressing you more particularly,
than holders and professed politicians ask Of
me such sacrifice, such adegradation7 If so,
have yet 10 learn your characters Though have
not received officially" from any organ of the
Convention, the report Of the proceedings one
has sent me, few days since, the Oxford Republic
can, containing them. In looking over this paper,
could not but admire the joyous haste il discovered
in nonnc ing the news-receivedu undoubtedly by an
ayant courier, in advance of the regular proceed
ings OF the Conventions that Il had denounced the
course Of the Hon. John C. Clark, in opposing the
Independent Treasury bill" And must / be stung
again by these treacberous vipers! The article was
penned under the influence Of that kind feeling
which last fall cassed me with political blacklegsn
and which excited nothing but my contempt. II i'll
becomes the Judas Democrats OF that town to taunt
me with aposiacy, and charge me with dereliction
of duty" II Is well known to you that that paper
in the exclusive service Of the Wings in the last
Falls campaign reviling the Democratic candidates
men, the laichets of whose shoes they are I'M
worthy 10 unloose, and invoking the aid Of heaven
and earth, and doubt NOT hell to defeat the Demo
cratic ticket They did defeat it. While was
riding over the County, and contributing all my
"humble efforts" 10 sustain the party and wrest
i from the hands of the Oxford conspirators,
they were plotting lis ruin, and enojoying in an
tcipation with 6endish delight, victory, achiev-
ed by baseness and ireacheryl And now, for
sooth, they denounce me as Tecreant to political
dutyl Out upon such canting hypocrites. am not
ignorant OF the true cause Of hostility from this
quarter. They are burdened with other than poti-
cal griefs My vote on the Snb-treasury has little TO
do in the connection Of their bile and the illusions
of their malice. Some gentlemen In The centre OF
the county, and of whom one at least, (and for whom
have great respect) at the last election felt the
scorpion fangs Of his lscarot friends can explain
why have been in that paper, consored with black
legs" and why with such eager haste il heralded my
]" announcement" to the world But dismiss these
pure, disinterested patriots to their reflections and
her plottings not doubling, thai they will give the
ticket hearty support this Fall-provided they can
dictate all the nominations
The Convention to which have referred, adopted
The following resolutions:
Resoued, That the crisis demands Of every Repub-
lie IN, sacrifice Of every feeling, but that Of disnter
escd devotion TO tho Of liberty, and the triumph
OF free principles aud that however, we may person
ally regret dereciion from the path Of duty. OF any
whom have copfided, just regard to our princi-
PIES and the welfare Of the Democratic party demands,
that opinions should be freely expressed aud dsap
probation made known, when our representatives dsap-
point expectations, and enbarass, instead of
tanning and principles founded in equity and
WISDOM and calculated TO insure the lasting benefit Of
the country.
Resoipcd, therefore, That the Hon. John G. Clark,
in opposing the independent Treasury bill, from the
Senate, did not act accordance with the wishes OF
the Democracy which elected him, and that his vote
that subject meets detided Interpretation, and
request him to cooperate with the administration,
IN carrying out the principles contained in that bill"
Before proceeding farther, may here with pro-
prieiy remark that no one is disposed TO yield more
difference and respect to public opinion than myself
mean real bona fde public opinion, fairly iully
and legtmately expressed; not the opinion OF few
Paliizan leaders who meet by authority" for the
purpose Of manufacturing public sentiment to order
and for the purpose OF denunciation perchaDce by
order too. mean the public opinion, gathered from
the ballotboxes, the authoritative rescrpts OF The
farmers and mechanics, the bone and sinew of the
country. To such opinion, will bow with submits
sion and respect. With no sinister views, with pa
triotic impulses with hearts glowing with the mild
and pure flame Of Repubcanism, intent only on
their country's good, they at the polls register The
only authentic edct Of the public sense. That edict
should and mus be obeyed.
The resolutions above reced were undoubtedly
intended by the Convention an instruction 10 me,
which IL may have expected would be obeyed. To
what respect are these resolutions entitled al my
hands2 TO this question satisfactorily il is
Convention, assuming to speak for the entire Demo-