The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-22
TO THE REPUBLIcANs OF THE UNITED
STATES.

severe connci, as interesting ana Important 10 the
Republic as any that has ranspired since its organ
zalion. The cause, and our course, have attached
to us many interests which will not permit us 10 re-
tire as contemplated.
A period has arrived. therefore, when il has be-
come necessary In justice 10 ourself and the public
10 indicate our course for the future
II is well remembered that the MADsoNiAs was
established IN the conviction thai the great character
and interests Of The country as well as the success OF
the administration quired another organ al the seat
of the National Government. Born 10 the Republic
can faith, and nurtured in Republican doctrines, we
were DESTROYS of seeing The leading principles Of the
party 10 which We were attached preserved and car
ried out, not only In theory, but in practice. We
pledged ourself 10 sustain the principles and doc
rines 4 the Republican party, as delineated by Mr..
MADISON and came here 10 good faith TO support the
present administration upon Me principles whieh go.
pered he party whieh elected Nh. Van Burea, and
9pon Ae pledges By cAich that election scas secured
We have throughout strictly adhered those prin-
ciples Had the Executive of this nation done the
same; had he received In the spirit In which il was
offered, the advice Of his best rends, the continue
ance of this paper would not have been necessary,
nor should have beheld the distracted counses by
which he is governed, or have seen the dsjointed
and defeated party BY which he is surrounded.
No Chief Magistrate, since the DAYS of Washing
ton ever to that high station under more favor
able auspices than Mr. Van Buren, A combination
of circumstances, which seldom transpire, clearly
indicated the way to the affections of the people and
gave him the power to have dsarmed opposition by
the very measures which would have esiahls shed his
popularity. But, ll-omened and evil counses pre-
vailed, and the hopes of that political millennium,
which many Republicans cherished as the ful6nent
oftheir creed were disappointed and postponed
Whilst the MApIsoNIAN and its friends were en-
deavorng to restore the prosperity of the country,
the Executive and his advisers were urging forward
measures directly calculated to destroy ito keep
the country convulSed and prostrate-measures,
subversive OF The principles of Republican govern
ment and tending 10 the establishment Of an unmt-
tgated dasposm Accompanied as they were by
war upon the CREDIT system of the country, and an
unusual spirit Of intolerance, denunciation and
prescription, Justice could not have required nor
honesty expected any suppor inconsistent Repubi-
cans. In that spirit OF independence and love of
freedom which characterized the founders of our
institutions we resisted these nefafous attempts 70
depreciate and DESTROY them, with the best of our
ability The same spirit which prompted us to do
this finds no justification in supporting the men who
made it necessary.
It is an nconroverble truth, that every prominent
act Of this administration has been an open, une-
quivocal violation Of everv principle and profession
up,n which Mr.. Van Buren, was elevated to the
Chief Magistracy by the people.
In his upholding he specie circular, which made
Determinations unauthorized by law, and which
had been twice condemned by Congress;
In his recommending the Sub Treasury scheme,
contemplating union of the purse and the sword,
and the subversion of the entire practice Of the GO
vernment and still persisting in it, Notwithstanding
it has been fur times condemned BY the Represen-
atives of the people;
In his Recommendation of a Bankrupt law 10 be
passed by Congress- applicable only to corporations
SO that this government should possess an absolute
control all the State institutions, and be able to
crush them all, at pleasure and taking all urisdic
ton them from the hands ofthe State tribunals
In his breaking faith with the States, by recon-
mending repeal of the distribution law;
In his repeated recommendations Of the issue of
Treasury notes. 10 supply the place Of legal money,
recurring thus to the exploded and ruinous practice
OF depreeiated government paper money for circu.
lating medium; thus exercising power derived
only from loose construction Of the Constitution
and repudated by the best Republican authorities;
In his attempt to establish Treasury Bank with
an rredeemahle paper-money circulation;
Ia his effort 10 overthrow the State Bank Deposite
system, established by President Jacks n and take
the public moneys into his actual custody and con-
troll;
In his attempt TO divorce the government from the
interests and sympathies OF the people;
In his attempt to create a multitude of new Off
ces, and 10 send swarms Of officers to harrass our
people, and cal out their substance"
In his attempt to stake away our charters, abolish
most valu BILE laws, and alter fundamentally, the
powers Of ur governments"
In his display of sectional Partially;
In his cold indifference to the interests and wants
ofthe people during period Of extreme suffering;
In his attempt 10 throw discredit upon, and even
tuay to crush the State banks through the revenue
power Of the government, and embarrass the re-
sumption of specie payments;
In permitting the patronage Of his office TO come
In his open contempt Of the will OF the people as
expressed through the ballot box;
In his attempt TO cram obnoxious measures down
the threats Of dissenting brethren by means unbecom
ing magnanimous Chief Magistrate;
In his refusal to acquiesce in the decisions OF the
majority; and
In the despotic attempt Of his partisans in the U.
S Senate on the I'd July, inst. TO seize the public
treasure by abolshing all law for its custody and
safe keeping
He has abandoned the principles by which he came
into power, and consequently the duty which they
prescribed and he has obstinately persevered in
his erroneous course as TO preclude all reasonable
hope OF his retracing il.
And finally, to this long catalogue of grievances
we may add what may be considered minor Of
fence, but certainly very obnoxious one that con-
trary TO all preconceived opinions of his character
Mr.. Van Buren, has rendered himself the most
inaccessible both friends and adversaries of all the
Chief M ,gistr ties that ever filled his station.
And fro all these considerations, 10 what conclu-
sion the nation come but that their Chief Magis-
trate is either wanting in integrity, or wanting in
edpacity?
We need moi say that we expected different things
of public servant bound bv his sacred pledges, to
regard The national will the supreme law Of The
Republic That blind infatuation which has needed
not this rule Of the American people, must and
ought to meet its reward and sink in indiscrninate
and everlasting overthrow.
The financial policy OF this Administration cannot
be sustained upon any principle OF necessity, expe
diency, utility practical philosophy or sound econo
my. IT'S plain object, the perpeln,ty of power, and
its plain effect the destruction OF the banking system
require, Of course, too great sacrifice from the
American people 10 be, for moment tolerated.
The greatdesderatum, sound, uniform and con-
venent currency. and system that will equaze, as
nearly as practicable the domestic exchanges Is de-
manded by the practical wants Of the people, and,
sooner or later, in form or another, will be OBJ
tanned BY them. To accomplish this end and 10
preserve and regulate the credit system Of The
country which this administration has attempted to
impair, will be of the great objects for which
we feel constrained TO continue our labors a
No Administration of this Cove rnmenI can nros-