The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-26
FEDERALIsM.. Globe.


Gently arisen in South Carolina, has contor-
ted the party folly" Of the official organ into
"grimace" that ought to "banish" from the
mind Of every Loco-foco, all thoughts Of sus-
tanning, in any shape or degree, the federal
sub-Treasury scheme. The editor Of the
Globe, in his paper Of Saturday night, has
placed large portion Of his own party in the
proud category Of federalism, and given them
flashing which the Jack-ketch Of the cat-o'-
nne-tals might justly envy.
After quoting an article from southern
paper, repudiating the doctrine of instruction,
the Globe adds commentary, in which, for
once, we are most happy to concur.
"This," says he, "is the character of Federalism,
North and South. It considers the public officer the
master of the people, when, in fact he Is their serra
II considers him as acting for himself, when, in fact
he acts for others In office is too proud 10 OBEY its
master, or admit that IL has one. The commands of
the people are "contorlions of party folly"-grma-
Of popular levity"-to be despised and disregard
ed. The people are capable Of nothing but contor-
tom and "grimace," and to regard their will "ban
ishes conscience sefrespect, personal dignity, from
the bosom Of everv public agent"
:" The aim Of Federalism has been the same from
the days of Hamilton down. viz legislators indepen-
dent Of the people. Settle the principle that they have
right to do as they please, regardless Of The will OF
their constituents, and they at once become fair OBJ
jects for e1eeutipe influence and bank corruption.
Is not strange that doctrines different should
be held in reference to public affairs and private
In private life an agent who should dispose of the
interests of his principal contrary to instructions,
would be called knare; in public life, the man who
dsregards the instructions Of his principals is call
ed hghminded, independent honorable! Is there any
difference in princple2"
None whatever And we hope the sound
argument of the Globe will impress itself
deeply upon the understandings and conscien-
ces of the Senators from Ohio, Connecticut
and New Jersey, all Of them under the ex-
press instructions Of their principals" Can
they be called high-minded. independeat and
honorable" men, if they disregard their in
structions, when,i in "prigate life, an agent who
should dispose of the interests of his princi-
pal contrary to instructions, would be called
hnape ?" How then, in the opinion Of the
Globe, does it become Senator from Con-
necticut to say, that "he should not obey has
instructions, because, without the votes of
Connecticut, the b-Treasury would not pass
the Senate, even if it should carry in the
Housed" Yet, that is the precise language
we hear from Senator from Connecticut.
But" the aim of federalism has been the same
from the days of HAMILTON down, viz:
legislators Independent Of the people," Could
we expect else then, from the Senators from
Ohio and Connecticut than that, the "contor-
tons" and grimaces" Of the people should be
"despised and disregarded" by them7
This is the manner in which the Sub Urea
sury scheme is sought to be fastened upon the
country against the clearly expressed will of
the people-a scheme that is federal in its
origin-federal in its pan-federal in its ten
dency and object, and federal in all the means
and appliances which are forced into its sup
port at makes the public officer the master
of the people, when, in fact, he is their SER
want. 1t considers him as acting for him SELF
when, in fact, he acts for Others" Most of
those who are about TO vote for it, are hum
bugged into the belief that, "legislators are
Independent Of the people," They have i" set
tied the principle that they have right to do
as they please, regardless Of the will Of their
constituents" and have therefore, become,
as the Globe premises, q" fit subjects for Ex-
ecutive influence"
If the Globe has spoken its conscientious
opinions, we call upon that paper for con-
Sctence' sake, to come to our aid, and resist
with the shield Of truth the insidious efforts
that are now making under the guise of :" de-
moeracy" to foist /" federaHsm' into power
upon the ruins of State rights and popular in
leress. Hear the Chancellor of the Exche-
qner in the House, talk of" perpetuating the
ascendancy' of his party, and of forcing his
measures in spite Of the lamentations" of
the people! See the representatives from Sc
Hera States of the Union, whose constituents
are known to be opposed to the Sub-treasury,
and who, in their own consciences, detest
The measure, agreeing to vote for it under
those circumstances, which you admit, makes
them fit subjects for Executive influence 2"
Observe the Senators from Ohio, Connecticut,
New York, and New Jersey, +" despising and
dsregarding," the" commands of the peo-
pie Is not their conduct striking at the
root Of representative government, and estab-
fishing that against which you protest as the
ann of Federalism, viz: Legislators tnde-
pendent Of the people :" But the moral OBJ
NqNty which regulates your course, and that