The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-22
From the Charlottesville Republican.
PRINCIPLES AND POLICY OF THE
CONSERVATIVES.

The position occupied by that portion of the Re-
publican party who have been separated from the
administration on leading and fundamental ques-
ton of public policy and the course they shall deem
quences of so much importance to the country and
themselves, that public attention has been drawn
upon them with an unusual degree of interest and
curiosity Under these circumstances, we propose
from time to time as our engagements shall permit
to address to our Conservative brethren throughout
the country the views which have occurred to us
of the high duties imposed upon them by the public
crisis and their own principles. The position they
occupy is in our opinion, the noblest to which
virtuous and patriotic ambition can aspire. With
numbers too few to compass any object Of personal
advancement for themselves they yet hold the ba-
lance ofpower between the other contendng parties,
and thus placed in situation to arbtt,ate every
question which shall arise, for the real good of the
nation Their mission is, TO watch over and to guard
the interest Of the country from every assailan and
in the terms of the greatest trust conded to Roman
patriotism (darent operam ne quid respnbca detri-
menti caperet to see that tie Republic in cpent,
sustain any defriment Let them act up to their high
calling in the spirit of men and Of patriots, and with
the conscientious courage which the occasion de-
mands, and the day is not distant when in despite of
temporary denunciation, they will be hailed by the
general voice the benefactors il not the saviours
OF their country. s.... ~. ..
To form Just estimate of the position ofthe Con-
servatives and of the duties and responsibilities de-
voved upon them, it is necessary to retrace events
Tor lew years past, ana particularly, Inc clrcum-
in which their distinctive eaistenee had It's
origin. The most prominent feature in the policy
Of the late administration, and the general rallying-
point of its friends was opposition to National
Bank and support Of the State institutions. When
il was resolved to put an end 10 the Bank of the
United States, il became question of the highest
importance to determine what agency to substitute
for that institution, as well TO conduct the fiscal ope
ralions of the Treasury, as TO supply and regulate
the general currency OF the country. Upon the most
mature consideration and the fullest advisemen the
State Banks were determined to be the proper and
only practical substitute, and systematic plan for
their employment was devised and organized they
were confidently pronounced by the highest official
authority to be competent TO every want OF the 10
vernment and the people, capable of supplying
better eurrencu even than the Bank Of the United
States did, and above all, recommended by the con-
sideration OF being exempt from all danger Of POI
ltcal combination or corrupt influence. The sys-
TEN was accordingly adopted and went into opera
ton Ii received the warmest eulogies, year after
wear of President Jackson in his messages TO Con-
gress, its advantages we're sedulously set forth by
the Secretary of the Treasury in his official reports,
and il was sustained and defended in elaborate re-
ports Of committees Of Congress, as well as in
speeches oil leading members of the administration
party Ii was in truth the system Of the old Repub-
lican party both in 1T9l, when they arrayed them
selves against the establishment Of the first Bank OF
the United States, and again in 1871 when they OPP
posed and prevented the recharter OF that institution
Thus sanctioned and recommended, II became a
touch.stone of Republican orthodoxy, and The whole
party friendly to Gen. Jackson's administration,
united in support of the fiscal employment Of the
State Banks, as fundamental MEASURE Of the party,