The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-09
THE sUB-rREAsURY BILL.

ways and Means, Is to BIO taken up on Mon
| day next. Many Of its friends are counting
with great confidence upon its passage. Some
have even calculated the majority by which
they imagine they shall carry it.
Those sanguine temperaments that antici-
pate such result may have reasons for their
| hopes, which all may not be able to appre-
ciate. When the history Of tho session is
closely scanned, and we consider the unscru-
puous, not to say outrageous means, that are
constantly sought, and the unparalleled efforts
that are constantly made, to muster a majority
Of the votes Of the House, we confess we
should not be surprised at any result the
friends OF the bill may have dictated. We
have, however, had firm reliance upon the in
tegrity of the representative character-know-
ing that clear and large majority Of the peo-
pie are against the bill, we have confidently
expected TO see the embodied majesty Of their
will, faithfully shadowed forth in Congress.
But the startling prophecy of McDufie, in
reference to the liability to corruption, warns
US that we may have calculated too much upon
the virtue OF consistency and the sentiment Of
honor. The log-rolling system seems to have
been conducted with the most magnificent
success, seducing and crushing much Of the
patriotism that once perhaps glowed in the
bosoms of members. Patriotism! Where
is it TO be foundl In the wanton disregard of
the interests of the country by the admnstra-
ton, on the one hand, or the indiscriminate
and violent warfare against every measure not
their own, by the opposition on the other! | It's
but thing that hath been, and we re member it
only as we mark the council fire ofthe Aborig-
mes, by the stakes and ashes where it famed.
We might enumerate many important bills
having local bearing that have been kept
back, but to purchase votes through the hopes
and fears Of their friends, or by pledge of a
mutual exchange of votes!
Immediately after the decisive election in
Connecticut, we announced, upon good au-
thority, that the delegates from that State con-
sidered the result as tantamount TO instructions
on that question, and that they would obey
them accordingly, by voting against the bill.
What was our surprise-what will be the
surprise, nay, what will be the indignation of
the people of Connecticut, TO learn that these
representatives, according TO common report,
have been induced to modify their democratic
regard for the will of their constituents, and
have determined to vote for the bill of abomi-
nations If such shall prove the fact, deep
er wound will never have been inflicted upon
the character Of a representative government.
A GREAT CRIME will have been committed,
whose scarlet hues cannot be etfaced by
half century of good works Have they not
s,oorn to support and defend the Constitution
of the United States? And arc they all
satisfied in their eonSciences that the Sui
Treasury system will not overturn the balance
of the Constitution, and throw the prepon-
derating power into the hands of the Execu-
tive branch! If they have studied it as
deeply and earnestly as we have, we are sure
they cannot, upon their oaths say that they
are satisfied Let them profit, then, by the
great principle of moral philosophical the
two sides of a question, the one of which is
safe and the other doubtful, we are bound to
take the safe side. =.
The same may be addressed to the repre-
sentatves of all those States wherein cleo
tons have been held since the Sub-Treasury
question was presented for their decision In
no instance, for nine months past, except in
those Of New Hampshire and South Carolina,
can the friends of this bill find any justifca-
ton in the action of the people for urging its
passage. On the contrary, every indication
from the States, except in the instances be-
fore mentioned, has been that of unequivocal
and positive opposition TO it. How, then, in
the name of the people, can or dare any adj
ministration openly contemn and defy the
popular voice, by passing or even urging a
measure, which will not be tolerated 1t is
most unprecedented outrage upon the rights
of the people, if not a stab at freedom itself.
We are now very near the period when the
question will probably be defni'ively settled
for the session at least. Many members of
the opposition are absent In consequence Of
their absence the bill may be passed. IF
all arc present The bill wiH be defeated bya
small Majority BY the death of Mr.. LAW
LER and the absence Of Mr. Smith, Of Maine,
we have lost two votes against it. The best
service our friends can perform now, there
fore, is to urge the immediate return to their
seats of all members of the opposition now
absent.