The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-05-31
THE HONESTY OF THE PEOPLE,
THE ACTION OF THEIR REPRESEN-
------ TATIXES. -----

In his message at the extra session Of Con-
g,ess, Mr. Van Buren,. addressing himself to
the Representatives of the people, said: Com
ing directly from the midst of them, and
knowing the course of events in every Sec
ton of our country, from you may best
be learnt as well the extent and nature of
these embarrassments, as the most desirable
measures Of relief"
That embarrassment pervaded the whole
country at that time. from the centre to the
remotest borders, was too evident to admit OF
diversity Of opinion. None existed; all
agreed on this point. m,-..
AS to the most desirable measures of re-
lief great division of opinion among the
people had already been manifested by them
previously. The measure proposed by the
President, (the Sub-Treasury,) had then al
ready been extensively discussed by the peo-
pie. 1t had been condemned by all those
opposed to the Administration, as well as by
a large part of those who had previously sup
ported it in all its leading measures and were
prepared to support it still, in most, if not all,
but this one. Their Representatives came
together bearing thither similar feelings at the
extra session. A determination on the part
of many of the latter class, to oppose the Sub
Treasury scheme, should it be recommended
by the Executive, preceded their coming.
That measure was recommended by the
President. 1t passed through the Senate.
Some Of those who declared their hostility to
it in advance, were found advocating it, and
voting for it 1t was sent to the other branch
of the Legislature and there laid on the table.
In the interim between that period and the
assembling of Congress at its regular session,
when it was again recommended by the Ex-
ecutive, an expression Of the people was in
voked, through the discussion the proposition
then underwent. Whenever an opportunity
was afforded, the opinion of the people was
cmpdaticaliy declared against the measure by
overwhelming majorites. ..
Notwithstanding these manifestations Of
popular sentiment against it, the measure was
again recommended by the Executive, and
again carried through the Senate. On this
occasion, again Senators We're found support
ing it, who had before declared themselves
against it and others, too, doing the same,
in direct and open disregard of the expressed
will of their constituents The bill was sent
from the Senate to the House, and there again
laid on the table.
From the moment the measure was Sc
cond time recommended by the President, ex-
pressions of the will Of the people have been
constantly declared against it, in all quarters,
and in the most unequivocal manner. In fire.
ouent instances, it has been carried into the
seats of their Representatives.. II must be
clear and manifest to all who wish to see the
truth, and be guided by it and the will Of the
people. that at least three-fourths of the whole
nation are opposed to the Sub-Treasury
scheme in any and every form; and both re-
pudiate and condemn it.
Under such circumstances, and with the
existence of such facts, is with no small de-
gree of alarm, that we hear it now boastfully
and exultingly asserted by some of the sub
seruient Sub-treasurYiteS, that they shall sue
ceed in carrying the measure through the
House Of Representatives at this session.
We say, we hear ii nth emotions of alarm,