The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-03
From The Times 4 Commercial htsLIgeneer
CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY.


as the present There is example in the po
lItical history Of this or any other country OF such
revolution IN public sentiment, has toen witnessed
the United States, m one year. And there has been
no time, since the organization Of the national govern
ment when the future prospects Of the democracy
shrouded IN deeper gloom than we find them
Though we may raise voices and stretch out our
arm, IN vain, 10 save the sinking fortunes of pot
cal inends It may not be entirely idle the
which have compromised ascendency and produced
the momentous revolution which is rolling TO It's full
hlment
It will be fresh in the recollection of ALL tina, in the
Spring Of 1885 after the nomination Of Mr. Van Buren,
to the Presidency the successful of the measures
Of the late administration had almost entirely dsarncd
the opposition, and the probability fair that the de-
mocratc candidate would walk the course without
serious effort TO impede his triumph the part Of
his.opponens, As party, We were strong in all the
States. The wings had become latgued with political
sre all their exertons TO embarass overthrow Gen
Jackson, had sgnaly failed ard tho friends of the sd
ministraon united as one man, animated by common
spirit, and organized like trained legion upon whose
standard victory had perched, began realize the feel
ngs OF the Macedonian Phaanx, whose leader having
penetrated the most distant shores Of India, wept
that there were more worlds for him TO conquer
Subdued aud displrlted, the OF opponents be-
gan TO lay down their weapons, aud from the
contest TO the pursuits of private life, where the fruits
OF industry and enterprise depended upon the caprice
OF numbers, or the hopes OF years toll dssipat
Cd by the returns Of the ballot box During this ausp
cous state u things unfortunately for the country and
Tor the party, Gen Jackson issued his famous specie
Circular the effect OF which, with the execution of the
deposite and distribution laws went to disturb the
operations OF trade, and prccipatc threatened pres
sure IN the money market Whatever may have been
the motives to the adoption Of the Treasury order of
July, It's consequences were disastrous, and failed TO
receive the pubic appreciation. The revulson which
was communicated 10 commercial affairs, extended itself
into the political circles, and when the elections took
place instead OF Mr. Van Buren's having been carried
trumphanty over the course he barely escaped with
his election and that secured by nicely balanced ma lo
ties, III several of the States New Jersey, Georgia
Ohio and Illinois had seeded entirely from the demo
cratic compact and Connecticut, Rhode Island Mssls
slppi and Louisiana, and may add Pennsy yanla
stood trembling IN the balance, If in indifference to
the result. Still Mr. Van Buren, was elected, and the
wings, again disappointed, and excluded from all nhu
ence or participation IN the administration OF public al
fairs for tho succeeding four years generally manifested
disposition to yield The storms and conflicts of the party
to their more fortunate competitors, aud acquesce III
the choice OF the people.
Never wss there offered more proptous opportunity
for chief magistrate Of the Republic ngraate HIM
sell with all classes, and 10 establish the party whom
he owed his election upon immovahle basis, than Mr.
Van Buren, enjoyed at the period of his Inauguration
into office OF the Presidency. The flush Of excitement
by which his election had been endangered subsd
ing, and the public mind only prevented from set
thing down INTO state OF comparative tranquility by the
pressure IN commercial affairs which depended for allie
walton upon the course of policy pursued by the new
administration. repeal OF the specie circular and
the adoption OF tone Of kindness aud sympathy by the
official journal, would have inspired confidence and
made thousands OF hearts leap for Joy the prospect OF
a CLOSER con union between the Government and the
people. Every body anticipated the repeal matter
OF course, aud looked for prompt upon the sub
Ject. All were in favor Of 1t. The written request Of
thTty-two republican members OF the Senate for the
repeal was bat echo Of the popular and all
regarded Mr.. Van Buren, of two much saga
CITY, aud too faithful follower Of Jefferson, hesitate
to yield obedience to the dictates of public opinion.
But fatally for him, his friends and his country,
conceive, the idea that There no pressure which
an honest man could regret" still prevailed at Wash
ingon, and after waiting for the rescisson Of the 1rea
sury order. for several weeks vain the sickness Of
hope deferred took possession Of the public mind, conf
deuce dropped, panic ensued, and finally the banks in
tins city suspended payments IN specie This extraor
binary even happened IN time Of profound peace,
whilst all the wheels of industry in full motion,
and all the Of the country the progress
Of abundant development, but had tempered so long
and unwisely with the mainsprng of our prosperity,
credit, public and private that yielded IN hands
like strained bow The tide Of suspension
rolled through the land prostratng the weak and the
strong alike and heapmg up, IN It's course, fearful me
morals oil lis strength and fury.
Many INDUCED the hope that the cup full, |
and that the administration, sensible OF its would
rerace lis steps. But this expectation dashed by
the incorporate language Of the official journal. which
commenced the Illumination Of abusive charges against
particular classes of citizens wlthou, respect their
political sentiments, and which it boosted Of being
distinguished by the confidence of the administration,
were deemed by the public as bearing demi-oiclal
character Embeled attacks upon the Banks and the
Merchants OF the city OF New York, couched IN style
Of sulenncss and vulgarty, that made the best
friends of Mr. Van Buren, blush for his relation to it,
"a ha pIa and Tho hDcIn DI
the country with appearance of the settled hostility OF
the government against lis revival The contrast eX
hblted by the perseverng efforts Of the official organ
to influence the passions OF the mass against the state
institutions, led many believe that the President was
the victim OF cabal at Washington, who resolved
TO force him into course OF policy to which his own
feelings and judgment rcpugnant. So far had this
impression gone abroad that the projected resort to the
new aud "untrled cxpedent." preached in the Globe,
at this period, was nowhere believed TO receive the |
Presidents countenauce or APPRECIATION The public |
mind therefore totally unprepared for the recon-
mendatlon contained in the message Congress, at the
Extra Session, for the dscontnuancc Of the agency OF
the deposte banks, and the establishment OF the Sub
Treasury system.
The introduction of a bill in accordance with the |
views Of the Message into the Senate, its passage
through that body, subsequent failure in the House,
circumstances fresh IN the recollection OF our
readers
In this attitude of apparent hostility to the business
interests Of the country the administration went down |
to the elections for expression of the popular voice
upon its measures 1t is needless to recapuate the
results Defeat, disastrous and huml ang, dmin- |
shcd maortles, equally significant OF the public will,
every where attended efforts, ard warned the ad
mlnlstratlon that IT'S scheme Of divorce was not
sanctioned by the people
There stronger and more indelenshle topics in
the December message, Than the renewal OF The Sub |
Treasury recommendation We have never questioned, |
however, Mr.. Van Burens motives in submitting this
proposition TO his fellow. citizens. aud have felt
disposition to throw emharrassments around him after
his position first taken, far necessary to