The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-10-10
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOE THE MADisoSiAS.
THE THIRD PARTY.

THE THIRD PARTY.
Say, reader, see you not at ue space ahead, this
Conservative squad" hourishing as the green bay
tree, and numbering an innumerab,e host Hear
you not their shouts OF victory2
The National Bank party and the sub-treasury
party known and admitted by all be the field
to be well organizedto be contending with all the
might Of each, for the ascendancy in the national
councils. And it is asserted by men, considerate
and sensible other subjects, that third party can
not be raised and organized, and be distinct from
those mentioned The assertion, unfounded as II is,
is calculated, as il was doubtless intended to
or coerce the minimizing to arrange themselves I'M
der the banner of the the other Of those par
ties Man is social being, and tree men will form
themselves into parties with respect to the principles
and policy Of those who administer the public affairs
as well as Of those who aspire to be clothed with the
trust and authority. Very few, IL any, are willing
TO stand neuer and join neither, when there but
two contending parties. Hence, there being two
paries the assertion that third cannot be formed
leads all who believe in it, to join one or the other of
the parties already formed-to join il, rather than
stand neuter-to join il and at length become cou-
rageous: when, did they think third party could
be formed, that assertion being untrue, they would
selves under the banner of the third as soon as
ganized.
1t has been said, in substance, by the celebrated
Burke, that when the organized parties are corrupt
and their measures are unjusti6able, the good man
may content himself with standing neuetr, sad
spectator OF the conending parties. cannot unite
in this sentiment but dissent from it with charity
think the good man should at least make an effort
to build up third party, and to resist the unwise or
corrupt measures of the other two
In the present state ofthe public affairs there are
enlightened patrons of the public liberty who think
the favorite measure of each of the aforementioned
parties, is unwise and full of inherent ills. What
are they to do 2 They cannot and will not join
either. Shall they stand neuter? To permit
wrong to be done by another, when one may prevent
it, is, in my judgment criminal to do the wrong
ourself What then must those friends of the public
liberty do? Social beings and knowing there is
strength in concert they disposed toform party
of their own. And, 10! they are met with the as
sertion, uttered though by clothed with plena-
ry powers to prevent it, thai third party cannot be
| formed Now, let us inquire into this.
The two parties mentioned above, have been
formed with reference to the measures of currency
and fiscal agency, proper in their judgments to be
the formation of each of those parties 1t is expected
the leaders Of each will adhere the favori,e
sure of each. Certain other leading characters are
opposed to both of them, and propose another mea-
sure best calculated in their judgments to advance
the public prosperity. These leaders understand
the subjects to which their respective measures re-
late Most OF those in authority having been elected
by the people for their intelligence to represent
them, understand the subjects to which the mea-
sures of their respective leaders relate. The
people at large know less about these subjects
than about any other pertaining to their prosperity.
The people are looking for light to guide them in
arranging themselves under the banners of these
vera classes Of leaders. Who can say that this por-
tion or that, of the people, when fully enlightened
on these complex subjects, and prepared to take
stand, shall join the incorporated National Bank lead
ers the Sub-treasury leaders, and not the leaders
of third party friendly to the State Bank Deposte
system7 And who shall say what number of the
people shall join this third party? This third party
among the representatives of the people, being al
ready formed and strong enough TO prevent the
cess of either of the other parties who shall say that
a third party of the people shall not be formed or
| cannot be?
In short, why may not more parties than three be
formed In fact the contested assertion when in
vesligaed, is found to be insensble and senseless
And who are they that have pressed the assertion
into their service7 Why, they they who are OPP
posed to National Bank, and profess to be opposed
to the Subtreasury scheme, and talk necessarily,
as vaguely about a special deposite scheme, which
would at best be CHEAT
.... .... PUBLUs