The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-09


credit the infamous charge, but because We think IT in
dcats that accurate nfonalon Of the st9e OF public
feeling and sentiment is most unFgaeonsly kept rom
the first magistrate Of the nation.
Having assembled TO express our sentiments TO you
in candoT time when the people '-bound IN sack
CLOTH and huinbled IN the dust Of adversely. cousul-
sion and RIM and when proposition - s1Tenuously
urged which viii put upon lhe servants OF the peoples
golden livery, cannon TeiraT from asking Of your rea-
son aud Judgment, whether the Federal Movement
can stand exoneraed from oil participation ~ producing
the distresscs which the people suterngl Whatever
other circumstances may have existed we believe That
/ the financial embarrassment and pecunlary distress
have been highly aggravated and proiracted by the
OF tho Executive department IN respect 10 The
! currency.
! Let us look at the condition Of the People of the
United States before thesysemofex experimenting COM
menced; Were not the most free, the most pros
porous, the most fully employed and happy people
on the face Of the globe In what other country IN
the wide expanse OF the universe, was The eondiiion
| of The poor, the mechanical, laboring and produc-
ing citizens, thriving unIrammelled and free
| We have experienced since series OF measures
/ of government and finance attended with distress
suffering, and want; depriving The poor OF their
employment, the manufacturer OF hispnrchaser, and
i closing up with general public and private bank
4 ruptcy. The highest prosperity has been suddenly
changed TO the lowest adversely; the greatest happi-
ness The greatest suffering and misery The greatest
| abundance 10 need and want. And for what pnr-
pose have we been enduring evils more fearful and
| suffering agonzing than the distresses OF
state of war: Has been 10 prepare rs for an un-
j tried expedient 4" Who shall answer 10 us for its
| success Who shall save us from the ruinous con-
i sequences OF It's failure
/ We are opposed to the "un'ried expedent" in
| both the Sub.Treasury and Especial Deposie"
forms. We are opposed TO all separation and all
discrimination between the government and the
| people.
We still recognise the people as constituting the
government, and the money the people use and re-
ceiye from each other, they will receive again from
the government We avow ourselves hostile 70 any
plan which imposes condition that the pubic dues
shall be received and disbursed in gold and silver
only, as unnecessarily and oppressiyely lyrannical
and arbitrary.
Etlloc C.iiseas, the crisis calls upon TO speak
like frecmen! There is an urgency and haste in
forcing this hard money measure so subyeTsiye
Of the principles of our government upon our re-
representatives., which indicates fear Of the return
ing wave Of popular Indignation The public feel
ing on this "disorganising and revolutionary mea-
sure" is awakened, and the torrent cannot b. re-
sisted The effort to check its expression, will but
add power TO the current, and the rights liberty
and happiness OF the people, will be preserved
through their vigilance.
While calling your attention TO matters of
public interest, we beg leave 10 direct il 10 few
topics within our state. We apprehend that
there has been a departure from the strict repub-
lican principles in Of the practices here which
in inviting your attention 10 the old land marks,
is worthy OF notice. The Republican Candidates
for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, were origi-
nally nominated by the Republican Members Of the
Legislature, and they published address 10 the
Electors in connection with their proceedings. The
movement of the people in the year 1924, caused an
abandonment of the Legislative Caucus, 10 make
the nominations and Slate Convention called
in the year 1926 for that purpose and has continued
to b. the mode of selecting candidates for Governor
and Lieutenant Governor for the Democratic Re
publican party. The Republican members Of the
Legislature, although longer performing the
Office of selecting candidates, have continued TO put
forth an address 10 the electors and have made the
calls for the state conventions. We submit to you
a
causing the rule OF party action 10 come from the
servants instead of the people. These legislative
addresses have been generally framed with the aid
OF but few individuals and adopted by the mass Of
melibcrs, without the opportunity OF an examina-
tion, and have afterwards been held to contain the
standard of political orthodoxy until the succeeding
year should bring forth another test Of political
principle and measure of political conscience. II
appears TO us that the delegates of the people chosen
for the purpose, and assembled in convention, are
the competent and only appropriate Democratic Re
publican body, to make known their sentiments and
liinentions We hold the Representatives, indyidu-
ally, accountable TO the people, and would have each
man answer for himself TO his constituents; but
would not have the people answer TO their represen-
tatiyes, or TO any set OF men, for their views
and conduct. We recommend this subject for your
investigation and reflection, and tender our concur
renee in the opinions of the majority of Repub
lican fellow citizens.
The currency Of our state is also in dcplorabe
condition, demanding the early action of the people
through their representatives. Our citizens
|
common medium Of circulation the small bills ssu-
ed by foreign corporations, while the banks of
own State are prohibited by law from supplying our
citizens with this essential part of the currency
the present period. The exclusion of the small
notes of our State operates injuriouSy upon all,
and subjects us, TO taxation in the interest upon the
circulation to our sister States We are in favor o
a suspension of the act prohibiting our Banks from
issuing bills under the denomination Of five dollars,
that they may meet the wants and convenience of
our citizens, and expel the foreign circulation.
On the important subject of our State internal i'm
provemenS we beg leave TO call your attention 10 its
former grandeur and glory, and its present condition
within our borders. During the administration of
Dewitt Clinton, our State acquired a standing for
the extent of its public works, the boldness of its
plans for improvements and the sudden and success
full completion of their important details, worthy Of
its population and resources, and placing IL in the
front rank of the Confederacy
The noble example, and proud results of this great
employment Of our ample means and credit have
stimulated our sister States 10 improve their terri
tories and the means Of inter-communication, and
emulate us in the honorable career of advancement.
But in the mean time the mighty and once active
energies OF our State seemed TO become paraliZed
the works lately undertaken although of an impor-
tant local, wanting in general character; and
our neghboring State, Pennsylvania, has continued
her gigantic efforts, undaunted by the obstacles Of
nature, unmindful of the doubs of the tmid, and
regardless of the Sneers and reproaches of the env
Gus and misiudging, until she has become power
full rival and dangerous competitor for the trade Of
the great West Her statesmen have most Justly es-
timaed her resources, and the rapid development OF
her wealth and revenues and they have not paused
in the discharge of their high and patriotic duties
to conciliate appcase the facous the Designing
no petty leaousieS diStTust of her citizens her
strengt has relaxed, her devotion to the public wei
! fare and her rapid progress, now calls upon the
/ citizens of New York To decide whether the Empire
State" shall ;ake second rank in the confederacy-
. we tpft hp rpS pur fal-