The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-05
PARTY--ITs LANDMARKS.

appeals 10 party, and never such party intolc-
rance as at this time. The cabalistic term
party, is the cant Of demagogucs, the watch.
word Of zealo,s, and the hack-hobby OF The
serle and the ignorant
Without any definite or consistent idea Of
principles, name sancti6es every measure,
or name dishonors every act. Every
measure is good or bad as it squares with the
classification Of parties, without any kind Of
reference to merit or dement,, or the affinity
OF the principle to the original basis of party
Parties originated in reference 10 certain fun
damental principles upon which the Govern
ment shoyld be administered
These were at that day specifically defined,
and were thoroughly understood. Men mar
shalled themselves under the respective ban
ners, as they believed the tendency Of their
measures was best calculated TO subserve the
salutary ends Of Government. The difference
arose from a difference of perception, Incl
dental to the organization OF mind, and the
varying circumstances of education and the
object Of all was, common effort Of patriot
ism.
Parties moved on under the recognized
alternate success. AS the theory of Govern
ment became better understood and the prac-
teal operations Of each party passed the
ordeal of experience, the developments be-
came stronger and stronger, that the principles
of the Republican party were to be the settled
doctrines OF popular appreciation.
Under three consecutive administrations.
this party had acquired such an ascendancy,
that the minority ceased to exist as a party,
and became merged in the great republican
family. Subsequently, parties began to form
upon principles that were essentially local and
sectional, growing out Of new interests, and
the policy of the Government in reference to
the new developments. Since that period,
parties have assumed various phases, more in
connection with this new state OF things, than
in reference to the doctrines that originally
existed. The primitive landmarks of party
were so oblitera,ed by the amalgamalion, that
the original settlers differ as to the proprietor
ship of the ancient domain, and the title seems
to be disputed upon pre-emption on the one
hand, and the patents on the other
The party administering the Government,
claim to be the exclusive representatives of
the Republican party, and assume the right,
of not only reviving an obsolete and offensive
party name, but of classifying under that name
every dissentent from their false and arbitrary
standard of orthodoxy. And they arrogate
the sole right of being the only judges in de-
Gliding the disputed title, in which they are
one of. the parties litigant We not only
take exceptions TO their title and all the rights
claimed under ii, but we deny absolutely their
right to be the sole Judges under it, in the
decision.
The right of decision belongs to the gene
raj court, composed of all the people and there
we shall rest our interests in this matter
These dctators may exercise the privilege of
being heard in their defence, and so shall we.
We say upon the authority of incontrover-
uble facts that those who profess to be the
exclusive guardians Of the Republican party,
have not only rejected some of the fundamen-
tai principles of that party, but they have
wandered into the regions of the widest here
sizes to hunt up spurious offspring and baptise
1t in the name and pure faith of The primitive
church What are the facts ?
They are striving to increase Executive
power beyond the limits of the constitution
and the safety of the country.
They are endeavoring to place in the same
hand the purse and the sword
They are attempting to destroy the sove-
reignty of the states, and to create virtual
consolidation.
They resist practically, the will of the ma
jority and refuse the right Of conscience, and
punish the freedom of opinion.
Each and all of these odious ant-republi-
can doctrines are struggling for existence and
mastery under the auspices and defence of
those who arrogantly claim to be the republ-
can party and who hold the reins of Co
vernment They are to he found in the incep-
ton, progress and unyielding advocacy of the
Subtreasury.
The facts connected with another charge
against the exclusives of the party, involve the
fellowship they have given TO the disciples of
Fanny Wright, and her crusade against mo-
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