The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-27
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

sUB-TREAsURY-OM
If all, all the signs of the times, and oil the
evidence that can operate upon the UNDER
standing to produce conviction, be not decep-
tive beyond the reach Of detection, then we say
that the proof is most incontestble that the
Sub-treasury measure is obnoxious to popular
opinion.
What is this proofi We answer, that since
this measure was introduced by the Executive,
and became leading part Of the administra-
ton policy, almost every popular election that
has taken place, whether local or general in
the Ststes, has resulted in defeat Of the adj
ministration party, or great reduction Of its
strength--State after State has, through the
ballot boxes, broken off its allegiance to the
administration, and all seems 10 threaten the
same result. The chain Of party is broken,
and its fragments lie upon every path way over
which opinion travels. Party discipline, which
has heretofore resisted every incurson and de-
fled every assault has given way under this
severe trial, and in all directions the multitude
is turning, and even the cohorts Of the army
are looking more to their country than their
party. In despite of Executive power, ON
nipotent and omniscient as it is, and never
more actively exerted than at this tme-in
despite Of party appeals and party threats,
public meetings are convened in many parts
of the country by the avowed friends Of the
administration, denouncing the Sub-reasury
scheme as oppressive and ruinous. Many Of
the electors who voted for Mr.. Van Buren,,
some fifteen months since, and who, conse-
quently, had the strongest obligations to sup
port him, have publicly denounced this mea-
sure.
The democratic press, which spoke in one
united voice for Mr.. Van Buren's promotion
to the Chief Magistracy, is now against him
on this question, and some of its oldest and
hest soldiers are admonishing him in the
strongest appeals to his patriotism to turn
from this idol and save himself and his party
before it be too late. These are some of the
active and speaking proofs against the Sub
treasury curse and scourge. But this is not
the only kind Of proof There is one that is
as mute as the grave, but it is terrible in its
silence, and comes home to the senses as
strong as though it spoke in the tone of thun-
der. tits confined to no place and to no par
ty---it is co-extensive with the country, and
belongs to the country. 1t is the dropping
wings OF commerce, it is the sluggish march of
al IL y . sill b,r tha
sleeping shuttle, it is the gloom that hangs
around suffering, it is the moral degeneracy
that is stealing in upon us with the silent
tread Of death, and it is the mournful attitude
of the genius Of our country over the ruined
prospects, the blighted hopes, and the gather
ing desolation that has overtaken and is over
taking so many thousands throughout our
land. These are all preparing to resist the
tyranny that binds them in poverty and pain /;
and when they move, il will be with power
that will defy restraint.
Where is that prosperity that pervaded all
our country but twelve mouths since2 Where
is all that joy that gladdened every heart
Where is that upward way to fame that we
we're so rapidly travelling Where is that
active industry and gathering commerce that
gave power and wealth to our much favored
land They are gone, and the monuments Of
our change and ruin are thick around us. 1t
is not in the nature Of our people TO bear with
this sad reverse, or to feel Indifferent as to the
cause. 1t is all traceable to the miserable in
fatuation that first conceived prolific mis-
chief, and then resolved to persevere in it. 1t
was the fatal blow that was aimed at the credit
system, and the Sub-treasury scheme that was
to consummate it that has palsied the giant
limbs Of our young republic.
We now say 10 Mr.. Van Buren,, more in
sorrow than in anger, that if he wishes to pre-
serve his power, if he wishes to get name
that will 60 down to posterity with honor, il
he wishes to preserve his party in unity and in
peace, il he wishes to honor the first duty OF
Chief Magistrate to respect the will of the
people, if he wishes to give his county Joy ra-
Their than grief, let him abandon the odous
Sub-treasury measure, and rather than try by