The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-24
Senate, in Senatorial speeches,

the Globe, the Senate, in Senatorial speeches,
and elsewhere.
II shall b. our task 10 unfold them thar our read
ers may know 10 what The high misdemeanors olth,
worthy virginian consist"
! Mr.. Riycs has been guilty Of consistency,
Of political honesty, Of adhering TO the ancient
landmarks Of Conservative principles, and Of
maintaining his stand on the ground he occu-
pied in 1884, with those who now revile him.
IN relation TO the sub-treasury scheme, when
u was then brought forward by the opposition
as federal measure. He has not changed,
while those have changed who charge him
with Inconsistency and invidiously intimate
doubts as TO whether the motives which now
actuate him, originate in patriotism. They have
abandoned their democratic doctrines Of 1884,
and have adopted the schemes Of the Federal
lists of that year and because he has the mo-
raj courage TO adhere to original principles he
is singled out, and denounced as " Federal
isl" and TRAITOR in the official organ of
The Administration. Mr.. Riyes is not the only
distinguished individual who has thus fallen
under the displeasure Of the Globe party, for
adhering to their original Conscientious demo-
cratic principles, and exercising the ndepend-
ence and courage to set al defiance party dis
cipiiae, party lash and even the threats Of the
application oil the party scrs,Os in maintaining
them.
The fashions OF the times and The party now
are, that to be orthodox, men must change
the motions Of the fugleman change they
neither 10 think nor act for themselves they
nrlst advocate that to-day, which they repudi-
ated yesterday. All who viii not tamey sup
port these fashions and submit to be used rs
mere a,somatons are stiematized as federdiists
and iraitc~s. In the foregoing those who
are happily ignorant Of the secret motives
which actuate g party leaders, may be found
some Of the reasons that have led to . the va
rious attacks made Of late on the political con-
duct" Of Mr.. R.yes in relation to the sub-trea-
sury scheme.
Again said the Globe, in the same article,
| The last offence committed by Mr. Rves, pre-
the Unlsed States from State which any living
might be proud TO represent rather than disobe, his
constituents commit act Of gross inconsistency
| by abandoning course he had adopted and pursued
under the strongest motives OF conviction. This was
setting such bad example certain Senators similar
ly situated but determined follow the precedent
that hardly WONDER that it excited their indg
nation aud that OF their friends.
We have authority for saying that Mr.
4 4 ~ L 4 :. o.
situation which he now holds in the Senate
g rather than dsobey his constituents, OR
COMMIT AN ACT OF GROSS IN
CONSISTENCY, BY ABANDONING
A CAUSE HE HAD ADOPTED AND
PURSUED UNDER THE STRONG
EST MOTIVES OF CONVECTION"
We call upon others in the Senate to fol-
low the noble example set them by the Virgi-
MA Senator. THOSE, 100, VINO profess to be
governed by the doctrines of instruction.
We put the question directly to Messrs,
Wall, Allen, and Wright, whether they have
not been the Uniform advocates Of obedience
by the representative to the will of his consti-
tuents Have not the Legislatures Of both
the States Of New Jersey and Ohio indicated
most cmpha,ically to Messrs. Wall and Allen
their wishes, and even will in relation to the
Sub-Treasury schelnel Will they obey or
resign? And has not the poplar branch Of the
Legislature, representing the people of New
York, also spoken their sentiments to Mr.
Wright Will he be governed by them, or
will he set them at defiance? If these Sc.
majors do not regard and respect the wishes
Of their constituents, as expressed, then they
stand before the eyes Of the whole world, adj
vocating one principle in profession, and being
governed by a different one in practice.
But there may be other reasons why Mr..
Rives has been assailed by those with whom
he formerly acted. If, in 1884, when acting
with Mr.. Rives, and supporting the same
measures then which he no,o supports, and in
rupudaiing those then, which they noo sup
port, they we're governed by motives of "con-
viction," then are they now committing an
act of gross inconsistency in adopting the
course they now are pursuing. And il may
be, that they feel the full force Of the example
set them now, for honesty and consistency, by
Mr.. Rives, which is described in the following
extract from the Globe in reference to the
one set by him in 1884.
The precedent is offensive to ersons Of nice
feelings and delicate Of honor. because 1t carries
with il an indirect nsinuation Of superior integrity aud
higher regard for the obligations Of duty Hence it
will ALWAYS he found that most uHDODpIar