The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-30

, friends. they may find, thaiIt viii demand some
better argument than The unmeaning cry OF Loco
Focol 70 put down the individual, whom IL has
pleased iiem, thus graiuonSly and In his absence
10 attack Let them permit me- meanwhile, 10 re-
commend 10 them policy, with less of time-serying
personality and more OF upright principle In lis in
gredients II MaRTN Vas BuREs's political prinei-
Piles are false In themselves and destructive Ia their
consequence enlightened Legislators can prove thai
they are so: and honest Legislators will scorn BY
raking up the mis-read history OF forgotten party
faction, subOrn prejudice where they ought 10 en-
list reason There Is no digniiy--there Is lille
principle and less good taste, In such q course
These gentlemen claimt derive their political SEN
timens from JEFFERSON and MADISON; as pure
source as the names OF erring MORALS can furnish
They ought better 10 have studied the principles,
and caught the spirit that actuated these great and
good men, than weakly TO pander I, unworthy pre-
judice or TO seek TO whitewash their principles
and cause by blackening the regulations, and mis-
stating the political creeds, of their neighbors.
That, some eight OF ten years ago, was some
what ultra in my notions OF moral and political re-
form, am free to admit. man who thinks for
himself and Is good for anything is, in early youth
almost necessarily an ultrareioI mist 10 that fresh
and saDguine season, the warm conviction of what
ought TO be- often precludes the calm observation Of
what is As one advances in years, one Is gradually
led 10 the unwecome conclusion, that is Tar easier
10 detect than TO correct errors and 10 distinguish
deficiencies than TO supply them. One becomes, too
less confident in ones own wisdom, and more de-
recommend mporantinnovations, as perceiying the
many chances that these may not fit tremendously
into the moral or political code 10 which they are
amendatory. am not sure than we are much better
or happier for this worldly wisdom; YET ii cures u.s.
al least, of dogmaic selfsuicicncy, and We lose our
relish for propagandism.
But if there are, among the political sentiments
which may have expressed In 1922 some which
experience has since led me alter modify. there
are none Of which am ashamed none which fear
TO have brought up In judgment against me, at fitting
time and on suitable occasion. That am unwilling
TO be made for party purposes TO bear other sins be-
sides my own, is natural enough; and furnishes my
sufficient apology for this communication.
In conclusion, allow me to express hope, though
II be but faint one, that other journals who have
copied the proceedings in question, will afford me
column in reply. From those who are resolved TO
support their party honestly if they can but any
rate TO support IL" expect no such justice but to
others would observe, that il my remarks seem
egoiiscal of small interes, the public il was
uncalled-for personality which drew them forth ,
that the occasion was not of my seeking; and that
when an unprovoked attack is made on any citizen
OF republican country, il is privilege we all feel
due 10 him, to be heard in reply
ROBERT DALE OWEN.