The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-11


lions az the ballot boxes, where the demo-
cracy Of numbers" most efleclually exhibits
its power, cannot be gainsayed, and as we
love the institutions OF our State, must not be
disregardcd. They come, as II were, tho
voice of truth TO expose err0r-to admonlsh
us of the tendency of many recent interpola-
tons on the principles by which,as party, We
profess to be governed. demanding the resto-
ration of those aacient landmarks which one
after another have been removed, 10 give place
10 dogmas and usages incompatible with the
enjoyment Of rational liberty and the welfare
of the public. The evils alluded TO have been
so often and so ably portrayed, that an elabo-
rate discussion or minute recital OF them, at
this time, is as unnecessary as II would be
painful Muliitudes have heard, and seen and
fell enough, 10 be able to form a correct judg-
ment of them, on their own experience and
observation for series OF wears. Can the
elder members Of our party when they call TO
mind their own active agency in founding the
institutions Of our State and country--as they
rejoice in the fruiion Of all the hopes they
ever entertained OF them--can they choose
but be amazed at the vandal force arrayed for
their destruction Will they refrain from
necessarily calling on tho young us well MS
the old to stand forth in defence Of thenl
We entreat all TO study well the present ele-
waited condition of our beloved country, and
contrast il with what il was when the armies
Of the Revolution sent home pennyless the
war-worn soldier Of liberty thcn ask and seek
the solution, how came this mighty change
You are told, in language Of deadly hostility,
that the influence of Corporations las perva-
ded every interest in community, which, in
view of the well known fact that in all coun-
tries where the cruel hand Of despotism
blights the prosperity Of the people, corpora
lions are unknown, we rejoice to concede the
fact so far as pecnniary interests are concerned.
How then should this mighty change have
come, except by the aid Of those reviled insri-
tutions, which liberty endangered and the
love OF liberty has hitherto fostered and main
tanned.
Our country has been, and under the favor
of God, we trust it will continue to be the
it will continue to be, the asylum Of the OPP
pressed. In climate severe-of rugged soil,
it was, when emancipated from England al
most without cities and towns, without COM
merce, without manufactures. Now, how
ameliorated and advanced its condition! Lib
erty thrilled in the hearts and characterized
every act of the people. In enterprise rich,
while poor In possessions, mutual confidence
was found necessary TO their prosperity, and
that necessity, the surest instructor man ever
had, taught them the way to establish system
of credit, susceptible of existence under any
government, in proportion. only to the liberty
enjoyed by the people. BY the aid of this
system, the sons Of the poorest, in mutitudes,
have risen TO wealth, influence and office, and
poor America, in the short space Of halfa Gen.
fury, has extended and established thrifty
commerce in every quarter Of the world.
From the head-lands of our coast, for more
than three thousand miles, are daily seen the
curling smoke of steamers, and from every
hill that overlooks our broad rivers for more
than five times that distance. Nor less has
agriculture felt lis influence. Countless acres
of forests have suddenly been transformed to
fruitful fields, yielding sustenance for the sup
port of millions of men, and cities and villages
of manufacturers and mechanics Lowell
here, Paterson there, Pittsburgh and hum
drcds of other places greet the eye-the lrnits
Of that system, the pride of our country and
the wonder of the world. Until the Demo-
cracy shall cease to pursue the greatest good
of the greatest number" that system can ne
yer cease to be defended. II is the defence
Of that system, assaulted by Destructiyes,
which now especially invokes your aid.
New theories of political economy, and
principles of government, connected with
deadly hostility to many existing and most va
liable institutions, are put forth with a majes-
tical air and urged with ferocity that defes
all description by a new sect or party in poll
tics, who, from the ruinous tendency Of their
avowed principles have acquired the appro-
pirate appellation Of Destructives, and from
the SANDER, prescription and oppression to
which they resort TO accomplish their aristo-
cratic and destructive ends are known, and
not less aptly designated by the name of Loco
Foco. We feel no pleasure in using these
their acquired names.
It's their doctrines and measures that we
desire to oppose and render innoxious to the
community. The cause is one in which all
men have deep interest, and which Demo-
Gratis, by the distinctive principles they pro-
fess, are bound to defend. 1t is the cause Of
Liberty and Equality-that liberty which the
Constitution guarantees, and that equality
which the God of Nature has bestowed on all
his moral agents. In conclusion, we .entreat
you, one and all, to assemble in Convention
for consultation and the reorganization Of the
Democratic party.
1t is therefore respectfully proposed that
Democratic State Convention be holden at
Hartford, on the ID Thursday OF February,
1888, at 0 o'clock, A. M. for consultation and
the adoption of such measures as may be
deemed necessary alike to resist both Desiruc-
tives and Wings, and to nominate candidates
for State officers for the coming year
We would also recommend that the Dele
gates from the several Senatorial Districts,