The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-09

The publicly declared principles Of Thomas Jefferson
In the messages Of Mr. Jefferson 10 Congress be de-
clares that agriculture, manufactures commerce and
navigation are the four great pillars Of prosperity"
and states that protection from casual embansssnents
may sometimes be seasonaby inicrposed" Mr.. Jefcr-
son always happy to commit the affairs Of our go.
10 the collected wisdom OF The nation, aud
pledged himself 10 carry The legislative Judgment into
execution and rendered his cordial concurrence in every
measure for the public good Mr. Jefferson also stated
that he looked Congress for the Of wisdom
which the great interests Of the country committed to
them demanded" and "gave them the opportunity OF
prording HE means which he srscate lie submit
ted to Congress whether the great interests OF sgr.
culture, commerce, navigation and manufactures could
be aided ia their relations and whether any thing could
be done advance the genera good as within the limits
of the functions Of Congress" And he assured the re-
representatives. OF the people that in all matters which
Congress might propose for the good Of country they
might count on his hearty cooperation and faithful exc
cuton" Mr. Jefferson assumed the administration OF
the Executive (not Legislative and Executse) depart
ment and promised cooperation with Congress IN every
measure that might tend the liberty, property
aud pcrsonsl safety Of fellow citizens. "Io their
wisdom Mr. Jefferson looked or'the he iras
10 pursuen and declared that che would pursue with
sincere zeal that which they would approve"
These fellow citizens, the republican practices
of Thomas Jefferson in the administration Of the GO
vernmcnt Of the nation for eight years. In them We
behold faithful exposition Of the great essential prln-
cipes" declared the commencement OF his presiden-
lal term beautiful illustration Of the republican prn-
cipe in his unlimited confidence IN, and attachment 10.
the representative government and Just sense OF the
democratic character OF government in his frank.
and unqualified devotion to the freedom and
happiness Of all 80. -. 8,
any indications oil ianced superiority on his part IN
devotion to the constitutional and to the performance Of
the proper functions Of his Office, the representa-
tiyes of the people, charges implying doubts of tho
capacity integrity Of the people in The management OF
their private affairs public interests, or any alleged
superiority competency and fidelity OF the officers OF
the federal government over their fellow citizens TO
keep and dishnrse the public revenue any urging OF
specific measures not emauatpg from the people or
their representatives ny the whole weight Of executive
influence, any forcing Of blessings upon the people,
against their WILL and convictions OF pnhlic benefit
During the period Of the administration Of Mr. JEFF
ferson we had banks and had paper currency, and
the received and the banks kept tho public
money IN the same currency that the people had al
ways uscd and yet do not find in the messages Of
Mr. Jefferson any suggestion that had the extension OF
the banking system been foreseen. it would probably
have been guarded against by the framcrs of the Con-
stuon that the policy which led to the pro-
hhton OF bills Of credit by the States t1oad hare also
interdicied their issue AS CURRENCY IN ANY OTHER
FORM that il would be evidence of intelligence
and virtue" the part Of the people to abandon them,
or that the federal government would promote the
accomplishment OF that important otJeet -
We do find in the messages OF Mr.. Jefferson, any
/
| and using the money with the people, or OF the
peoples using their money, until it wanted by tho
government for their purposes, any proposition
10 the constitutional currency of gold and
silver" any mention made Of separation of Bank
and State the necessity of the dlscrediting bank
paper, or any wish manifested to urge the people
| "unricd expcdicnts -
Mr.. Jefferson needs euiogy at our hands, the
bold and eloquent supporter of human liberty, aud the
rights of man The author Of the Declaration Of indie
pendence has not yet been far into the shade,
by the discoveries OF his in the great science
of political freedom, 10 require TO brush any
mists before the Respondent glory Of his political life
and public sentiments.
| Mr.. Jefferson viewed the government Of the United
States belonging the people, and the people
belonging to the government. He viewed the Office of
President an ExEcuTIyE oFFiog, to carry the iegis
latirs Judgment into execution, that Congress were to
Propose matters for Tie good Of country and that
| he to faithfully execute them.
Under this Jcffersonian form Of administering the
government, the great measures Of the peoples nte
rests the peoples wants and the peoples wishes
placed in the hands Of their immediate representatives.
IN Congress chosen by them for that purpose, being
among them, feeling and enjoying their prosperity,
suffering their adversely, subject their instructions,
and accountable to them for their public acts To this
body, thus happily formed accomplish the great ends
OF good government the constitution has secured TO
citizens the sacred right OF petition and of applca
| ton for redress and relief
During the administration of Mr. Jefferson there
caamtes suffered by the country, bearing heavily
upon the industry, the interests and happiness Of largo
! classes OF citizens, Applications made to the
Executive and Congress Of the nation for relief the
difficulties and embarrassmens under which cit
abored, and the measures OF the general govern
ment, capable of bearing upon them and promoting tie
public welfare, freely and publicly discussed bv
our citizens, without consideration OF how far the
will Of the people might or might not accord with the
will OF their executive servants the people spoke their
sentiments without waiting for messages Of the Prcs
dent" and if the people happened to differ with their
executive officer, there official journal to de-
nounce them as corrupt, and no longer democratic re-
publicans.
Hence, we do not find in the administration Of Mr.
Jefferson any indications that the complaints of the
people offensive TO the Executive that the peo
pie too FESTIVE under their burthens any execu
tive admonition, that communities apt 10 look 10
government too MUCH any special reprimand to the
people Of own country declaring them especially
" prone 10 do so"
Mr. Jefferson cntertaine great doubts whether
organization complicated and too expensive;
whether officers and Offices had not been multiplied
necessarily and inurousy, and he began The reduction
that 1t might be here that after leaving to
labor the smallest portion OF lis earnings which it
subsist government itself shall the resi-
due oi what It was Instituted to guard" And we hear
Of applications from Mr. Jefferson TO create multi
tudc Of new offices, and quarter upon large bodies
Of office holders take from the mouth Of labor the
bread it has earned"
During the administration of Mr. jefferson the State
sovercgnties created banks and passed such acts Of
special Legislation appeared to them hest calculated
to promote the public welfare, and do rot find any
assaults any open efforts 10 DESTROY
sumo the control through the liberal supervisory pow
ers Of the Secretary Of the Treasury" and Bankrupt
aws) Of the State Institutions Mr. Jeffcsons views of
"eqna rights, equal laws, and equal justice"
far affected by these Of the people through their
representatives, induce him to makc mention in
his message OF the existence tendency of this state OF
things and the discovery Of these alleged violations