The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-08
COMMUNICATION.
The position of a Virginia Conservative.

The position ~ a Virginia Conservative.
II is fashion of the day, former occupying, in It's
various grades The post of representative Of the
people, 10 define their positions The fashion owes
lis origin no doubt 10 The many, sudden, and extern
slye mutations Of party that have taken place Of
laie However some may condemn IL as savoring Of
egotism, none surely, will deny 10 IL tribute of
praise for openness and honesty or call it AntRe-
publican.
am not sure il will be deemed improper in me to
follow The fashion, though mine is private station.
Nor VIII be so affected 10 omit specific mention
OF the chief considerations conducting me TO the
conclusion that il will be amiss In me TO define
my position. Though am and have ever been a
private citizen the time has been and not long SINCE
when The public felt some interest not for their sake
but for The sake of their cause in my opinions about
public men and measures, ard hen the Tree, full
and frequent expression of hem exerted some in
auence on the popular sentnent, and the then pen
ding exercises Of suffrage and instruction.; but
whether Tor good or IL let others Judge. And the
other chief consideration which induces me 10 define
my position, this, that in consequence OF thinking
for myself and estimating all measures by their con.
formi,y, want of IT, 10 certain fixed principles hav-
ing reference To no man or party of men, disdaining
To follow implicitly the lead of any one have been
enormously supposed by of that portion of the
public who recently manifested he liveest friend
y interest in my opinions, 10 be esranged at this
time, from Republican men and measures.
Though this is a copous and complicated subject,
shall be very brief in my exposition. In fact, am
that the public generally and correctly give
me credit or bestow me disprase, according 10
their peculiar opinions for changeleSs devotion to
Democratic doctrines, that shall confne the dehni-
ton OF my position TO single topic and this IS the
Sub Treasury Scheme, on which the President OF
the United States still insists II advocacy OF this
scheme Is the test of ones Democracy, am no DEM
ocrat Iowardsi it, in every form, am inspired with
well considered and deafness hostility But, new
erheless, shall support the present incumbent Of
the presidential Office, for reelection 10 the same in
preference 10 any man who is friendly to United
States Bank or who is not known TO be hostile any
n ITr.ta cd SIafap panly and tnsr Shuna
with respect candidates for Congress Al the next
Spring elections of members 10 Congress from Vir-
ginia, | shall give my votes TO the candidates who
may be friendly to the State Bank Deposite System,
in preference to any other candidates by whatever
other Sectarian nomenclature known. And Just
/ shall give my in the next election of Presi-
dent Of the United States, in the event Of there be-
ing any other candidate than such as may be frienly
TO a United States Bank or TO a Sub Ireasury
Scheme
II the reader iscurious to know further, why | am
thus particular TO define my position ask him, If
he be not wrapt up in selove, to recoliect and TO
reflect on it, that man may be animated Otherwise
than by selntereSt; and if the curious reader be
subject to the illusions Of interest and selflove, and
dead to the nobler impulses Of patriotism, beg him
be assured that do not care what his opinion about
me my course may be.
For the sake of being yet little more explicit, 1t
may be well TO enlarge little on this topic II is
considered by me great misfortune that no citizen
Of free country and such has been the case in all
ages but less so in modern times can take an active
part in politics, without subjecting himself to the
charge, at least to the suspicion of aiming at pro-
motion to office. 1t is certainly strong proof of
patriotism that the citizen shall keep himself ready
and willing when called by his country, TO render
service in any station to which he may be deemed
entitled by his fitness for it. 1t is equally certain
that the patriotic citizen thus willing 10 receive The
unNoughl honor and cares Of office, may think he
can best give success his designs 10 advance the
public good by other means than the influence that
Office would give to his efors-and thai his opinions
expressed on suitable occasions and at any crisis OF
the public affairs, will be more apt 10 have effect,
and be esteemed certainly honest, when he is out OF
office and not seeking ii. And it is in such ease
this that the charge which 1t is the habit Of The
public mind TO make, becomes a misfortune. me
inue nee TO which his expressed opinions are intrin-
scally entitled and which, but Tor the charge that
he is seeking Office, they would exert, is weakened
by il This effect is not peculiar to the patriotic
citizen who being out of Office and not seeking it,
YET aims to give the public opinion the right direc-
ton 1t often attends the expressed opinions oil men
in high Offices, who are accused OF ruling desire
10 retain their place or reach still higher. This is
at this time exempliied in the position OF VIM. q.
Rives. Notwithstanding he holds and acts on the
Git is heeved) general opinion OF opposition 10 the
Sub Treasury scheme 10 which opposition ms own
arguments have given strength, there are those, anu
ton Of his opposition 10 the scheme, as mere new
evidence Of ruling desire on his part TO retain ms
seat in the Senate Being friend OF the patriot,
will ask all his accuserS to hear what he mas iatey
on precisely the same ground" he occupied during
General Jacksons Administration, when the ranks
of the Democratic party were eager 70 spread ms
fame-to hear and know that Mr.. RWes Is sun inc
advocate of the State bank deposite system, which,
in 1888 As and u, IL required all The energy OF
the old hero and the Democratic party 10 establish
and maintain as the most fit conductor OF The hscai
operations OF the Federal Treasury-to hear him
when he says:
"When 1 see the liberties and morals Of my
country iRradsd by so fearful monster as the SUD-
Treasury, attack the enemy, and do all can TO
drive him from our border, When, on me other
hand, / see National Bank approach, will, with
equal prompriiude, march 10 meet II, and give II
battle on the threshold
And again when, as to his party relations, he
says: ,-,,, ,,ro h.on ner-
formed elsewhere As n true friend, as one Oh nose
who aided in his election, and SincereY dssileu ne
success and honor of his administration, hohes.y
gave him my views Of the policy ne mas empia n
7 warned him against what thought clearly lore
"a ~ niS be its consequences. offered MIN the ces'
connSels Of which iable Judgment was caPau,c'
bat which had the merit al least, oil oeep anu SIN
cere conviction. They were oVeffuea' naNns
DISCHARGED my duty 10 him. come here 10 dischaTge
ms duty the country as patilo' anu Iep.eSs rna
tive and with the blessing o. Goo, shai, oe leal
,lcSSly and conscicntionsly dischaiseu, come Wha'
may know full well the Recommendations that are IN
Store for me and which have long been waiting win
,nnatirpce for the signal, given this day Tor their
yeni by tie senator from New York. Let them
come They have no ierrors Tor me.
How illuslrious his glory, and brilliant his aa-
yantagcs! ,
And now I must return fror Mr.. RvcS s'ofy,
wi ich have thus taken The liberty 10 weave ih'o
my own. -, o-.,o;np
1fany reader doubts the sincerity o. ,ne aasre Il
sentiments a they respect myself, and an ,ho;
takes clear proof 20 satisfy men thal on ,ba, ,ras
fellows Is disinieresied, ask him 70 Ie is2t re-
written aud published by This Wi er ~ and puS
speeding himself on tbs ee 81 he humble part
ished when rs Wa ~, IN The then rising contest,
Shc1 proved zoe he and %osl PSo,r s
ca parry ,,,Sif, IL print 10 the newspaper IN
stands 70 W 49,, rt,bljShed and Is now given this