The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-01

A gentleman travelling South has written a
letter to the editor of the Boston Traveller.
a neutral paper, in which the following de-
scription is given Of the manner in which the
democrats are received at the White House.
/" Pity Ills, It's true"
WASHINGTON d. c., April D, 1889.
On Friday evening, having letter of intraduc-
tion, called on The President l found him in The
reception room, reclining upon sofa. can say
little of him, except that he looks like his picture
From the representations had heard OF him, ex-
pec,ed have found him vir aabilis ct erudtis, e,
benevoluS, but was disappointed. The humblest
rustic in the woods OF Columbia, dwelling in a low
rooted cottage, where had occasion To H. treated
me with greater uiblnily. He may have that Ches-
tered in polileneSs occasions OF public notoreiy,
which consists in display Of ostentatious smiles;
but the true democrat, who regards all men as his
fellows and equals in the great scale of being, has
something more. d. not consider him 10 POSSESS
the elements OF true greaness-tha Is, he il not
great as Washington was great, or Jefferson, nr
franklin, or John Quincy Adams. All these men
have cut their niche in the temple of time and Of
fame bu this man does not appear 10 inc to po>Sessa
spirit which can comprehend the universe. have
been with the humble laborer, and with the tilted de-
scendant OF illustriouS P,inces-l have conversed
with the iilIlerae slave and with the man OF seven
anguages-and never before met with an indivi-
dual whose mind could not in five minutes, when
could find source Of mutual qualification. But
though | endeavored TO introduce topics which !
thought from their poll ica necessity, could not fail
to be interesting, and would have suggested measures
Of public advantage, to which feel an intuitlve as
surance that either OF the great statesmen have
named, would have listened even ii they had after
ward diSapproved, could elicit nothing from him
would have told him a natural and easy method 10
settle that long controverted question of the eastern
boundary, with strict regard to the h0nor Of both
nations but without reference to that glory which is
based solely on arms, Of which both nations have
enough and TO spare would have talked to him OF
more important things than this, but he was moi dis
posed to listen, and came silently away. Had Mr.
Van Buren, or his mos, AFFECT slave, came four hun
bred miles To pay me he tribute of his regard,
would have treated him with Difference, and listened
10 him with respect. have no disposition TO cen
sure the Prsslen-he doubtless possesses great me-
Ri, or he would not be placed by majority OF the
people at the head Of The nation; but il appears 10
m that the man who, by tortuiiouS concurrence OF
circumstances is SO far upliiled as TO acquire me
tinge Of ari tucracy, without the urbinltR which
should characterize it. may be President of the U.
States or whatever else The people please 10
make him, but lie cannot be democrat. 10 go.
vernment like ours, no man IS above the people, no
man is below them. When Washington was CEN
sured for taking off his hat TO humble individual,
he replied that he would not suffer himself TO be out
done in polleness by black man. Lord Pdulet,
with all his loyalty and hearty attachment to kingly
government Is twice the practical democrat which
MIR Van Buren, Is We are too apt to be deceived
by names Ii men will only style themselves demo-
Gratis they may lord il over the people with the high
est hand of tyranny. The truth is, our governm nj
is becoming 100 arslocratic and servile There was
time when the head OF The nation was the President
of The Peuple-now II seems to be regarded as
the People oil the President. The inquiry i not, are
YOU friend of the people and OF the institution
but are you a Jackson man, or Van Buren, man
Ability is slight consideration, but disposition 10
support all measures is the qualification for Office
We're the archangel Gabriel 10 come without bis
wings he would not BE- regarded. go for the peo
pie, and shall be heartily glad when we shall once
more lave President OF the United States, and not
the head OF a party