The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-04


lions. just and Intelligent people will sustain Mr.
Rives Ia bis present position in spite Of your paYrof
cry Of "ecaiionT eoaiffioaP which your own imsgi-
| nation has created.
But. sr, there is another question which wish you
10 candor and good faith to answer-and that IT, whe-
her you regard il wise and patriotic to surrender those
principles which you regard satuiary and republican,
because they are supported by your political adverse
nee! For instance, sir, suppose Mr. Van Buren, were
10 direct terms TO recommend tho establishment OF
Erehqler Bunk TO be based upon the public revenues
aud conducted by Executive authority Mr.
Rises member Of the Senate, and 10 oppose this
sure alsosuppose for this opposition the great body
OF the Democrats 10 desert him. and the Wings 10
sustain him-what would you do. sirl Abandon your
principles, enlist under the banner Of the EKchequcr
Bank, and saen6ce Mr.. Rives, because, orsooth, the
Wings, concurrng with him nhis opposition to such
dangerous measure, forego oil other questions Of d
ference, and sustain hIm desire TO know, sir whe-
ther ingenuity and cunning invent plausible pre-
text for such a course. II they can. tell
sbou, prncipes-lhey only useful instruments to
promote the views Of ambitious aspranis, instead Of
guiding public officers. and the effect will be fatal TO
every feature OF repuhl can government.
But, sir, since have been engaged in addressing
these letters, You have stated that your opposition TO
the administration. is confined to the Snb-treasnry
alone IL this so, sir IL advise YOU reconsider this
assertion. Are you in favor Of he bankrup. policy -
Are You in favor Of the stock lobbng policy Are you
in favor Of the Treasury note policy And you in
favor Of the graduation policy II you are. sir chal
lenge you make open avowa VI it-and republic
cans will know how TO understand you lfyou are not,
have always understood you TO be, you are op.
posed TO fSe measures, instead Of pretty good
number, 100, to Justify sinking or " swimming with
their authors and sacrificing their enemies But sir.
il is the modern mode Of signazing depoon to prr-
sipist
Bat sir, by round assertion, and bold declaration,
you have induced many whose confidence in you is
beyond the reach Of fact Of argument TO believe that
in the reelection OF Martin Van Buren,. great
Southern principle was to be achieved and that for
this achievement you justify yourself in sacrificing all
who will not shout hossunas 70 the idol OF your
ship What peculiar Southern princ,ple--whst peeu-
liar Southern interest, to be achieved by the Ieelec
ton Of Mr., Van Buren,! Is IL opposition to National
Bank That. sir, is general question: by no means
peculiar TO the Sonth But for this get the Sub
Treasury, and possibly an "Exchequer Bank and
| the prolific brood which have enumerated--which
would be dangerous engine Of power and corrup-
ton National Bank possibly could be- Is il in the
Protective Tariff Mr. Van Buren, fayors the consti-
tutional power and once voted for the system in its
most obnoxious form Is il upon the subject Of Inter-
nal Improvements! Mr.. Van Buren, denies the con-
sii,uoaal power Of Congress over this subject it
affects roads ard canals but he comedies the whole
constitutional principle as to navigablc rivers, bays
harbors &c &c, taking port Of entry the constu-
onal barrier only. Is he opposed the distribution Of
the proceeds Of the public lands yet he ayors the gra-
UNJUST 10 II upon the question Of abolitiona subject
upon which yoa are, suppose, peculiarly sensit,pe-
that the South is to gain SO muchi Mr. Van Buren,
thinks Congress has the power TO abolish slavery in the
District Of Columbia and the territories This is the
extent Of Mr. Clay's abolition. Mr. Van Buren, would
veto bill for that purpose. Mr., Clay says he would
What, then, does the South gainf But, sir have you
examined, with due delberaon, the force Of this
cesson TO the North Shall we consent to pay them
the tribute Of President for that safety which the Con-
II tttnti
shal we not be required TO make it again! And when
will the demand cease No, sir, offer them no tr
butc-I will make them no concession. ] stand upon
the broad basis OF the Constitution-and If that fails
upon the strong the stout heart and heroic chiya
~ Of the Southern people would dsdain TO purchase
the forbcarance OF the Northern people single hour
at such Illuminating price, and under such humiating
and degrading conditions What then, sir before
asked the peculiar interests and peculiar principles
TO be achieved for the South under Mr. Van Bnren's
auspices that the most able, vrtuous and talented
who really the champions Of Southern principles
aud Southern interests aud, wiihal, Southern
are TO be sacrificed for his SUGGEST cannot perceive
that the election Of Mr. Van Buren,, or his anticipated
competitor, is TO achieve much for peculiar Southern
principles, or Southern interests. Not so much, at
least that many distinguished and patriotic men
truly Repubcanare to be sacrificed for their benefit
But, you say that you have not changed your posi-
tion,hat while you opposed the Sub Treasury scheme,
you uniformly ayowed your determination 10 adhere to
being true, much the for your position. The
very idea that with objections strong and mpreg
nable as those which you urged against that scheme,
you should commence your opposition, with fixed de-
termination TO adhere TO It's projectors and supporters
reckless Of every hue and aspect which it might its
progress assume, however " dangerous and alarm
ing" at with every principle Of Rcpubicanism
revolving to every feeling Of PATRIOTISM and epulsve
to every notion Of Independence. You commenced
with determined serviy, which your own dignity and
your own important posoi guardian Of the pub
lie liberty, forbade Yes sir you have maintained
your position, but it is position which is abhorrent
every consideration which love Of country and devo
ton to principle should inspre-you have maintained
your position tn men, regardless ofs influence upon
your professed principles But this is not all that you
have done, sir. You have done what you did not as
in the outset thar you would do You have sought
to sacrifice some, and have sacrificed other men, who,
agreeing with you in opnion--chcered by your exam
pie and animated by your counsels-unnrled the flag OF
opposition, and kept it waving over their heads as long
as the enemy was in the field, and who still 1t,
as the enemy is again ralying. This, sir is not IN
keeping with your original position and cannot be JUS
tilted under any circumstances. These you have
betrayed, however much the pandcrs and parasites
Of power-he sycophans and itierers Of the admins
tration, and the hungry expecants Of official bounty,
who love their bread more than their country, may
ha,er and csjoo, however loudly they may cry, well
done-however much they may pour the oil of JOY into
your heart. The time will when calm dis
passionate, an impartial, vrtuous and intelligent
people will pronounce this act of yours Of inexcnsa
bile moral treachery. The swelling notes Of keen re-
proach and deep indignation will yet peel in your
the unwecome truth Of your utter and unqualified
domination.
"Wide shall it spread and last through ages long
Example sad, and theme Of future song"
Disguise it as you may--sophsticate as you will,
sir--you treadng the broad road Of Monarchy -
Your support Of men, regardless Of principle, strikes at
the very root Of Republican government, and will in
eyitably result Despotisn unless you checked by
some counterac,ing influence IT'S Cesar for whom
you fight, and no, for Rome You have the wind,
but fear my country and her institutions destined
to reap the storm
! +" How my heart trembles, while my tongue relates