The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-02

tive authority. The former has grown out Of a
deep and settled disirust OF the people and OF the
STATES II consequently regards as gain every thing
that can be drawn into the vortex OF federal power
and making that power still more safe In proper
ton as Il Is Withdrawn fromth popular departments
oil the federal Government 10 those that are further
removed from the control OF public sentiment. The
Antagonist principle has lis origin ia q jealoasy Of
poDer justified By all AamaH experience. Ii Is found
ed on the assumption, that the disposition Of
abuse delegated authority IL inherent and incorrg-
ble therefore seeks its only security In the imila-
iion and distribution of those trusts which the very
existence Of Government requires 10 be reposed
somew here"
These are the true principles upon which parties,
in all free governments, must be organized and con-
Quoted When parties depart from those great, high
and patriotic considerations in which the interest,"
The prosperity, the happiness and the liberties of the
people are involved, and resolve every thing into the
question-Who shall be President They war upon
the vital principles OF free government and destroy
every bulwark of liberty. Ia the extract which
have made, Mr.. Van Buren,, with truth which all
human experience atests, declares, "rHAr the DIS
POSITION OF MAN To ABUSE DELEGATED AUTHORITY IS
INHERENT AND IscoRRIGiBLE" and il is because this
disposition Is inherent and taeorrgi6 that il Is the
duty Of not only the representatives Of the people,
but Of the people not TO sleep upon their posts but 10
be constantly and vigantly on the watch. When
first arrived to the age OF maturity, and began to
play my part upon the great theatre Of politics. the
nation was divided into two great parties, distn-
guished from The peculiarly and hostility OF their
doctrines as Federal" and (" Republican, and the
Just inquiry Of every aspirant for public favor was
what are your principles what will be your Do
licy and, according as they were Federal" or
Republican in doctrine, he was sustained by the
respective parties. But now, sir the first inquiry Is,
particular party-iavorite, whatever may be your
principles, you are orthodox! II you are for Mr..
Van Buren,, although you may maintain federal
doctrines ofthe deepest Hartford die, you are
good republican, il you not then you are odious
-detestable federalists and with another party the
onytrue standard of faith isare you for MIR. Clay,
Mr.. Harrison il not, you are corrupt democrat
You are no wing. And, SIR, in this struggle for
men, such is the ntauaton of party that the test Of
orthodoxy is, Who are you Tor, for Presidentl
Sir, whenever give vote here, consonant with
the avowed and long standing principles Of true
republicanism the answer to my name scarce breaks
from my lips before my ears are saluted with the
demand Vac areyoa for, for President? If vote
against National BaRk, the demand Immediately
is-WAO yoE for for President? III vote against
protectipe tariff the question is WAC are you for,
for President? II vote against appropriations for
internal improvements the question is-Hao are you
for for President? And thus, sir all tests Of ortho-
doxy every standard of repubcanism is Who are
you for for President q? and In this, every question
affecting the prosperity and happiness Of the nation,
and the rights and liberties of the people is merged
in this great absorbing question who is to be Pre-
sident2 II seems 10 be the common reservoir into
which all other questions are gathered, and which
promises To be the grave Of our institutions.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, Iregard all these efforts to
foresa public opinion, and bind il down to the sup
port of particular man, two years in advance OF
the election, incompatible with that range of
lection, and that freedom Of opinion which should
ever characterize citizens of free government in
making choice OF so important public officer as a
President. None of us can tell what is in the womb
of the futnre-none of us can fo-esee what will be
the prevailing questions at SO remote period and
we should all remain as free as air, TO act as circum
stances and due regard to free institutions and
the prosperity Of the country on so important an oc-
cason, should require. Icame not here to legisate
men into, or out OF the Presidential chair-I came
for higher and nobler purposes-I came here as the
representative of free people TO aid in consolidat
ing their liberties, and promoting their happiness
and prosperity. came here not to do the will OF
the Executive but consider and resist adopt its
recommendations, as may judge most compatible
with the public interest, and check its career Of
power, if necessary; and when have done this, |
have performed all my representative duties. No
man here has the right TO demand of me a pledge
that will support the pretensions OF any man to the
Presidency at the next election; and no man would
be worthy Of the high and dignifed station Of re-
preventative of the people, who would either 10 Sc
cure seat here, or even the Presidency itself, make
such humiliating and degrading pledge. 1t is in
compatible with the high duty and independent ac-
ton of representative Of the people and is at
with the first principles of representative govern
nent. a-s
My right Of suffrage is my individual right and
which must exercise as q citizen, and does not
enter into my representative duties. Now, sir why
should any man or set of men require me to pledge
the exercise OF that dear, sacred, and invaluable
right Of freeman Sir, will not; and would not
do il il ii were TO grasp the Presidency itself J. sir
acknowledge the right of instruction in its fullest
extent, and II should be member of the next Con-
gress and unfortunately for the nation, the election
should devolve on the House of Representatives, l
should feel it my duty faithfully to reflect the will
OF the majority Of my constituents IN casting my
vote, even if that vote should fall one who was
not my preference. This is all that free man
should yield, and that free people should require.
If ama republican, and maintain republican prin-
ciples- is sure guarantee that will cast my sui
TRACE for republican men-and that should satisfy all
reasonable men.
Mr.. Chairman, when, contrary TO my wishes, at
the earnest solicitation Of the friends of the late Ad
ministration, lett my family my friends, and pro-
fessional pursuits in which was happy and con-
tented became candidate for seat on this floor,
! entered on the canvass decided advocate Of the
Of the Sub-treasury scheme. During the first ses-
sion OF my service defended the State Bank depo-
site system, in speech delivered this floor, in
reply to the honorable gentleman from Tennessee,
Mr. Bell) who charged it as one OF the errors OF
Gen. Jacksons administration. The doctrines of
that speech were then regarded orthodox, and the
defence satisfactory But now sir, the whole scheme
is changed. The Administration has changed its
own position, and l. and those few of us who could
not do violence TO our consciences, and support a
measure which in our hearts we believed pernicious
and dangerous we are denounced renegodes, trail
tors and apoaaes tony corrupt and 6asey hgpocrti-
iat and some of the very men who seduced me
into the public service are now seeking my destruc
ton for faithfully and firmly adhering to the very
doctrines upon which was elected. Such is The
caprciousness OF public sentiment, and such the in
stability of all human affairs
Mr.. Chairman, the denunciation, abuse, and ridi-
Guile of which have been the subject have not de-
TERED or changed me. Believing as | do that this
system, if adopted will, in It's ultimate effects, al
though charge no such design upon the President
his friends, for error sir is not always dishonest
place into the hands Of the Executive a power and
patronage dangerous to the purity and independence
Of the representative body-wiherng to the COM
mercal and agricultural prosperity of the country
hostile to the power and of the States and
destructive TO the liberties of the people, cannot
will not sustain it, But undisrmayed and unerri-