The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-17
WHOLE NO. 1877.

Of the party any where have declared such an ir
rupuon INTO this House wholesome inierposition Of
the people! Ard when we had tamely submitted, re.
yersed our decision and restored the rejected members
to their seats, would they have proclaimed il triumph
oil the people! A triumph indeed, il might be, but il
would have been triumph the Constitution; and
however palpaby erroneous, however shocking to rea-
son and common sense, the decision OF the House
was IN the case alluded TO, II may be subject of Just
exnlation to the Opposition and it ought 70 lie sub
]ect OF serious reflection with every honest man in the
whole country that not Of them would, for one mo-
ment, have tolerated the suggestion, that the House
ought TO be awed into submission upon that question by
'he direct inerposition Of the people.
In another passage Of the Message, we are assured
by the President that
"Io this practical operation Of our institutions.
l"hich ne had described evident and successful tce
O~e mar Increased attachment 10 hem which is among
'he most cheering exhibitions Of popular sentiment"
deny, (said Mr.. b. most confidently and empha-
'icaiy, that we are authorized boast OF this 'in-
creased attachment to institutions On the con-
wary, aHrm that Tor years the attachment Of the
people 10 our Institutions and their confidence in their
efficacy and durability, have been weakening and dmin-
ishng just IN proportion the principles and practices
oil the party IN power have been more and more de.
veioped and brought to light ! affirm that instead Of
increased attachment there is manifesty increased dis
trust and thousands OF honest and intelligent citizens
throughout the land look with apprehension and dread
10 me iuurehat future which may come sooner upon
us IMAM you or l now dream Of Again sir affirm
a' 10 The entire period since the organizatnn of the
Government, there has never been general reaxa.
uon OF all the ties and obligations, legal and political
which bind society together as prevails nj tho esan,
moment. AT no former period has SO general spir,
opposition to legal restraints or requirements mani
$50 nSeh throughout the country, when they stand
ST. ~. Wy " Miui passions or purposes Of any kind
ogh regafd LOT the constitution and laws
with the Government itself and i,s ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ehs
gradually diffused Itself over society There was .
period IN British history which presented a strk;na n,r
ael OF the times in this country. Had been prenared
for this debate, might have presented such picture
drawn from that PERIOD would have been recognised
at once az he prototype Of the state of things in this
country at the present moment, II Just century
ago, that violence and RIGHTEOUSNESS took the place of
law and sound public morals in Great Britain and from
causes very like those which exist in this country at
this good time Party spirit was excited to the highest
state OF violence consistent with the existence Of Go.
vernment and the people, generally in the progress of
the conflict were alternately excited by dstrust Of the
intentions of the Ministry and contempt for the au-
thonty OF the Government. One man, Of singular
GOODNESS and forbearance in temper by practising upon
the principle that the OF every society is moved by
the mere love OF ganhat there is honesty in poll
lcs-tha every man has his price, conrved sustain
himself IN power nearly twenty years. in the face of
powerful opposition in both Houses of Parliament, and
In the midst OF the loudest clamor and discomfort
among the people 1t was generally believed that he
had grossly abused the great which had been con-
hded TO hum by his sovereign that he had distributed
and prostitued the immense patronage of the Crown to
the purpose of enrching himself and his personal favor
ties. He interfered directly in the election Of men,
beers Of Parliament both by his personal influence and
by the application Of large sums Of the public moneys
and he filled that body with placemen and dependents
He practsed so openly upon the spols SYSTEM that he
once declared in his place, in the House of Commons
that he would be pitifu fellow Of Minister who
would not remove any man from Office who opposed his
measures In such state of things general distrust
and discomfort banished all respect and confidence
confusion and dsorganzaton usurped the place OF law
and order; and the same causes must produce the
same results here.
The next passage OF the Message which am tempt
ed to notice is in these words:
Nearly ctgh millions of dollars of Treasury notes
are TO be paid during the coming gear, addition 10
the ordinary appropriations for the support of Gorern
mcnf For both these purposes The resources of the
Treasury ,cH undoubtedly be sufficient IF THE cHARe
UPON 1T ARE NOT INCREASED BEYOND THE ANNUAL Es-
INMATES"
Much (sad Mr. b. is said in the succeeding para
graph of the Message, of the frauds committed by the
public officers upon the public revenue and many
remedies suggested correct this great public
evil. Some remedy is also imperatively demanded by
the public interest for the repeated and systematic
frauds and mposons practised upon the public credu
hty by the highest functonares OF the Government in
their communications to this House and to the public
protesting to contain their political creed and to present
candid view Of the condition Of the finances and other
branches of tho public service The people re!uc-
to conclude that the very highest and most honored
public officers and those in whom the nation has ex-
pressed its confidence, would deceive them; and thus
the shameful official hypocrisy and delinquency
rewarded with renewed confidence, instead Of resent
ment and Indignation. was struck with the remark Of
very acute aud able member Of this House the other
day. upon the subject Of the relative prospects of the
administration and the opposition. He said the oppos
ton would probably not succeed whatever apparent ad
vantages they may have in the contest If the oppos
ton, said he claim any merit the advocates Of econo
my in the public expenditures the champions OF
the policy of limiting Executive power and patronage
they will find that the claim will avail them nothing for
upon Of these questions nor upon any other popu
lar doctrine of similar nature will the administration
make issue with them On the contrary, IN the
Messages, and the communications from the Treasury
Department, the members Of the administration will be
found to be much the friends Of economy, Of REFORM
and as much opposed to the increase of Executive pow
er and patronage, as any member OF the opposition.
Sir, this is very the TRUTH at least Those under
whose auspices the annual expenditures of the Govern
ment have been increased, within term Of less than
ten years. from thirteen TO thirty millions Of dollars and
Executive patronage correspondent ratio point
to public documents emanatng from their own hands,
in which they have written with much apparent
earnestness, and said many fine things in favor Of
economy and every other republican principle and prac
tice, any Of their opponents This sir contend, is
species of fraud which calls for remedy. Those who
have practsed should be stripped Of the mask under
which they have heretofore deceived the people.
In the present Message we have earnest exhorta-
ton 10 Congress TO conne the appropriations for the
year 1889 within the estimates Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury In the report Of the Secretary himself there
is similar appeal made in behalf OF economy and
trenchment. The Secretary Of the Treasury in his
last annual report estimates the appropriations which
will be required for the next year s39) at 1921 $685.,
0s9. What amount will actually be required for the
public service, shall at the close Of the session
But whatever degree of candor may characterize the
estimates of the Treasury for the year 1885, cannot ex
atone for the gross deception practised by that
Department in the annual estimates for the present
year, (ls3s) submitted Dec s. 1888 and the still more
glarng and shameful attempt to misead the public, 10y