The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-23
From ihe Richmond Wing.
A RITCHIEn CONSERVATIVE.


The Conservative band, not very imposing for num-
bers at first has recently undergone subdivision, and
now presents two distinct classes, very oppositey
marked. One class, headed by tho Editor of the En-
| qurer, and honored by the title Of the Richie Con-
servatives," although duly impressed with the horrors
OF the Sub-treasuy, and retracting nothing Of their
oft-repeatcd declarations and most honest convictions
| that il would certainly "run" and "demoraize" the
country determining nevertheless, to sink swim
with Martin Van Buren, its patron, have been consent
ingy :onscentousy and regularly absorbed By the loco
focos and hercest among the fierce in sustain
ing and perpetnating administration whose leading
and sole measure upon which that administration relies
Tor reelection, they maintain to be fraugh with ruin
and destruction" This class has been duly pressed
with the mark Of the Kitchen ("t two crops and swal-
low fork and Is only to be distinguished from the
genuine Loco-foco by extra zeal for Mr. Van Buren,
las if resolved to atone to him for having presumed
to question his infallibhty for little while Or as
resolved to be more faithful the ruinous" and
destructive" they deemed his great measure Of the
Sub-treasury.
The other class, headed by the Anlersons, Goods
and Fontaincs, the Venables, Crutchfeds, Peytons,
Shanks, Sherrards, Dayiss, Stands, Paynes O'Fer-
rails, Parks-seem composed Of men Of another stamp.
CONCERNING the Subtressury, like their late brethren
OF the Richie Conservative squad, as lraugh, with
ruin and destruction" they to doubt at least,
whether principle will allow them to "snk SWIM
with Administration resolved all hazards to force
It upon the country. They actually in these times
contend that THERE is snch thing as principo-tha
men ought to follow its lead, Indifferent though it
brought them in collision with the President himself
and subjected them 10 temporary misconstructon with
the people-and in their Old fashioned honesty, they
conceive themselves not at liberty to sink SWIM
with an Administration whose absorbing measure is
fraught with g ruin" and destruction" These gen.
tlemen sneered at nice than wise' by the
Richie Conservatives, who make game Of the old world
simplicity, (proper only the barbarous ages which
produced an Arislides Fabricus or Cato,) which
quarres with ones bread and butter for the sake of
little honesty
Non nostrum tanias componere htes. We only in
tended at first to refer to genuine Loco Foco Conser
vatve, and the way in which he has been used up by
the Charesiown Free Preserve mean MIR. James M.
Mason Of Frederick
Mr.. James M Mason has properly defined his posi-
ton," in published letter, extract from which we
insert,-Ater. Ga=.
For myself, feel that have not been in the least
degree effected by the position in which have been
placed. | can lend myself to the support Of
party with which have nothing in common, because it
has been my misfortune to have differed certain
with that to which properly belong. On the
earliest occasion that presented itself at this session, in
reply to gentleman from New York, entered a
formal protest agsns; any such implicationand whe
Their in public private life, my future course shall be
so distinctly marked. M-.
son the great and absorbing question in our public
affairs he succession the Presidency the question
which than any other as parties are now traced
classify men, have hesitation in proclaim
ing my present opinions. Between Mr.. Van Buren,,
and those gentlemen who stand in opposition RI mean
Mr. Clay Mr. Webster, or Gen. Harrison I shall GER
tanly sustain the first naned-nor do now anticipate
any possible contingency which could drive 10 sus-
tain either Of the latter"
Upon the tone, tho sentiments and the consistency Of
this nc,c manifesto, had intended to have made some
remarks, but the following comments in the Charles
town Free Press, superscde the necessity Of word
on our part.
1t will be by reference to letter from this gen.
teman in another column that he has still further de-
fined his political position His tone appears little
more conciliatory now towards sour [hsl party than
il was short time since On the Both Of jan last he
sad-"As who had differed vitality and essentially
from the administration important measure
relating to the finances OF the country, he claimed,
that question, for HIMSELF and he believed he might
equsly claim for his brother from the South,
10 stand aoof from both The great parties Of country
He was the hand, utterly unmoved by the wrath
Of those from whom he had separated, and equally I'M
moved by the fact that their opponents had united a,
times with the small band to which il his pride TO
belong. He claimed to be State Rights Republican,
and acknowledged obedience 10 man or SCI q men
He looked to Virginia as his country. HIS allegiance
due there FIRST and nowhere else in opposition to
her sentiments and interests He held the Govern
ment trust TO be administered, not as property to
be enjoyed He asked not who ras 10 administer ~
bit hoD IL ,cas 10 be administered And u ;. should
have turned out that those who advocate the oupirea
sury scheme expected cocrce by party discipline, the
gentlemen N tho South with whom he acted, in oppos-
inc that scheme, they would find themselves greatly
mistaken, &c. ,
short month since language worthy Of patriot and
biub-mnded and independent politician But contrast
,his with his letter in o-days paper, and mark its fall
see how the patriot sinks into the slave Of party Then
he acknowledged obedience to set Of men"
now If we mistake not he acknowledges obedience
TO both. Then he belonged to "smal band" who
stood aoof from both the great parties Of tho country
Now he proclams for Martin Van Buren,, who has
IS much friendship for his "liue band" as the Devil
has for holy water and deliberately talks Of our own
party" Of the great political parties" from which