The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-27

AFTER the distribution Of the large surplus recently made
from the common Treasury bat little now remains ior
the General Government directly TO do, on this great
subject except those works which intended 70 pro-
vide on nayigabe waters, for the security OF comneres
and nasga'ioa, and the eompsIon Of the Cumberland
road, % ~
Ihave boen very glad. during my voyage upon this
lake, 10 nd that an erroneous impression had existed
in my mind as to the improvement Of harbors. had
feared that The expenditure OF public money had been
often wssteiu and unnecessary upon works on the lake
shores There are, probably q Few instances in which
il might have been properly avoided bu: am now
fully persuaded that, 10 general the expenditure has
been necessary, wise and sslutsry.
IN sustaining the great system Of policy TO which J.
have Just adyeTied. was aciuated by the paramount
desire which has Influenced me throughout my whole
public career Of preserving In all its integrity and vgor,
our happy Union Ia u Is comprehendtd peace, safety,
free institutions and all that consttntesIhe pride and
hope Of our country. IL we hit the veil beyond IL,
we must start back with horror at the Of dis
order anarchy and desporsm which rise up before
But If il be most proper and expedieut 10 leave the
case TO thu several States. those internal
within then respective limits, which the wants OF
cety require there great and lasting TO
which ! think them fairly entitled The public domain
has accomplished The objects TO which Il dedcsed
by revolutionary fathers in satisfying the land boun
ties which granted 10 the officers aud soldiers OF
the Of Independence aud in contributing TO the ex-
tlnction Of the national debt II Is IN danger Of being
totally lost. by loose aud mprosideut legislation and,
under the plausible preiext Of bene6tng the poor, Of
laying. in the hands OF spectators the foundations OF
nncipses. have thought that the nett products OF
the public domain should be equltably divided among
all the states In their hands the fund would assist IN
the execution OF those great and costly works which
many Of them have undertaken and 6ud il difficult
complete. The withdrawal Of the fund from the dam
ger which il 10 exposed and the corrupg Influences
which exes, fuctuatng the fund does, from year
year, would scarcely be felt by the general govern
ment in ifs legitimate operations and would serve TO
impress upon the performance Of The necessary duty
Of economy and strict accountability.
This 10 not suitable occasion, and, perhaps, am
not ft person to expstisie here the condition OF
our public affairs but trust that shall be excused
for saying few words those who concur in opinion
with me- without intending the slightest offence to any
present, If there be any present, from whom It Is my
misfortune TO differ We believe that there a radical
maadmnisraton Of the government; that great inte-
rests Of the country trodden down that new and
dangerous principles and practices have been introduced
and continued that fearful conjunction Of the purse
and the sword in the same hands, already alarmingly
strong 10 perseverngly attempted that the consttu
ton has been grossly violated and that by the vast
cumulaton Of executive power, actual and meditaed,
our system is rapidly tending towards an elective mo-
narchy. These convictions, honestly and sin
cerely entertained. They prescribe to Us the duties
which We have to perform towards our country. To
correct past evils and to avert impending dangers we
see no efectual remedy but in change Of rulers
The opposition constitutes the neutrality-suspicious.
ably, the majonty-of the nation A great response
bility, therefore, attaches to If defeated it will be
defeated by its divisions and not by the merit Of
the principles Of its opponent These divisions are, at
the same time. our weakness aud his strength
Are we not then called upon, Mr.. Recorder and fe
low czens by the highes. Of duties country,
its free institutions, to postery, and the world to
rise above all local prendlces and personal paraltes
to discard all collateral questions, to disregard every
subordinate point, and, IN genuine spirit OF compro-
mise and concession, uniting heart and hand TO preserve
for ourselves the blessings Of free government, wise
y, honestly and faithfully administered, and have
received them from fathers, transmit them to
chldrenl Should we pot justly subject ourselves to.
eternal reproach if permitted differences about
to bring defeat and disaster upon cause
Our principles are inpeTshabe but men have but
fleeing existence, and themselves liable to change
and corruption during its brief continuance.
If my name creates any obstacle to cordial union
and harmony, away with it, and concentrate upon
individual more acceptable to all branches Of the oppo
ston. What is public worth who is not
ready sacrifice himself for the good of his country!
1 have unatIectedly desired retirement We, desire it
when. consistently with the duties and obligations
which owe, can honoraby retire. No veteran SOL
der covered with aud wounds, inflicted in many
battles, and hard campaigns, received his
discharge with more pleasure than should mine But
think tina, like him, without presumption, am enti-
tied to an honorable discharge
In conclusion, Mr. Recorder, allow me to express TO,
the city government Though you, my respectful and
especial acknowledgements for its liberal tender Of the
hospaites Of this city. and to yon my thanks for the
friendly and fattering in which you have CON-
muncated il.