The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-21

/ tous members OF decayed, but vet influential.
! families, with the immense patronage of the
! federal Executive, welded as that patronage
now Is, by the greatest master in That way,
since Sir Robert Walpole, and TO whom he
bears the most striking resemblance in every
PORT of public and private character, makes
the present crisis fearful and alarming. OF
dissolution never have had any fears. II
never will, it never can happen. There is
another and greater danger--consolidat
and the consequent increase Of Executive
mower. and the universal corruption Of the
yi,als of the body potic-until the whole
mass becomes rotten and falls to pieces by its
own corruption. General Jackson, who had
many, very many points Of great man about
him, unequalltd sagacity, GOODNESS, and
courage, moral and physical, which benched
at nothing, did more to change the principles
Of the Government than every man who has
lived before him. He was born despot--
he was so by the natural constitution OF his
mind still more was he so by habit and edu-
cation. He was born to command, as has
been said Of him, and he did not disappoint his
destiny--iura neget sbi nata. Loving power
as he lid from instinct as well as habit, il was
natural that he should seek to destroy the
power Of all the coordinate branches OF the
Government, all those checks and balances
provided by our wise relathers--exactly in
proportion as he did so he strengthened the
power of the Executive. He struck no blow
more insidious or more fatal than by con-
slant appeal to the people as his constituents
against the other constituted authorities Of the
country-Make the Executive the direct re-
preventative Of the people, and by whatever
name you callit your Government is des-
potsm.
declare, in all sincerity, that regard the
present as an infinitely important epoch in the
history of the country involving, in my de-
liberate judgment, the question whether the
President shall nominate his succes sor
The first step in the downward progress Of
all the Republics which have preceded us, as
to forms of Government, they are not so inn
portant would rather have despotsm with
the general spirit Of liberty, than free institu-
tons without that spirit. The forms Of the
Roman Republic remained, long after there
was no vestige of Roman liberty left, nor was
that liberty crushed by the all accomplished
julius, although he inflicted deep wound
upon it yet its destruction was not consum-
mated by that high and generous spirit 1t
was the willy and artful Augustus who finish
ed the work which had been commenced, and
by the most fatal process, the slow decay Of
insidious and gradual corruption. have only
to say, in conclusion, that from careful and
impartial review Of the past, can place no
confidence in the pledges, however solemnly
made by the party in power. know of no
single principle which they have carried out
on pledge, that that they have redeemed. If,
4 al tbnxr hall
honestly carry out the principles which they
profess, they shall have my votes for their
measures, not for themselves. Itmay be, too,
sir, that state of things may occur, when
shall not support those who oppose them. If
it does, shall take choice Of evils. shall
endorse for neither and expect my position
still to be in the opposition, supporting the
measures of the Administration when right,
as have heretofore done but not, in the
slightest degree, connecting myself with that
Administration. claim no sort Of credit for
this, sir, wholly independent as l am Of Ex-
esalys end R2yeIa ha r n sps Tsh
termination of my own, and despising myself
as should. if could exchange the service of
such constituents as | have, for any office in
the gift of any President.
All humble as am, thanks to the nobest
constituency that ever man had, am here as
an independent power; | am no mans man
| owe allegiance to no man; have carte
blanche from my constituents to do whatever
think for the public good. And well know
that as long as am faithful in the discharge
! OF my duties, If do crr-as err must-their
kindness will forgive me. And If, sir, could
so far forget what is due to myself as to de-
base myself into party or personal minion
and parasite, have too much respect for them
to do it. No, sir, feel the luxury of this
freedom too n'uch,to barter it away. II would
not my unhoused free condition, put into
circumscription and confne, for the seas
WORTH" There is but one authority on
earth to which submit my public conduct,
and to that bow in willing and grateful ho-
mage, the authority Of my constituents, and
authority only felt in kindness and affection,
as gentle, as soothing and forgiving as a
mother.