The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-06-29

/ Hinder these circumstances Of essential do.
feat, the baffled party supporting the Presi-
dents claims 10 power, turned in extreme des-
peraiion to the .Old Dominion" Here was
State that had been the Mother of men, and
the god-mother Of the Republican parry
| She had given birth 10 a Washingion, a JEFF
ferson, Madison, Henry, Marshall, and
a Monroe. Ii was Her Son who led the
American Eagle TO victory over the British
Lion-her son who proclaimed the charter OF
American lndependence--he son who iabri-
Gated the American Constituiion-her son
who gave character TO the Supreme Judlci-
airy of the United States Her statesmen
had, in times past, given tone TO American
politics, and stamped the impress OF their
characters upon American institutions lar and
wide Sister States were wont TO follow the
lead Of Virginia. She had, from the earliest
times. stood in the vanguard of The Southern
half Of the Confederacy, and every throb oil
her once great heart had off vibraled IN the
remoiest South All these eminent conside-
ralions, added TO the distinguished influence
she still preserves, which il was apprehend-
ed would 90 far towards deciding the fate of
the present administration, consplred TO render
her political friendship matter OF high pride
and importance.
The Opposition entered the contest under
many disadvantages. The Van Buren, cleo
tors had received in 1886, thirty thousand two
hundred and skye votes, being majority
Of six thousand eight hundred and ninety
three votes orer all others. 1t is not probable
that the Presidential question affected the
voters materially in the subsequent elections
for State officers; the people generally, IN
such elections, being more influenced by local
and personal considerations. The Congress
sional election Of 1897 was, however. again
decided expression in favor OF Mr. van
Buren-fiteen Representatives having been
returned friendly to his administration, and
only six Wings. At the opening Of the
Twenty fifth Congress, the Sub-Treasury
scheme and bankrupt law were recommended.
Five Of the administration Representatives.,
and one OF the administration Senators, and
several of the administration presses in Vir-
GINA took grounds against both Of these pro.
positions. Mr.. Rves, the Senator, had dis
covered the preceding winter that his views
of currency must, at some time, diyerge from
those of Mr.. Benton. He had SO stated, in
his place in the Senate, and the currency bin
HC hltiOuuCCu III luItuSldHSC VI hlS SlC"oy
and repeating the specie circular, was sup
ported by members Of the administration
party, and carried through both Houses Of
Congress by unusually large majorities. This
bill was pocheied BY General Jackson. The
debates on the currency again arose at the
extra session, and were conducted with sim
gular spirit and ability, and at great length.
1t then fully appeared that the pocketing of
the currency bill, was the harbinger of the
adoption, by the administration, of the wild
notions Of currency entertained by Mr.. Ben
ton. The Conservatives took the ground of
the previous session with the determination
to maintain it. They were abandoned by
the mass Of the administration party, who
found themselves Obliged to forsake the prin-
ciples they had sustained the previous session,
and embrace the Bentonian theories now
adopted by the administration. Upon the
issues thus formed, the two branches OF the
administration diverged more and more as the
heat OF controversy increased. All this
eventuated in elimination and recrmnation,
and the final separate organization Of these
two divisions Of the administration party.
The Conservatives, however, did not intend
at first 10 separate from the administration, or
form distinct organization. But the flood
gates Of abuse and defamation being opened
upon them by the Bentonian or destructive
branch of the administration party. they were
at last compelled TO come out from among
their revilers in selfdefence. When this
was accomplished, Mr., Bentons bliss was
complele-his policy was triumphant in the
councils Of the Executive. The Conserva-
tive feeling, however, extended far and wide,
and no doubt contributed largely to the great
political revolutions in New York and Con-
necIicut Ii was no, destined to die easily in
Virginia.
Simultaneous, however, with the conserva-
tive action, there was an echelon movement
by small portion Of the Wing party who
had been attached to the Modification and
Staes-rights flag Of Mr. Calhoun. These
gentlemen manifested a singular jealousy of
heConservatives and violently oppnsed as they
had been to Mr. Van Buren, and his predeces-
sor, they now embraced those very measures
OF the administration which the Conservatives
had refused to support. The mass of the
Wings evinced a disposition to cooperate
with, and sustain the Conservatives in the
trying position they had assumed. The ad-
ministration party endeavored TO fan the dis
affection among the Wings, in the hope Of
enlisling from their ranks number of re-
crui,s, sufficient to compensate for the loss of
the Conservatives. The whole moral force
Of the Conservatives depended upon their
maintaining their identity, their consistency,
and the position they had taken. II was the
policy Of the administration to scatter and
overwhelm them, for the purpose, both Of
illustrating its own power, and making the Con-
servatives terrifying examples 10 dissenters
through allime. In furtherance of this purpose
they were assailed by every press at the COM
mand Of the Executive, and pursued, even into
the secrecy Of private life, with every species
Of calumny and abuse, and with reckless