The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-04

thor OF the resolution intended TO excuse his vote il
favor OF the Cumberland road. This will not be OBJ
Jected to by many but still one would have expecte
ina. 'he asowa ofthe principles Of the party upon thi
suplecti would have been more open and candid.
The next resolution declares that the assumption 0
State debts by the General Government would nethe
DC constitutional just, nor expedient"
Inc next declares that
Justice and sound policy forbid the Federal Gov
eminent 10 foster one branch of industry to the detri
ment oil another to cherish the interests OF one por
uon 10 the injury of another portion Of our common
country
Tins Is meant to be construed in the South as de
ciarauon against the tariff; in the North, DISPOSE
ton 10 do justice to the manufacturing interests 10
the advocates of the high tariff policy are persuade,
hat the interest Of all pursuits and all sections Of tn,
Union VIII be promoted by it, Can this be said TO b,
an open, manly avowa of the opinions of the party
power upon the TARIFF
ne next resolution approves the " most rigid econ
omy In conducting our public affairs
There can be no objection to the principle Of thii
resolution Il Is only to be regretted that the authors
OF II have shown so little regard for il in practice.
The next resolution declares
"Ihat Congress has no power to charter national
bank; that such institution is Of deadly host
ty to the best interests of the country, dangerous Il
our republican institutions and the liberties Of the
people"
The next is equally explicit on the subject of abo
lition, and denounces it,
The next declares, that
The separation Of the moneys of the Government
from banking institutions is indispensable for the safety
OF the funds of the Government and the rights of the
people"
The next, and last, declares, that
The liberal principles embodied by Jefferson in
the declaration of independence and sanctioned IN
thnI ~
and the asylum of the oppressed every nation have
ever been the cardinal principles Of the democratic
faith"
While this clause Of the resolution would seem
when taken in connexion with what follows, to be q
mere declaration of opinion against repeal of the
existing laws the subject of natu aizaon yet the
marked phraseology of jusfes tile inference that il
is also meant to catch the more phiosophc and judi
cous philanthropists of the North belonging to the
dominant party and who are not for precipHate dc-
ton.
You will be astonished, Mr. Chairman, to hear tina,
this closes the declaration of the principles Of the party
ushered forth with much parade from the late Bal
tmore Convention and after all the vauntng promises
ofthe sage chief who presided over its deliberations
imagine hear you, sir, { Mr.. Banks whisper ia
yourself-can this be SO 2 Is there declaration Of
our creed upon the subject of the State banks? No
thing concerning our principles in relation to paper
currency Nothing upon the subject OF gold and
views the question of the power Of this Govern
ment to regulate, or to have any thing to do with the
currency Of the people or Of the States :
Sir, you may well ask yourself these questions ant
You will find your Confession Of Faith def
cient upon another great question-one almost i'm
portant as that of the currency. aude to the pub
lands. Is not strange that you have omitted to taxi
any notice whatever of that great subjects Are you
sir, for against the distribution of the proceeds
the public lands Are you or your friends for o
Of fbaS t.fa ha., M
form, or is it your purpose TO destroy Or, sir arr
you so much divided among yourselves on that poin
ARE you equally balanced between reform and de
structon, that you thought it safest to conceal you
views altogether upon this imp rtant subject
] have looked Mr.. Chairman, into the long address
which accompanies the formal declaration Of the prn
cipes of the party contained in the resolutions to
ifthe deficiencies have pointed out were supplied by
1t, but looked in vain lido find something, however
In that address toe xce especial wonder find it her,
stated that the principles which the Administra
ton of the Government has been conducted under hs
(Mr Van Buren's) direction, have never changed
and can never change" 60 They (meaninp the prn.
cples OF the administration coeva with the demo
cratic party They constitute its existence and iden
tity and citizen, however eminent or illustrious
should be considered worthy ofits support whose
rable attachment has not been manifested by lite OF
devotion through every vicssude of hope and dscour
agement, victory and defeat" OF these eternal and
Interchangeable principles "a strict construction Of the
Constitution" | find enumerated in the address as
one and that opposition, unqualified and uncom-
promising, to the establishment of United States
Bank, alike unconstitutional, nexpedient, and dan
gerous to public liberty" is another ofthem.
These declarations, repeat, must excite the espe-
cal wonder and amazement of all candid and well in
formed men. Without the requisite of lnvariabe at
tachment to these principles among others, pro-
claimed that no man can receive the support of their
party and, what is not less astonishing the resolu-
tons and address were adopted in the Convention
unanimousiy--the address upon the motion of Mr.
Grundy But, sir these things do but demonstrate
the little vauenay sir the utter worthessness and
holowness of the professions of the leading men Of
the party.
think have now arrived at point in this digres-
sion at which may with advantage to the course
of that standard old democrat Of my State, Mr..
Grundy To say nothing of Mr. Van Buren, | am
totally at loss to comprehend how he (Mr Grundy)
will be abide the ordeal prescribed in the address par
ticuarly the points of strict construction of the
Constitution" and 81 United States Bank" How
either of these gentlemen have succeeded in satisfying
their friends that they have not varied in their attach
ment to the principles involved in these questions by
the support which they have give to internal i'm
provemcnts and United States Bank, must ever re-
main mystery. There is another question upon
which think both these gentlemen, as well as most
of their friends will find some difficulty in rcconcing
with the truth OF the statement contained in this adj
dress. A separation of the fiscal concerns of the
Government is there laid down as a fundamental
principle of the democratic party. Has this prnci-
Pile ofther party never changed Or how long has it
been since the support Of the State banks and rel
upon them as the fiscal agents of the Govern
nent proclaimed to be the true test OF democracy
But must not blend things that ought to be dis
tnctly presented nor is it quite respectful to notice
any other gentleman, when discussing the pub
lie character of the veteran democrat of my own
State.
Let us test his fidelity to the principles of the
he sub of n
ted States Bank. In doing this, shall at the same
time learn how far the statements in that address
to be relied upon.
find in the journal of the House, for the year 1914
this entry
Mr.. Grumpy, of Tennessee, submitted the follow
ing resolution for consideration
Resolved, That committee be appointed to in