The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-28

tfation IN such practices, and to tolerate then
Representatives in smothering up investigation,
and concealng from them the truth Can i
be so2 "A shall never believe il until the unwel'
come conviction shall be forced on me BY cad
reality. Though, Mr., Chairman, have EN-.
ployed language in expressing my conviction o.
men and measures, that may seem to proceed
from personal hostility on my part, yet feel i
is not so. My language, though plain and blunt
imports nothing which, in my conscience, be-
level could, as a faithful Representative, have
omitted TO say. That il might have been said
in more polished language, and in less offensive
terms, is, know, strictly true but | have spo-
ken my opinions, which, light and unimportanl
as know they are, wish to go forth in une-
be misunderstood by the most illiterate. II affords
me no pleasure TO speak thus of these disre-
putable practices and corrupting abuses. All
sir, il is painful in the extreme, even 70 contem-
plate the Inundated condition TO which the de-
generacy Of the times has brought this country.
How much more painful must il be TO one who
loves his country and is proud of its institutions,
to feel that il is his paramount duty, the only
hope of restoring down-trodden constitution.
to speak out from this high theartre from which
the whole world may hear, these unvarnished
truths, appalling and shocking as they may be
| know no man can tpcak, as have spoken, of
a party and their measures, without giving them
mortal offence He who does SO, will get no re-
ward so certainly as their enmify and hatred He
must expect to have poured forth upon his head
the bitterest abuse and mostunmeasured denun-
Citations, through thousand subsidized presses,
and hundred thousand holders. These
malcdictions, however unjust and unfounded,
with large masses of the community, in greater
or less degree, blacken his character. II IS not,
therefore, agreeable to any one to act SO as to-
bring down upon himself such responsibilities /;
few have enough of what by some is called mo
raj frmness, and by others indiscrefion, to
speak what they think. No boon, except con-
science void of offence, is so'desirable to one
properly organized, as the good opinions and
good feelings of his fellow-men. No man lives
who prizes this boon more highly than I nor
would forego it except from deep sense of an
imperious duty 70 my country except for a boon
Iprize stillmore highly than that--a clear consci
ence The patriot and statesman, in an hour
of adversely, may see his glory depart; his I'M
numbered admirers may abandon him his best,
his truest of human friends may enormously
blame him, and cruelty desert him. The public
man who would be wise, should reckon the
worst among the future contingencies of his life,
and should be prepared for the greatest enier-
gencies. Every one has within himself con-
slant, faithful, and never-absent companion, who
is his best friend or his worst enemy from the
frowns and taunts of every other he may fee,
but from this one fight IS vain. If, then, he
would be truly wise, we will make every other
motive in life subordinate to the friendship Of
this companion, with whom, for veal or for wo,
we have to live through life and lie down in
death. 10000