The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-05-30

refer 10 passages in the history Of the slec-
tion Of the people, in the patriotic States Of
Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Of recent
date, and pc, but partially developed to the
astonished view Of our young country
They sufficiently show that the principle
which gave sise TO the contest between JEFF
fersOE and Burr ye, exists, is still in active
exercise, and is one of the strong depen-
denotes for success Of the modern Whig
party.
We are not alaruiists. The cause of the
Democracy has nothing 10 gain from repre-
sehtations Of imaginary benefits to be deri-
we'd from the action Of Government, or TO
lose from similar representations Of suffer.
ings, equally imaginary, TO Aow from the
same source. The people are, in effect,,he
Government Of OUR country; they are its
sovereign, and their will is its law. When
we appeal TO them, we do 80 under deep
conviction Of these truths, and an equally
deep CONSCIOUSNESS that we appeal I'd ra:
tional, intelligent, patriotic men; possessing
judgment 10 discriminate between truth and
falsehood; frmness TO pursue the course Of
principle, unswayed by prejudice, or pass
ion, or interest, ana integrity TO defend and
preserve those constitutional rights upon
which their lasting prosperity SO safely re-
poses:
To that people we now appeal, and,
standing among them, dssirous to submit
our acts to their calm reflection and judg
ment, We entreat them to look well to thei
rights aud interests; to guard the elective
franchise, as the sheetauchor Of their liner
lies; to protect themselves from imposition
and ralsehood, and, as necessary TO TIL
great object, from hasty and undue excite
menis, artifcialIy stimulated, and altsmple
to be supported by the power Of ricney,Uo
lho force Of trGih' We also enireat then
to lock to The conduct Of their representa-
tive servants, and ses whether, in the dis
charge of their high duties, insidious ar
breaches may not be gradually making, j
not upon the freedom Of popular elections
at least upon their efficiency as the first col
stiutionaI step, under cur systems, STATE
and National, in carrying into execution the
popular will.
Ths course Of the Opposition in Con
gress calls for the most serious censidcra.
ton of the people. Charged as that body
is with the guardianship Of the great interes
Of the country, the public have right tc
expect that those who compose it will de-
vote themselves with undivided attention
and unremitted zeal to the execution of tina
high and responsible trust. In what man
net this Just expectation has been fulfilled
will be seen In the history Of the presen
and the three preceding sessions. Its
proper deliberations have bSen perPetualIy
disturbed by discussions having 10 relation
to the subject matters of Legislation before
1t, producing interminabls delays in iht
transaction Of the public business, and EN-
barrsSsing and pOstponing ordinary and in
dispensablc measures, Essential TO the coin
mon defence and general welfars,and clear
" demanded by the expressed wishes OI
the people. Nor are these the worst fsa.
tares In this picture Of degenerate legisla.
ton. Controversies Of personal charac +
er have more than once usnrPed the place
of calm reasoning and fair debate. marked
in their progress BY angry reeriminatiOn,
and some times terminating in acts Of vio-
lence: thus converting Hall, which should
be dedicated to the sacred purposes Of legis-
laiion; to the protection of ths rights of the
psopls and the preservation Of the public
honor, into a theatte for the exhibition of
ViDdictive passions.
The brief review which We have given
of the conduct Of the Opposition in Cen.
grsss, is in perfect accordance with the
course of the Federal party during our Sec
Ond war Of independence. They propose
no measures. though protesting an earnest
desire t. relieve the country from prevailing