The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-21

some States ratified IL conditlonally, or rather
with declaration Of rights reserved TO the
States and 10 the People Others ratified il
with Instructions TO their first Members Of Con
gress to propose certain amendments, all going
10 secure the rights of the States and the liber-
Ties Of the People. He believed the Declaration
oil Rights commenced in Massachusetts. IL
was followed up and enlarged by the States
which had not previously ratified the Consitu-
non. In this State, its adoption was powerfully
| opposed Thep urest patriots Of the Revolution
We're among its opposers. He would name a
| lew OF the most distinguished, and who bore
lher Republican principles through life, without
ialtering. He would begin with George Gin
ton; then Melancthon Smith of Dutcess; John
Ireadwe of Queens; Robert Yates and John
Lang Jr. of Albany. The State eventually ra-
tlhed II with a strong Declaration Of Rights,
ana instructions to our first Members OF Con-
gress 10 propose amendments.
The Constitution was adopted by competent
number OF States, and the first Congress com
inenced its session on the 4th Of March, 1889.
Twelve amendments TO the Constitution, all
calculated to secure TO the States and TO the
People their rights and their liberties, were sub
mitted 10 the consideration of the several States.
Ten of these amendments were ratified by a
competent number Of the States aud become a
part OF the Constitution. The rights Of the
States and the liberties Of the People being thus
made secure against the encroachments Of pow
er, the Anti Federalsts generally became recon
ciled TO the Constitution and its most jealous
supporters. They ceased to be Anti Federalists
and assumed the name Of Republicans Those
OF the Federal party who were most zealousy
disposed togive strength and energy TO the Fede-
raj Government--to give 10 il an authority para
mount and controlling over the States, and to
hold them as mere provinces of the Empire
found themselves foed by amendments. They
then attempted, by construction and implication
to get possession of powers not granted TO them
and of course denied TO them, by one of the
amendments TO the Constitution struggle
for power ensued, excited and inhamed by ex-
traneous circumstances-by the mighty revolu-
lions on the other side Of the Atlanlic-iill the
Federal party felt II necessary to entrench them
selves behind a Sedition Law. That odous
measure kndled the Indignation Of an insulted
People, and the strong battlements of power
were oyerthrown A revolution in public senti-
ment placed THOMAS JEFFERSON in the Presi-
dental chair, and gave 10 the nation Repubii-
can Administration. The Federal party con
tinued their vain struggles to regain their lost
power In this State, during the Embargo and
Non-lntercourse, they occasionally obtaineda TEN
porary and mixed ascendency. In 1912, when
war was declared against Great Britain, on the
denomination of President Madison, they made
desperate effort, under the name of the Peace
party, to defeat his reelection, by the support
OF Mr. Clinton for that Office. In this. enterprise
Mr.. Van Buren, was very prominent and dis
tinguished, and as Gen r. thought at that time,
not very honorable actor. Mr.. Madison was
reelected and Mr.. Van Buren, fell in with the
Republican party IN support OF the prosecution
OF the war. Others, too, and of the old Federal
party, when their country was in danger, rallied
around her standard, The honorable Senator
from the I'd (Mr. Hunter) told us the other day
that he rendered his services to the Governor
You, Mr.. Chairman, (Co ii. A. Livingston
you, sir actually drew your sword in your coun
ry's defence. AT the head Of your regiment,
you marched TO the point Of threatened danger,
determined TO vindicate the honor Of your coun-
try's flag or perish IN .hn attempt The Goodies,
n n .hfn we're called met IN the Park, resolved
war They ala as,i,r and bv the mutual ex-
ertion Of that sort Of Federaists with the Re
publican party, the war was brought to an no
norable termination. Will the honorable Sena-
tor (Col. Young) allow such men to unite with
the Wings Of the present day? They are ge-
morally SO united: So are the intelligent and
moderate Federalists about the country-your
farmers and mechanics--men of the "middiing
interest," in society, honest and unambtious of
spoils while the real high-hyers-the nitras,
the biue-Hghfs-are generally on the side of the
Sub treasury. There let them be; we don't
want them.
In 1917, said Gen. r., De Witt Clinton was
elected Governor by the united suflrages Of all
political parties except Tammany Hall. The
influence of that ancient Temple brought some
thing like four thousand votes in favor Of an
opposite candidate This election was consi-
dered by many as sounding the kncll Of the Fe
deral party. They shortly afterward held a
Convention in this city, al which il IS said they |
formally dsbanded their party-dissolved il, |
and agreed that each one should seek his politi |
cal fortunes as his inclination or his sagacity |
might direct. Mr.. Van Buren, soon came out
in opposition to Gov Clinton. The Bucktail
party increased in strength, and the Fedcralists,
although disbanded by ordinance Of their Con
vention, rallied in considerable force. They |
were the weakest in numbers, Of the three par
ties in the Assembly, but strong in talents
Like other minorities in triangular warfare,
they held the balance of power. They gave il
10 Mr. Clinton, and elected for him Council Of
Appointment With this Council he removed
Mr. Van Buren, as Attorney General, and APP
pointed distinguished Fcdcrast in his place.
In the winter Of 1920, during the canvass pre-
ceding Governors election, about fifty distn
guished and influential Federalists, duly organ
ized. and with their manifesto ready for publ
cation, were introduced by Mr.. Van Buren, into
the bosom of the great Republican family. This
band was denominated the "high minded Re
deralistsn This old Fedtrdiisf standing
here" said Gen. II. was opposed to their intro
ducton en- masse. He pointed out some Of the
mischiefs that must ensue, but he was voted
down by the superior adroitness OF Mr.. Van
Buren, Since that time, we have heard nothing
more Of the Federal party as a distinct political
party. OF late the name has been banded
about, and thrown across from party 10 party,
more as a term Of reproach and abhouence than
Of respect and affection A party without merit
and without principle may for a while keep IL
self in power By such means, but the charm Is
soon broken and the actors held in dcrIsion
Gen Root said he could not take final
leave Of the old Federal party, ull he had done