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

of the charter of American freedom and indepen.
dence, and if ever People had reason to con
graduate themselves and the friends of Liberty
upon the successful trial Of seli.goyenmont aud
the prospect of glorious duration, surely TN, j,
the one None Of the ancient republics stood i,
long-none were even so prosperous while th,y
did stand.
After the revolution was accomplished IN
free institutions for whichits authors fought Were
established, and Gen. Washington was first II
administer them. John Adams followed HIM
because he was the eloquent advocate ot lndc
pendence. Thomas Jeferson's administrator
next ensued and the people elected him because
he was the author Of the Declaration and III
thusiastc friend Of Republicanism. james Ma
olson followed, because he was the genius Who
brought order out of chaos, and was the father
and expounder of the constitution James Mon
roe came next, being the last of the Revolution
airy line. J. q. Adams was then chosen for Ii.
diplomatic experience, and extensive acquf,
ments. Gen. Jackson came next, because he
achieved brilliant victory for the Amer,can
Arms at New Orleans Then followed Nj
Van Buren,, and why, il is difficult 10 ell--thrrr
being no public service ofhs of any unportanc,
upon which any man can put his finger
Under all these admins eycept thp
last we have enjoyed the blessings intended 10
be secured by the revolution. The Government
has stood every test-and even the test OF mn,
government, and triumphed over all difficulties.
II was reserved, however, for Mr. Van Buren,
after 60years Of almost uninterrupted prosperity
TO discover that another revolution" was il,
cessary. Ii was reserved for him 10 d,rar.
war against credit was reserved for HIM M
carry US back TO monarchcal government, tor
our financial system, and our style Of furnur.
and living-tor him 10 devise plan for alyina
local habltation and name the United States
Treasury, and 10 place the same under the con-
troll of the Executive-for him TO demand /,
standing army of 200 900 men in time OF peace
for him TO introduce bloodhounds into the army
service-for him 10 introduce the Tabouret ii
Princes into his court--tor him TO ape foreign
arstocracy-to override majorities-to put The
people at as great a distance as possible from
their servants-to establish one currency for the
Government, and another for the people, and "a
reduce wages and prices ito the standard d
real prices throughout the world 1t was re-
served for Mr.. Van Buren, to assaI the indepen
dence OF the people and Of the States, 10 pro
scribe for opinions sake, and TO reduce Govern
ment to practical despotism. II was reserved
for hun TO be the exclusive President Of party,
and to make the entire policy OF the Govern
ment bend to its tyrannical will, without any re
gard TO the rights or interests of the minority
The tyranny Of mere party in Government is
sufficiently ntolerabe, and when the President
becomes the alternate dictator and tool Of that
party, he personates the strongest idea of abso-
lutte despousm; and il is a despolism, when the
President is supported by the majority. from
which there is no appeal but 10 force This
very fact makes the conduct Of parzan Pre-
sldent the more ungracious and indcicate One
OF the fruits Of this misconduct is the reversal
of the order of legislation. The lower house
of the Legislative body, being the nearest re
representatives. Of the people, has heretofore
all those involving appropriations Of money
II was reserved for Mr.. Van Buren, to re-
voutionize this just and popular course
Imagining that he can do no wrong 10 his party,
and that he is elected to represent and lead that
party, he has made the House of Representatives
the tail OF legislative power. He has assumed
to be himself a g component part of the legisla-
i've power" and laws, and especially those
giving power and approprating money, except
IN private cases, now originate with him instead
OF the House of Representatives The Senate
he has made mere council, and the House a
mere appendage, 10 which laws are sent only 10
keep up forms and appearances. The other day
the House passed law bearing intimately upon
the business Of this District 1t being sent IL
the Senate il could not be taken up except by
unanimous consent, so one Of the most consp-
cuous partzans of the President elected TO taking
up the subject unless the Senate would put aside
the House bill and take as a substitute the one
he should dictate and, as il was necessary 10
pass some bill at that moment, the Senate were.
,ccre obliged 10 yieM their expressed rishes to
The dictotion from ne Senate--or, in other
words, from the Executive.
The fourth of July is called the Jubilee Of
Freedom and independence. But there is no
freedom or independence of opinion or of action
to be enjoyed as the Government is now ADM
nlstered. There is more in the monarchies of
Europe. There man is free TO write or speak
his opinions, and if he happens TO differ with
the majority yet he is not secuted and ostra-
clsed, On the contrary, his course is often ap-
plauded, and he receives the more respect for his
originality and independence. Here an indv-