The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-01
Communications.
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
A PLAIN TALK ON POLITICAL MATTERS
NOTED DOWN BY PETER PLoUGHBoY.
EIGHTH DAY.

EIGHTH DAY.
That course Wing Administration Mould pursue.
Capias. Colonel | have now heard, presume,
most of your objections to the of the present
Administration, which suppose constitute the rea-
why you leave party and support General
Harrison. | should like now to know what course
the Wings will take, and what they propose
to adopt in the present Administration should be
defeated and General Harrison should be elected.
Col. r. Not having acted with the Wings | am
of course not proper person to make the inquiry Of
have joined them because could no longer 90 with
Mr.. Van Buren, and his party in destroying the best
interests of the country and because have become
satisfied that change of men and measures cannot
put the country in a condition than il is in
but will most likely make things better believe
however that the Wings intend acting on the princ
pie that EXPERIENCE is the best schoolmaster y that
those measures under which the country prosper
GUS business Aourished and the people were content
and happy, should again be adopted and that the
Experiments which have paralyzed every branch of
industry, destroyed the currency, impoverished the
people, annihilated confidence thrown thepoor out Of
employment, and benefited one but the oflicehod-
ers, should be abandoned at once, and forever In this
| am prepared to 20 heart and hand with them; al
though, must confess it was long time after found
Mr.. Van Buren, driving us all headlong to de-
sruction, before | could make up my mind to speak
out, and free myself from party shackles.
| Capias. But, Colonel, do you not consider Mr..
Van Buren, much more able statesman than General
Harrison, and more democratic in his principles 2 In
point of talents too, believe he is admitted to be
greatly superior to Gen. Harrison.
General Harrison and Mr.. Van Burens statesman
| ship.
| Col. X. Before answer these questions, let me
ask you for what single act of craftsmanship Mr. Van
Buren, is celebrated, except the urging upon the
try the Subtreasury scheme Z and what important
measure he ever originated
| Capas. No one occurs to me just now.
Col. r. might give you this fact then as an an
swer to your first question but will answer further
and say what sincerely believe that so far from Mr.
Van Buren, being superior statesman to Gen Harri-
SON. consider the latter much ADLER man than the
former Gen. Harrison has originated many valuable
measures and among them will mention the plan
OF selling the public lands in small parcels as they
are now sold, with the view of enabling the poor
to purchase small tracts settle upon This measure
has been the making the new States for before that
law was passed no less than 400 acres were sold by
Government, and the land consequently purchas-
cd up by the rich speculation and sold to the poor
IN smaller parcels at very high prices. might refer
you to General Harrisons administration of the affairs
of the Northwestern Territory and the Territory OF
Indiana while Governor as well as to his course in
both houses of Congress, where he always stood
/ he first md n,oet actix
both of his talents and craftsmanship But we have
other and more recent proofs OF his abilities as well
as exposiiions of his views upon the most important
questions oconsttution and policy that have agta,ed
and now agitatc, he public mind refer first to his
celebrated mastery and patriotic letter to Bolivar
production of which every American ought TO feel
proud TO his letters to Harmer Denny and Sherrod
! Williams and 10 his speeches at Columbus Fort
Mcigs, and Cleveland in all of which he has spoken
frankly and ably.
Gen Hdrrisons and Mr. Van Buren's Democracy
Capas. But you have not spoken Of his democracy
| Col r. | was about to say that in the letters and
speeches referred TO- he has avowed the genuine re-
publican doctrines of Washington which are suffi.
cienty democratic for me He has also declared his
concurrence in the republican doctrines of IS which
are usually known as Jefersonian democracy But
mans life and actions the best proofs of his prin
ciples Now, as Judge Gen. Harrison and Mr. Van
Buren, the latter talks OF democracy while the former
practscs ii.
Mr.. Van Buren al home
Mr. Van Buren, lives in the style of a EU OPEAN
PRINCE; is choice in h wines viands and cook
ing uses gold plates, gold knires forks and spoons
lounges upon silk and damask satin covered setees