The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-08
TACTICS OF THE ENEMY.

The leaders of the federal opposton-for 10y this
designation the routed troops Of the palace will be
known until the development of their future prnci
pies and conduct entte them to odious epthet
are already beginning to shadow forth through their
party organs, the general plan of warfare by which
they expect to regain their lost power and asccndancy
The mode in which they propose TO attain their OBJ
cc is every way worthy of such miserable ntrgucrs.
" Let us not talk of future presidential candidates
says federal print in Pennsylvania, until we have
relossessed ourselves of some Of the LARGE States as
capital to start with Let us not propose any gene
raj measures" echoes an organ in New York that
may provoke discussion and differences among our
| selves, until we have power to spring them upon the
people" " Let US drop by common consent say all
the subject of national politics abandon the Sub
trcasury-hard demonstrating army and Anti Ia
riff doctrines and projects for the present and each
squad assume the principles most popular in mme-
date ncighborhoods, and in this way smuggle our
selves into local Offices, until gain strength enough
| to take TIE field again as national party.
| In pursuance of this hopeful plan the Van Buren,
papers after another disseminating all ausion
to the merits of the favorite SON and the
measures OF his administration Those who profess
| ed themselves ready few months since TO sink
| or swim with him do not now TO have any
aecriiy at sinking" whatever, and quite content
that the head of the party should 90 down alone Men
may be met at the street who do not hesitate TO
bcrate Mr. Van Buren, openly in good set terms for
his nfatuation, and descant on the excellent poti-
cal lessons they have learned since his overthrow or
these, some without doubt sincere in what they
say and will not easily be cnsnarcd again by the tolls
of the party and inducedts against then own con
yctions of right. With others it is sheer prctencc
Matched in fraud and leading to the grosses mposi
ton.
For the next four years the Wings should be on
their guard against the sratagcms, ambuscades and
local onsets OF their adversares Crafty and insidous
designs will be practsed their lost ground
inch by inch Wherevera chance to avail themselves
of local dissensons, prejudces indifference offers
they will be on the alert TO improve it. An organized
system of guerilla warfare will be adopted by them in
every State. Their iorrcsses wrested from them and
their garrsons dispersed they will seek every
and assume every disguise. Abandoning the open
field Of controversy and honorable advocacy of
their principles they will endcavor deceive bctray
and steal upon when their presence is least expect
ed. And II Is 10 this dsreputabe and wretched neces-
sity that the PREDICATE managers of a proud and
powerful party have reduced themselves and now
seek TO reduce their followers Even their leading
organs compelled to it But will the great
body of the old Republican party wage the
battle in this way Will they submit to this base
system OF party tactics Will they take the field
without banner standard bearer Will they creep
to conquer and assassinac to kill We imagine not
There is a better and nobler open to such of
them not already with us-of which shall
speak hereaftcr-AB, Ere. Jour.