The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-19

be an humble member, that il Is a Federal party,
and opposed 10 republican principles, come from
what source II may, II is base SANDER and false
hood. II IS not the Federal party, nor does il
maintain Federal principles.
What Is Federalism Its most important
features are the Increase OF Federal patronage,
the enlargement of Executive power, the con
centraton OF every thing in the hands OF the Pre-
sident OF the United States--a strong, consol-
dated Federal Government
where do you find most of those who acted
with the Federal party2 They are now in the
ranks ,as Of locoiocoism, and foremost in the fight
W no are IN favor Of these principles Who
put The gentleman from Maine, and the party
win whom he acts, and which now proposes by
the Dill, which ought TO, but unfortunately has
not Deerl, under discussion, TO increase the power
OF the Executive Who proposes the Sub
Treasury bull which the ma ority in this House
seem so reluctant tobring up for debate2 Who
is in favor OF that measure of abomination
which is to increase and strengthen the influence
Of the President by fearful augmentation of
his power and patronage The gentleman from
Maine and his political associates. Who has
multiplied the number Of officers Who has
increased the expenditures OF your Government
from thirteen TO forty millions of dollars Who
has squandered your surplus revenue2 Who
now calls upon this House for five millions OF
irredeemable Treasury shinplasters TO save your
Government from bankruptcy The gentleman
from Maine and his economical democratic
friends.
Mr.. Chairman, will not dwell longer on this
subject; trust, however, the committee will bear
with me one moment while | refer TO another
subject which has been incidentally connected
with this debate. | am not apprehenslve OF an
immediate war growing out OF the Northeastern
boundary question, and although may subject
myself to the charge of being federalist or even
old | will say her in NV MI
that at present ! should deprecate war with
Great Britain. War is the greatest misfortune
that befall nation, and brings with II
train of frightful calamities. Who can calculate
its consequences at this time? Sir, il would
not be confined to Great Britain and the United
States-the whole civilized world would be in
volved in the great conflict Who can be de-
sirous of such event, when he looks at our
defenceless situation, at our extensive seaboard,
unprotected it is, with dilapideted fortifca-
tons without the munitions OF war, and with
scarcely regulars enough to fire a national salute?
Who, when he looks at our extensive Western
frontiers, guarded only by Indian warriors, dis
poed Of their inheritance, and who seek an OPP
portunity to avenge Reconsideration he looks
at our great Western lakes without harbors, Or
a single preparatlon--wh | ask, is ready 10
plunge us headlong and unprepared into war;
repeat, sir, ! would deprecate IT, but have no
immediate apprehensions The cry Of war,
war, will not take with the People. This Incl
pient stage of war has been courted by the Ad-
ministration, and is mere party trick TO divert
public attention from the proiigacy, extrava
gance, and corruption of this Administration.
have no fear that public attention will be
thus diverted. We have battle to fight at
home-a war against this Administration and
its destructive measures, which must be brought
to successful termination before we shall be
in condition to carry on against powerful
foreign nation The Administration are aware
of this they hear the distant thunder as it
comes booming over from the great valley of the
| West-they hear it from the plains OF the
South--it IS echoed back from the granite hills
of New England; with the voice of her mighty
cateract it comes from the Empire State; aye,
sir, the thunder strikes upon the dome of this
Capitol, and reverberates in the halls OF the Ex-
| ecutlve palace
The President has shown his capacity for war
in the management of the bloodhound war in
Florida On the 4th of March we shall place
in the Presidential chair the Hero of Tippeca-
noe--a General and a statesman-capable OF
conducting a war, and bringing il to success
full termination--one who never lost battle.
Mr. Chairman, should all deprecate war;
but, sir, much as would deprecate it, stern, abb
solute necessity may demand resort TO it; and
VIII never that necessity shall arise, whsn our
rights and national honor cannot be otherwise
preserved, | trust shall be found on the side of
my country, nor will stop to inquire whether
she be right or wrong.
| have already trespassed too long upon the
indulgence of the House. return my thanks
for the kind and unexpected attention which
have received, but allow me, in conclusion, to
address word TO my distinguished friend from
Maine. True to the federal instincts of his
party, he boasts of the responsibility and gal
lantry of his connexions, and informs us that
during the last war he unfortunately lost a bro
Their, and had another seriously wounded. |
would not speak of them in terms of disrespect,
and doubt not they were brave and gallant men,
but the honorable member from Maine will per-
nit me to say it will never be my pride to rise
here and boast of my patriotism and courage,
by telling this House and the country that lost
brother, but saved myself.