The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-23
8W5 From the Genera ". w Courier.
WHAT HAS HE DONE

scented to Napoleon, the first question asked by
the Emperor was, Qu'a't il fait2 What has he
done +? The principle, "BY THEIR FRUIT We
SHALL KNOW irHEM,' is not more precept Of
scripture, thana safe maxim Of worldly policy /;
nor is its application in any case more proper
than when candidate for popular favor pre-
sents himself to the nation, and claims the high
est office in their gift Let us for moment APP
ply the principle TO Mr.. Van Buren,. Let US
ask the question, and read its answer from the
records Of history. What has he done?
He has increased the annual expenses Of the
government from $13,000,000 to $39,O00,O00!
lie has spent ALL the ordinary rerennes OF
the people, though out Of those ordinary rere-
nues, his three immediate predecessors paid of
~ 100000 Of the National Debt
| He has spent, in addition thereto, the follow
ing sums, which belonged to the people, and
which, under a righteous government, would
have been distributed among the people, TO wit
In the Treasury when he came into
office, et- $6,670, 900
Withheld from the States, the 4th
instalment, ~ 1857, 900
Paid TO government BY the Bank of
the U. S., for stock of U. States 100000
Received on merchants bonds due in
'35 and '36, but postponed to '3s
and $50, - 100000
Making an aggregate of $29,O37, 900
l
dltures, run the people in DEBT, by the issue Of
| Treasury notes to the amount Of $l5,060,0 900,
whereof $7524. gag afs at anff creaung more
banks than any other man in the nation, and yet
he is now engaged in fierce crusade, not against
banks only, but against the CREDIT SYSTEM
OF the country;
He has brought forward the Sub-treasury,
and recommended its adoption by the example
Of the HARD MONEY DESPOTISMS Of
Europe; and, though that measure has been
three times REJECTED by the PEOPLE, he
is now upon the eve of FORCING 1T, by
PARTY DISCIPLINE through Congress;
He has, in violation of established precedents
and every principle Of justice, deprived sove-
reign State of her REPRESENTATION in
the National Councils;
He has, through his friends in the Senate,
advocated a REDUCTION in the WAGES
OF LABOR, and THE PRICE OF PRO
DUCE, as one Of the blest results Of the Sub
treasury scheme, and as the strongest argument
in its favor. f
He has, through John G. Calhoun, introduced
a bill to DEPRIVE THE OLD STATES Of
then RIGHTS in the PUBLIC DOMAIN,
though those rights are expressly reserved in
their several deeds Of cession and il is not with
in the constitutional powers of Congress to take
them away:
He has LOST more public money by the
DEFALCATIONSo fhis agents in three years,
than any previous President has done in eight.
He has, through Mr.. Grundy's report endea-
vored to blast the credit Of independent commu-
mites, by falsely insnuating to this nation and
to the world that the American States had petit
toned the general government to assume their
debts:
He has strongly recommended the adoption of
military system, which raises and places at his
exclusive disposal, an effective STANDING
ARMY Of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
men, with reserve Of one hundred thousand
more
He has practised the most shameless corrup-
ton in every department OF his government
appointed men to, and removed them from Office,
solely in reference to their political sentiments
continued known defauters in Office; prostituted
the honor, the interests and the dignity Of the
nation 10 party purposes; and, in fine, proved
that, in some men, the virtues are like garments
to be put on and of at pleasure while intrigue
and corruption constitute the body of their poll
teal character
Amid the disastrous influences of his malign
administration, it may be some consolation 10
reflect that his example has inculcated at least
one truth, important for every people to know
TO wit; that HIGH station does not secure man
from low arts; that it is possible to possess all
The subtlety of a serpent, without any of its wis
dom-all the apparent simplicity of dove, with |
out any OF its innocence--to be a DEMOCRAT |
IN NOTHING but profession, and FEDE- |
kALlST in every thing but NAME.
I'ppecaaoe Ciubs.--These Clubs are exact |