The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-23
SPEECH OF JOHN T.. STUART,

OF ILLINOIS.
Ii THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 81, 1910.
In the Committee of the Whole ON the state Of
Union, on the Girl and Diplomatic Appro
priation Bill.
But, sir, wish to notice another position as
sumed by my colleague. He said in substance
that the present Wing party is the old Federal
party This, sir, is the flag end of a miserable
stump speech adapted to the region of the Gro
Gerry or the Cross Roads. 1t is the assertion
made by every demagogue who would endeavor
10 deceive the people, and mslead them through
their prejudices. This part of the speech Of
my colleague is an old acquaintance Of mlneT
heard it regularly at every stump speech made
BY my opponent. 1t commenced by saying that
there always have been two great parties IN this
country and concluded by saying that the Van
Buren, party is the old Democratic party, and
the Wing party s'the old Federal party. ! am
told that my colleague related the same story in
the Southern district, and if any one will take
the trouble to examine an old file of the Globe,
about two years past, they will find an article, TO
which all similar speeches owe their paternity
But was surprised to hear my colleague serve
upagain in this house his old worn out stump
speech The old Federal party has long ceased
to exist. OF the members of that old party but
few are now living they have long since gone
TO settle their accounts at higher tribunal. My
colleague cannot desire to be understood that in
the identity of its members, the Wing party is
the old Federal party. But it may be said that
the principles Of the Wing party are the same
as the principles of the old Federal party. NV
colleague has said g that the principles of the
wo parties were widely different. Thatone party
(the FederaD had for its model the British Go
vernment. This party therefore advocated a
powerful and energetic central government"
III l.. .lI.o, loo
which he says belonged to the old Federal party,
10 the practices of Mr.. Van Buren, and his par
", and, sir, he will find that Mr.. Van Buren,
practices at least upon the principle Of the old
Federal party In other words, that he and his
party have contributed to an alarming extent 10
build up ian energetic and powerful central
government, far beyond the thoughts or hopes Of
the old Federalists.
Look at the immense increase OF Executive
patronage, which, under this and the preceding
administration, has increased to an extent alarm
INC 10 every true patriot
Look at that mighty host of public officers,
who, under the practice Of this administration,
Of prescription for opinions sake, and that other
that "the spoils belong 10 the victors," have be
come the mere creatures of the President, the
palace slaves TO do his bidding. See them scat
tered throughout this great Republic, and thus
stimulated by the hopes Of reward or the fear Of
punishment, becoming the mere partIzans OF the
President, interfering with elections, and en-
deavorng TO control public sentiment. Look al
their number, their talents and influence, and
say whether the practice of the President q
which | have alluded is not calculated to bull
up a powerful and energetic central govern
ment"
Again, look al the enormous increase Of the
expenses of this Government under the ADM
nlstration Of Mr.. Van Buren,; the prodigal vast,
Of the public money which has been scattered b,
The President, in a manner that should stir NJ
the soul of this whole community, and which
ought to satisfy even my colleague that Mr.. Var