The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22

The member from Hamilton spoke, much Q
" Federal paffy," and .Federaiisfs" lie ap
peared to consider the term as reproach L
every person and party TO whom he applied IT.
This scaling Of names" Mr. Chairman, re
minds me of my school-boy days. AT that pc
Rod, if any two urchins happened to "fa out,
it became matter Of strife 10 see which should
call the other BY the hardest name. This prac.
tee, however, was not resorted 10 when the as
sailant could find any thing more substantial
with which to reproach his adversary. II the
fellow had ever done any thing wrong, he was
told of it at once. But if he had always con-
Quoted himself honorably then, sir, he was as
saulted with most terrible names.
II the member from Hamilton can find nothing
else wherewith TO assail the Wing party than
mere names, do not know that shall object to
his using them at any time which may suit his
whim. There is no accounting for the fancy OF
individuals. | understand the member himself
10 have descended troma veryrespectabe Scotch
divine, who, am told, was a Federdist during
the late war can only speak from niorma-
itn; and, as the member is not in his seat
am denied the privilege of putting any inquiry
to him on the subject. My information, how
ever comes from a source entitled to credit. |
suppose him to have been educated by a Federdl
father. He now acts with Messrs Buoh anan,
Wall, Williams, and Hubbard, of the Senate,
and with many very honorable members of this
House, all of whom regarded as leaders OF
his party, and who, in days of Federalism, were
always considered ''hish-foaed Federaiists"
Yet the member appeared TO have a sort of whim
which prompted him TO call the whole party
with which he acts g Democrats" while he
spoke OF Messrs. Clay, Crittenden, Rives, Tall
madge, White, and other Wings of the two
Houses'of Congress, as "Eederalists,'' in com
mon with all who sustain General Harrison for
the Presidency Now, sir, shall make but a
very brief answer TO the remarks of the member
about Federdiists aud Democrats. The tern
"F'ederdiisfs" was originally adopted by hos,
who were in favor of the " Confederation Of III
States" II was afterwards applied TO those wht
were IN favor OF bestowing large powers upor
the General Government in preference 10 the
State Governments and in time il was extended
10 embrace all who were in favor of increasine
Hepowers and PATRONAGE of Government and
Government officers. About the year 1898 the
term "Democrat" took its rise in this country
Al first it was understood in its most unlimited
sense. II was supposed to refer to the Jacobin
Ism Of France and as expressive Of the princi
pie that the proper government was the popular
voice unrestrained by Constitution or law In
time it came to be understood as descriptive o.
those politicians who were in favor of retaining
IN the hands of the People all powers not ubso
tuieiy necessary to be delegated for the purpose
Of sustaining the Government
After the close Of the war; when Mr.. Monroe
came into power, the Federal party was dis
banded The strength Of the Federal Govern
ment had been fully tested and it had beer
found adequate to all emergencies The mem
bers of the Federal party were afterwards ar
ranged on both sides of all political questions
Such was also the case with the Democrats
Both parties then lost their identity. They
were succeeded by Adams men, Clay men, ant
Crawford men After the election of the younge
Adams they We're characterized as Adams mel
and Jackson men, and in time these terms CAV,
way to those of "Hhig" and administration
men" Among the former and among the latte
are to be found Federalists, Democrats, Clay
men. Adams men, Jackson men. and Crawford
men. do not, therefore, myself, perceive the
proprey of attempting To attach the name o
"FederdF TO either of the present political par
ties, Yet, as the Government organ and the
member from Hamilton in the constant ha
bit of attempting to characterize the Wing party
as the Federal party, perhaps we might as wei
look TO the definitions have alluded to, and ties
the character Of the parties by their acts dno
rotes Which of the present political partie:
has, for the last twelve years. been found on tn,
side OF the People aud which has been en-
gagged IN strengthening the Federal Executive
anu 'iie r'ueIu government Inc people, Dl
their constitutional representatives. passed tn,
bill for making the Maysvile road. and Gen
Jackson disregarding the voice of the Pcople
vetoed il. Who sustained him, and who wer,
found on the side of the People, When tn,
People said they desired recharter of tn,
United States Bank and General Jackson sal,
he was opposed TO it, who were found sustaining
the Executive, and who Were with the People
When the Federal Executive, in defiance of tn
People dismissed from Office man who refuse,
TO be subservient TO his will, without regard tt
the voice of the nation, and usurped TO himsel
powers never before claimed by any President
and denied the right of Congress TO control tn,
funds of the nation who, then, were the Demo
Gratis that supported the rights of the People
and who were the Federdhsfs that supporte,
the usurpations of the Executive When Con
gress, as the constitutional organ Of the nation
passed law for restoring the deposites, and thu
Federal Executive disregarded the action o
Congress entirely, and neither approved nor re
turned the BILL as by the Constitution he Wa
bound TO do where were the Democrats ant
where the FederalistS The Federal Execu
tive has three times recommended the passag,
Of the Sub-treasury bill The people have thre,
times rejected the measure. II IS again urqet
and sustained in accordance with the Fxecutiy,
wish, and in total disregard of the voice of IN,
People OF these States. Who now sustain tn,
Executive will, and who obey the Peoples voice