The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-16

WILL Win raasc,ed face over which the pallor Of
fear seemed 10 creep faster than Phlosnfay could
wh;s,le courage back. Az, gentlemen, in every |
form Issi 10 rs. the citizens OF the District Of
Columbia have condemned the administration Of
Martin Van Buren, II the decision OF the con,
test rested with US, the party In power snoui9
withdraw from the Offices they nave Pevened
and abused. with as much speed as would be
CONSTANT with decency and safety TO the public
archives. think do not over-estlmate, when
tell YOU that if we had votes TO give, full nine
een-twentieths of the people OF the District
would array themselves against this administra-
ton at the polls Our position for observation
has many advantages over yours. We see and
hear the heads Of the ruling party daily: we
know their conduct and character--public, Prl-
vate, political, social, moral. In no point Of view
can the majority Of them receive our confidence
or affections They know it. Hence II is, that
they threaten to remove the seat of Government
to a more congenial atmosphere-an atmos-
phere, by the bye, if were to judge from this
assemblage, which is not TO be found IN the
limits of the Union Hence it is, that they
insult us with mock parades, got up at
charge upon some governmental emoluments--
hence it is, that they refuse TO legslate at all Tor
our benefit, but only for our injury and degrade
ton
Let me give you an illustration Of the way in
which democrats are sometimes received at the
White House. The other morning, poor fisher
man was passing the Presidents at about seven
O'Clock, on his way to his daily work on the
Potomac, and feeling curiosity to see the cele-
brated East Room, he stepped up and rang the
door bell. A servant in livery appeared, and no
sooner observed the appearance OF the vislter
than he slammed the door in his face, with the
remark that he had better 60 about his business.
The fisherman turned upon his heel, consoling
himself thus; s'never mind" I'm call next year,
shall find Old TYP up at o'clock IN the
morning, and the string Of the latch never pulled
in"
could tell you also, gentlemen, Of many
aggravating circumstances illustrative OF the
spirit Of loco-foco federalism in its influence
upon social relations, which know you wouldre-
gard as Just reasons for the odium in which many
leading partizans OF the Administration are
held by those Of the citizens of the District who
remain free and uncontaminated. ! could tell
YOU of men whose pillows are broken friend
ships and the peace of families destroyed" l
could tell you of scenes, which, lacking only
the coloring Of blood, would recally the darker
days of Venice-of practices, from which
Heliogabalus might learn lesson, though him
self prodigy in lcentiousness-of characters,
scarcely marked by any thing common to human
nature except its abstract deformities-of exhi-
billions of dupcity, envy malice, avarice, heart
lessness and injustice, which should put hui
mainly to the blush. could point you to rulers
without patriotism-to Office holders without
honesty or capacity--to Legislators without COM
mon knowledge or common sense. l could tell
you how ntrigues combinations, usurpations,
and bad examples have practically revolution
lied the Government-destroyed its freedom
perverted its uses, and brought about an unna-
tural and evil action. ! could tell you Of con-
sciences smothered, of tongues tied, and Of
minds upon which party terrorism has cap'd
the paddock" could tell you Of men who, de-
pending on Office for their bread, yet feel as
though they were under the espionage Of the
lnquisition-who feel constrained to pass their
best friend in the street, if he is in the OPPOSE
ton, unheeded, though not unseen-who will
creep steadily 10 your lodgings under the cover
Of night as though they were the slaves Of q
despot or the tools of an assassin. | could tell
You Of men, who like Peter, will deny those
whom they love to honor, and whose friendship
they closely cherish in secret-who, to evade
prescription, will hide paper, a letter, me-
mento, if those they cherish happen to differ in
political opinions from the Executive; indeed,
could demonstrate to you that man who is
connected with the Government is not free
man--not even to the extent OF subject Of
most of the monarchies of Europe. Few such
men may command our pty-none our appro-
braton-most deserve our contempt II is true,
when we recall the golden age of the Republic
when freedom and equality reigned throughout
our borders, and when morality and the courte-
sizes of social life, lent even grace and Zest to
political studies; and when we look abroad over
the country, and see how full of majesty and
beauty, how full of open channels for enterprise
and industry, and how Astounding with the re-
sources Of independence and happiness are the
wide limits OF our States, we are struck with
amazement that men should any where be found
supine enough to yield to such condition as
have described. But so il is, and such is really
the political atmosphere to which we are ex-
posed in the District of Columbia, according
TO the painful experience have had.
Felow-citizens, we look to you who have
votes to give, for change-and almost any
change would be relief We RELY confidently
upon the interrupted and unterrifed people Of
the country. We are certain that you are able,
and willing, and ready, to yindicate the charac-
ter OF American institutions, and to assert and
maintain the spirit Of liberty and the rights of
American citizens. Your cordial responses as
sure me that | have not mistaken the character
of my countrymen. | know of what ufrthose
who dwell in clog cabins" are made OF. NV
ancestors built their cabins among the forests
cleared by their own hands, unterrifed by the
swarthy descendants of Philip of Mount Hope,
who roamed the wilderness. Those log cabins
were their forts in war, and the nurseries Of
men and patriots In peace. AT the roar of the
cannon at Bunkers Hill, at Concord, Lexington,
Bennington, and Saratoga, those log cabins
poured forth the liberty boys who went up to bat
tie and to victory. My ancestors shared in the
tolls and trials Of the war, and brought up their
descendants in the lessons of tried patriotism,
and taught them TO respect and love those who.
like them and their Pilgrim fathers, would not
exchange their log cabins for a palace For
my own part, have cherished the injunction.
have lived many day and many night in
the log cabins Of the East, and of the far West.
and drank many cup of ''hard cider" by their
fresldes know who theirinmatesa are. They are
the real substance If their race Tbey ro ho,o.,