The Madisonian., 1840-01-25

i
On motion Of Samuel II Clark, the following com.
mtlue appointed to drait resolutions expressive
/ the sense Of the meeting VIZ
John A. Fisher, Isaac Updegrove, Daniel A. Kepner.
Henry Omit Christian Orendori, Andrew NJ Coy, , T.
I.ebrlch, Henry PETER, DR. William Houtz, Benjamin
Furgnson. John Hoffman, Jos. Miller, Esq
On notion n s Elliott, Wedner Boyer. r X
Schwartz, Isaac @. Updegrove. and Samuel II Clark
were appointed 60 for and bring IN the log cabin
OF Gen Harrison who accordingly performed that
duty.
Frederick Fraley, Esq Of Philadelphia, and George
Darsie Esq Of Phtsburg, called upon and elo-
/ quently addressed the meeting.
Mr. Fisher. from the committee TO prepare proceed
ings, reported the following
Assembled as we have, for the purpose Of expressing
appreciation Of the nominations made by the late
|. Democratic National Convention, Of General William
Henry HARRISON Of ONO, the candidate for President,
aud John Tyler. Of Virginia, for Vice President OF the
United States, IN opposnlon TO the present incumbens
lit may be expected OF US to make known by public
declaration the principles that have actuated us TO unite
in opposition to those who administer the Govern
men Of this great and prosperous aud furnishing
people; well the reasons that prompt us TO The
support Of candidates, and the motives that impel
cccord TO them our hearty, cordial and united con-
fdence aud support.
. Ii is in spirit of unkindness (as has been well
said BY brethren in sister Sate) those who ho-
nesy dfer iiom Us opinion, Of reflection on their
!
ninent grounds Of dissent from the principles and
measures Of the present administration, complain Of
the disasters they have brought upon the country Our
purpose is TO Justify opposition, by candid appeal
10 the people, setting forth the motives by which
guided, AID the purposes at which we aim"
Reveencng the Constitution the great charter of
CIVIL religious and political freedom, aud veneratIng
It's provisions rich legacy secured TO US by the tolls,
pvaons and blood Of revolutionary ancestors, we
cannot reflect without feelings Of alarming iorebodngs
to the consequences that inevitably and neces-
sary result from the high handed nfrac,ions and dam
gcrous innovations of that ark of political safety,
conceived and pracsed by those who now administer
the destnes Of this great naon aud the happiness and
welfare OF her citizens.
Among the many prominent grounds Of our opposi-
ton 10 the present administration, we enuncrate as
worthy OF notice, and serious consideration
The alarming extension OF the veto power by which
not only the ordinary maIofes OF the Legislature have
been frequently ruled but 10y which, also ma
Jores Of wohirds OF each House OF Congress have
been defeated Of their rghtfu effect
We object to the augmentation Of Executive inhu-
which has by successive endeavors drawn within
It's grasp formidable amount Of power
First, by the active and perseveriEg participation OF
the Executive IN the elections
Second, by the practical well the theoretical
sumption by the President, Of the Iresponsbihiy oi
himself and his rabnet the National Legislature, and
by his virtual denial Of the right Of
Congress examine the public records.
Ihrd by his preence OF right to protect all Execu
tive officers OF Government from the scrutiny OF Con-
gress. ground Of their accountability to him
his agents and,
Fourth, by his assumption of right to hold the pub
lie treasure exclusively IN has custody or the custo
dy Of those he may appoint
We denounce as ntirepublcan and dangerous in
the extreme, g the doctrine lately promulgated, that
Congress may guard the free exercise OF the elective
right from Executive control and influence, by prohibit
ing the officers OF the Government from interfering with
the popular elections beyond the due and orderly
c.e Of their rgh, Of suffrage" And we adopt aud
the sentiments OF Thomas Jefferson upon this sub
ect, and IN his language say, Freedom OF election
being essential the mutual independence Of govern
ment and Of the different branches of the govern
ment so vi,ay cherished by Of Constitutions,
is deemed improper for officers depending upon the
Executive Of the Union attempt to control or infu
ence the free exercise Of the elective right IL rs er-
peeted that officer wM attempt 10 influence The roes
Of other take any part IN the businesso ELEc-
TIoNEERlNG-thdt being deemed inconsistent a0ih THE
SPIRIT CONSTITUTION MS DUTIES"
And we denounce the action Of the present admins-
traton and its officers this subject, an,democra
tic corrupt and demorazlng; for in coniraventon Of
those principles Of the father Of true democracy not
only have the friend, of the present dominant party
Gently denied the r,e leg,slatc the subject, but
have boldly maintained the privilege and the obligation
of office holders to become acfiUe agents IN The control
Of The eieetoas-an obligation Of which they have not
! been slow TO acquit themselves
In these doctrines we see wide departure from the
purity, simplicity and dmecness OF purpose which emf
nenty distinguish the former administrations OF this 60
vernment. We in them fearful accumulation Of
prerogaive the hands of the President calculated per-
manently disturb the Just balance between the Exc
euve aud the Legislature and which, while 1t magnfes
the authority of the alarming extent, n the
degree depresses the heahfu energy Of the other
aud dcgrades in the respect Of the people Such nno
vaons hold to be destructive Of the only democratic
features OF the Constitution, and calculated to raise up
and maintain corrupt official arstocracy.
We complain that old established systems OF po-
Icy have been comoeed to give way succession of
crude expediens, and that the valuable interests
Of the nation have been brought into peril by the adop
ton of rash and visionary political experiments, We
complain that the solemn pledges upon which this party
have into power have been violated without
morse and without preiext-o many progercd 10
The people the OF its accession TO power,
aware 81 thai hacc been redeemed, We complain
of the wastefu cx,raysgance and prodagaty by which
this party have than doubled the national expend
lures.
We have seen the whole mass of national indus.
4 try shaken distressed and almost overwhelmed by
the constantly recurring disorders in the relations
! OF the currency. We have witnessed in the space
| OF half the term in which that party have had the
control of public affairs the Stale Banks, under The
stimulus Of Erccutire aetio, increased in number
and capital mare than they had been in all tte preui
Gus etiachce of Hc g0rcrHmeat and not only de6aSng
the money circulation By their excessive issues, but
communicating he most ntschtcrouS impulse 10 The
| spir.i of speculation and adventure.
| We have especially seen this brood Of recent Gre
! ationS spreading over our states like an Egyp
tian plague and where The Administration have had
| the largest stray, overwhelming the prosperity oi
some Of the ftrest regions of our land. Nor have
those who brought these evils upon the people, the
poor excuse OF having been taken by surprise n this
result With extraordinary foresight and accuracy
of prediction did the wseSl men in the nation admo
ni,h and ,orewarn them, in the beginning, OF the