The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-07
A GOOD LETTER FROM THE ELOQUENT
LEGARE
CHARLESTON, July II, IofU'

A GOOD LETTER FROM THE ELOQUENT
LEGARE
CnAaIrsros, July ~ 1910.
| GENTLEMEN should be very happy to accept ths
invitation have had the honor TO receive, TO Ia
thcrng ofthe people Of Spoisysania and me o. the
adjoining counties at Fredericksburg, on Friday (Juy
| I7th) next, but circumstances forbid H. .
| Gentlemen On this, as every similar occasion
great multtudes cannot act together "i'nou' eonipo
mise and accommodation on similar points, with .
view 10 carry important ones. Yet, In my OPT
Mon there is no question likely TO take practical
shape and be made the subject OF serious discussion
within the next four years, on which old party dher
ences will be revived The opinion of the country
seems to be entirely made up to the inexpediency-
TO say nothing OF the unconstuionaliy-ot what are
called Internal improvements according TO the plans
projected under Mr. Monroes Administration. All
parties equally willing 10 abide by the Compro-
mise iri 10 duties on imposis. As To the Aboll-
tionsis no candid man will deny that Gen. Harrison !
professions upon that subject TO the full as large
and satisfactory Mr.. Van Burens, and that ms
past conduct furnishes pledges which we may more
securely rey-and ! difference between the
parties in this respect. The single issue presented NY
the Government is the hard money system and the
withdrawing of their deposites from the uses o. Com
merce and the custody OF Banks
Were tins measure even desirable It's advocates
pretend il is and for one think il Is very far IRON
being it would make no difference at all IN my views
of the Presidential election
That the currency this country Is IN condition
thai calls for most serious attention hat IS al
together of the most difficult problems when re-
main to be solved by science and experience, have
never pretended 10 DENY the contrary II Is because
Of this very difficulty and Importance Of the subject
that protested against its being made party ques-
ton to be managed by demagogues with view 10
Iniame the preudices of the people, instead OF be ng
disposed Of by statesmen with view to Their real m
teIcsts.
But Mev trouLd have il So il necessary to
CANNON the Wings" said somebody. They had
been once gammoned" by playing quite the opposite
game by scattering the immense dcposites OF nation
out of debt, and prosperous beyond example, among
hundreds wasn't I'D of State banks scores certainly
with orders 10 lavish them upon their customers
They got the nation drunk with the spirit OF specula
ton, and disturbed, while they multiplied INFINITELY,
the relations OF debtor and creditor and those OF ven
dor ncumbranccr and holders ofproperty, No sooner
did they the terrible consequences othls roisaie
gaIne--not the Wings, whom they had, however,
" gammoneda very completely but on the property,
the commerce, the morals and the wel-being OF the
country and especially of its industrious classes and
that vehement Indignation against the authors OF all
this evil was likely TO be awakened in the public mind,
than they had attempted 10 make the very banks which
they had seduced the scape goat of this odium and
the first and the loudest in the cry against the
victims of their perfidious debauchery
They had carried their point once by sending out
into the highwa to compel the blind, the halt, and
the lame, TO come in and borrow of their Pet Banks
as they are called
neN HOlr pronounce all trading Whatever, on Dor
rowed capital, fraudulent and criminal
They had used the State Banks-or rather abused
themas artillery against the United States Bank, as
surng their friends that nothing could be safer than
these engines, WHICH they were loading TO the muzzle
and heating even 10 burning-an when, at the close
of victorious action, they all burst their hands
was of course inesitabe-they denounce the whole
system as under the best management, deesablc,
and propose for ianatical clamorous party support
one inconsistent with all our previous habits, and OF
the successful operation of which, the only guaranty
they give is their total failure in all their previous
schemes.
Now gentlemen what say is that the true issue
is not whether this scheme is good bad, Indifferent
they fit 10 be trusted with the management of that
any other instrument that may prove powerful Tor
good or for evil
Are cabal who see in all the mighty interests of
societyn the morality the happiness the destinics of
great nation, only the means of carrying the next
election TO be trusted under any circumstances with
the administration OF the Government
The financial aspect of this measure, important as it
is is as YOU know but subordinate consideration
Its political tendency is the point TO which public at
tenon, especially in Virginia, ought TO be seriously
awakened 1t IL, in this respect in perfect keeping
with all the rest Of their policy their system of rapine
and spoliaon their abject submssiyeness in regard to
popular dcmagogues, their despotism, intolerance and
inqustoral espionage in respect to the great body of
their Office holders,-thei of determination, de-
clarcd against the Independence of the Legislature
cence among public men, of freedom Of thought man
illness of conduct, elevation of sentiment In put
ting another instrument ofsuch power into their hands
shall shut our eyes to It's visible tendency to
strengthen and arm that Executive authority which, as
hope for salvation, declare TO YOU to be, in my OPT
Mon far more callous, ntoleran nsolent and unscru
puous than that of any constitutional monarchy am
acquainted with Some people write from France
that NJ. Theirs and his party wish to reduce Louis
Philippe to the condition OF President OF the nlied
States. 1t is Just the contrary Louis Philippe wishes
for nothing better than just to govern like the Pres
dent of the United States, in spite of parliamentary
maiortes whereas NJ Theirs & Co. think he ought
sponsblc ministers, who shall 70 out whenever there
majority against them in the Chamber of Deputies.
Louis Philippe would give his whole civil list for the
privilege Of Keeping Woodbury. in office for years
against obstinate majorities, and at last bringing the
Legislature down upon its knees before his throne -
Then, indeed would he be every inch king
As to the slang about republican party, it
is too dcspicable ialacy 10 be worth replying to-
Don't talk to me of Mr.. Van Buren's professions
look 10 the record. To say nothing of the Missouri
Question and the Tariff of Is let him put his finger
upon any expenditure of public money, for local pur-
poses that he has either directly or indirectly opposed
Look at the yeas and nays. See how his friends vote
on the Cumberland Road and Harbor bills &c. 1t is
time these old scare were taken down-they
out-and il is indecent to treat the people il
they still in their nursery.
must apologize gentlemen, for the length to which
this scraw is out and beg you to receive the as
surance of the distinguished consideration with which
have the honor To he,
Your obliged aud obedient servant
III S. LEGARE,
To Messrs Hugh Mercer, SC,
Committee of Invitation.
AMONG the reckless SANDERS uttered against