The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-02

4
philosophy, that Of currency is most abs,rus.
and occult. The student, from youth TO mellow
age, mas not to bestow more profound examina
ton and critical research into the laws of nature
which regulate the subtle fluids of the physica
Dody, IMAM the statesman 10 examine the laws
Of the circulation Of the medium of exchange
which gives life and vigor to the political. Ii i:
The absence Of this necessary information and
knowledge in the executive head, which is pro
claimed In sad and living proof in the general
disirust and ruin which have afflicted the whole
people for many years.
But not alone in the ignorance Of the Execu.
1--WE can the causes be traced, but also in its
wees. And here will take occasion 10 express
my dissent from doctrine laid down by the
gentleman from Georgia, (Mr. Colquitt,) who
has preceded me. He stated that il was OF no
consequence to the people or the, public who ad-
ministered the Government, so the Government
was well administered. totally deny, and the
voice OF the whole nation, in their complaints,
bear testimony in my favor, that the Govern
ment is well administered. And | totally repu-
date the doctrine that il is useless to inquire
who are our governors, so that we are well GO
verned Sir, it is the doctrine of royalty--it is
the maxim of monarchies. 1t is new version
and varied application of anti-republican and
heterodox sentiment Of the poet
For forms OF government let fools contest,
Whateer is best administered is best"
II Is the first principle Of the doctrine of pas
siye obedience, and is a sentiment TO lull all
scrutiny into men and their motives Of action
into sleep; when, on the contrary, the maxim OF
liberty is eternal vigilance in the people over
their officers-their public servants--as price
OF its possession. II is impossible for sound
measures to be recommended and adopted ex-
cept those from whom they emanate, and who
are to sustain them, are virtuous, intelligent,
and patriotic. Where there is an absence OF
moral character, there is an absence of political
honesty. When vice takes possession Of the
heart knavery will of the head. Public men
should be as rigidly scrutinized as their mea-
sures.
Why, if the gentleman is correct in that sen
timent, he had well tell us that il is useless in
a congregation to scrutinize the conduct Of their
parson, if he but preach good sermon and lee
lures soundly on religious principles. His pre-
cepts are all that the people should inquire into
and the obliquity Of his private life should not
be complained Of Let him indulge in every
vice that debases the heart. Let him commit
every enormity which evil inclination can in
vent and outrage IN private every sentiment OF
morality and principle Of religion, the people
should not murmur, but should listen to his elo-
quent advice and enthusiastic lectures from the
pulpit
The next step in the doctrine would be 10 arm
public functionaries with immunity, by the man
tie OF office, from structures, and then there
would be but one other step Of degradation Of
the people-to make il punishable to find faul,
with those who are exalted in Office. 1t has
been rule Of my political life to war upon cor
ruption and abuses, in State and Federal Gov
ernments, regardless of party or persons ! have
done so in this Hall, when threatened assassina-
tons skulked with stealthy steps around this
Capitol, and the boldest Of General Jackson's
friends held their places in this Hall to intimi-
date, when they could, full and free criticism on
the conduct of the officers Of his appointment
maintain, Mr.. Chairman, that the want OF
character, the want Of knowledge, and the want
Of honor and virtue in our public functionaries,
is the primary cause Of oil the evils which op
press the people. Look at Mr.. Van Buren, and
his Cabinet. There is not one of them all who
possesses second-rate talents, and not one that
possesses any other principle of action than sell
ishness and crnging lust of Office and lucre.
And Miss Marineau must have alluded to Mr..
Van Buren's cabinet councils when she said that
the school of ignorance is the innermost court
of Bedlam."
Mr.. Van Buren, will tolerate no one near him
unless he is sycophant and ductile tool. His
doctrine is that Of Sir Robert Wapole, that his
most useful supporters are those who can be
bought; and TO support his administration, men
and newspapers should be purchased. ''How
happens il, )" says Walpole, "that no one contra
diets me or beats me at billiards except Doctor
Monsey ~ "They get places" replied the
Doctor: 81 am thought an honest fellow, and
get an invitation to dinner" Mr. Van Buren, is
impatient of contradiction, and his friends know
it and all his boisterous supporters prefer places
to an invitation to dinner.
The only difference between the two remark
able personages is in their intellect. Walpole
has written things worth being read, and said
things worth being remembered; whilst MIR.
Van Buren, has never done either. Bribery Is
the price with which both have sustained them
selves, and the public treasury and public Offices
have been the exchequer which has furnished
both with the means of payment
Mr.. Van Buren, has not studied the characters
of the prominent men of his own party, in rela-
ton to their intelligence public spirit, and fitness
for office, so as to select the best as his counsel
lor,, but to discard those Of most honor, or to
tantalize them with hope Of place, which they
have never got or will get, in order to retain
them in service whilst he has carefully selected
the most prohgate of his friends for most OF the
distinguished places within his immense pa
tronage.
He also, like the famous Duke of Wharton,
who was Lord Lieutenant Of Ireland in the reign
of Queen Anne and whose deception and hy-
pocrisy have been made notorious by the caustic
pen of Dean Swift, promises the virtuous office,
not to redeem the pledge; and like the duke,
has personal reasons for noncompliance, If he
has more prudence not to avow them. This no
bleman constantly professed great esteem for the
dean of ST. Patricks but his professions were
false and his activity and interest generally ex-
erted to the injury rather than the benefit OF the
man whom he hattered but could not deceive.
On one occasion, his deviation from solemn
promise he had made being detected, in man
ner too palpable or gross to escape observation,
or admit etherapology or evasion, he exclaimed,
with emphasis, to one of his loose associates IN
the hearing of the exasperated priest, who forgot
the implied compliment but never forgave the
injury, ave have not enough character or Inn