The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-23
the TRUt DEMOCRATIC RlpusIICAN TICKET,
A NEW MOVE OF AMOS KENDALL AND
HIS HIREI.INGS.

The Globe has exhausted its venom upon
Opposition members Of Congress for alleged
abuses OF the Thanking privilege The object
OF such unmerited abuse heaped upon such
members was apparent. Il was to draw public
attention from the real abusers of this privilege,
ana Tx II upon those who, in comparison Of the
Administration members have committed ex-
cesses IN the proportion Of one 10 thousand.
The Globe man raised great smoke as a cover
TO his ranking friends, under which they might
escape from the public gaze
This course is in perfect keeping with the
notions OF the old Federal party II was an
axiom with them, that the PEOPLE were their
own worst enemies" As deduction from this
position, II was thought proper that the people
should be kept in ignorance. Knowledge to
them would be an edged tool, dangerous TO
their well-being, because they would be ignorant
OF its use The attacks of the Globe on Oppo-
sltion members, for disseminating correct po-
litical information among the people here, were
prompted by the Federal party, in perfect ac-
cordance with the long cherished contempt of
the people, and from the just apprehension that
they, by reading and learning the causes Of the
wrongs with which they have been afflicted
by this Administration, would rise en- uasse
and hurl from power the men who have so wan
tonly and cruelty sported with their dearest in
terests. These attacks have been, indeed
aimed more at the PEOPLE than at MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS. For whose benefit was the ranking
privilege intended? Not for the advantage of
members of Congress. The People, through
their immediate Represen tatives, instituted it
for their own benefit And what is the practi-
cal operation? The constituent asks his re-
preventative for public documents, speeches, &c.
The representative feels bound to comply. He
buys, with his own MEANS such publications as
his constituents desire, and tolls many hours,
day and night, to serve them in the transmission.
The expense incurred, and the time consumed,
in ministering thus to the intellectual calls Of
the people are, by no means, inconsiderable.
The people justly appreciate them-and they
will not fail TO mark the course Of the Globe
warning against their rights and privileges, by
denying to them the advantages Of free circu-
ation of intelligence.
The Post Office, too, is brought into the aid
Of the Globe, in this crusade against the diffusion
Of light and truth. Every mail brings us letters
complaining Of abuses practised by the minions
Of Amos KENDALL man who stands before
the body Of the American People, as cuprit,
admitted to have been guilty Of an official false
hood, and an mpudent insult 10 the immediate
representatives Of the People in Congress-
What can the People expect from the deputy
post masters receiving their appointments from
such source but delinquency, seal breaking
and plundering the mails2 This paper has, here.
tofore, brought to the notice Of the public, many
instances of gross malconduct in the post mas
ters Generally, complaint is useless. The
Withholding Of letters and packets-the deten-
ton of them along the routes, and the violence
done to the seals--the contempt paid to franks,
only commend the deputies to the regard and
protection of Kendall, the real Post Master Ge-
neral.
But we took up our pen principally, 10 say that
a new mode of tactics has been resoited to, TO
cheat the people out of the political information
for which they are hungering and thirsting-
Packets, having on them the name of an Oppo-
stion Senator, and franked by the Secretary of
the Senate, are detained by the underlings of
KENDALL and probably by his order, and deli
very refused, unless upon the payment of 6t-
teen dollar posfdge!!! How is this2 II is
well known that the administration Senators
send off large packages, weighing from one to
three pounds under the frank Of the Secretary
There was seen, a few days since, in the folding
room of the Senate, large bag full of these
packets with the name of THos. Fl. BENTON on
them, and ranked by the Secretary. Most Of
the Administration Senators, we believe, do the
same. There were seen, also, bundles of the
Albany Argus Extra, in the same room, put IN
in like packets, awaiting the frank of the Sc
cretary.
There is no complaint Of the non delivery of
these packets. The post masters, with but few
exceptions, are Loco Foco Federalists-the
tools of Kendall, and the executors of his dirty
work. To them, the name of the Missouri Hum
bugger, or any other Federal Senator, is a sufi-
cient indication that the packets contain moth
ing not sanctioned by the unprincipled twins Of
the Billingsgate Globe. Not so with the Secre-
tary's franks on the authority of the name of a
Republican Senator. The grasp Of Kendall's
under-strappers is fixed upon them, not to be
relinquishcd unless by a fee of $751;! How
long will the American People submit to this
course of proceedings, equally illegal and nfa-
nous? Will they submit that one set of Sena-
tors shall have rights and privileges for the be-
neft Of one set of politicians, which are denied
10 another set2 Their voices in November mex
will resolve the question.
Abuse of the Thanking privilege indeed =