The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-27
REPORTED BY ARTHUR ]. srANsBuRY AND HENRY O.
WHEELER.

viRoINiANs The wisdom Of our fathers has sstab-
lished for us Constitution Of Government which en-
abes Inc to appear here to-day and address you
my Jeftop,eizens, Cheering and half century OF
experience has shown how useful 10 our common inte-
resi-, how conducive TO common renown and glory,
Is thai Constitution by which we have been united
desire to pay due honor to those llustrous men who
made us--the children Of those who fell at Bunker
nm and forktown-members Of the political
family tied together by the common destiny and
awaiting the common prosperity or common adj
versity IN all time to Il is the extraordinary
nature OF the times united with long cherished de-
SIRE TO visit Virginia, which has occasioned the
Pissso,f enjoy Of being in the midst Of you all 70,
hearing you than of speaking TO you myself Ihaye
come to mInge myself among YOU listen TO the words
OF your wise and patriotic men that may improve
my own patriotic feeling by communication with the
chvarous spirits OF this ancient Dominion CHEERS
But nasmuch there are, or may be- some questions
OF national policy Of constitutional power which
you and differ, there amiable persons who
are SO very consideae of your reputation and Of my
reputation as 10 signify that they esteem il great
breach ofproprety that you should invite me to come
here or that should accept your invitation. Loud
laughter and cheering, mingled with cries of well
come, welcome.''l Let hope that these amiable
persons will alay their fears.
II there be any question questions which you
and differ in opinion those questions not to be
the topics of discussion to-day. No! We are not
quite soft enough for that. [Laughter.) While in
the presence of common enemy, who is armed TO the
teeth against BOTH and putting forth as many hands
as Briareus to destroy what we think it most mpor-
tan to preserve does he imagine that at such mo-
ment we shall be carrying family controversial
That we are going to give ourselves those blows which
are due to him No; regarding him as the enemy Of
our country, we mean to pursue him till we bring him
to captuation or to fight and when rs hare done
that II there any differences of opinion among u.s.
we will try to settle them ourselves, without his ad-
vice or assistance laughter and we will settle them
IN spirit OF cancellation and mutual kindness. five
do differ in any Of views settle that diff
ference, not in spirit Of evaporation, but with mode
'ration--with forbearance-in a spirit Of amity and
brotherhood.
i is in my life to find myself on the soil Of
Virginia addressing such assembagc is now be-
fore me- feel it to be such deeply feel the respon-
sbty Of the part which has this day been thrown up
on me. But although il is the first time have nd-
dressed. an assembly of my fellow citizens upon the
soil of Virginia, ! hope | am not altogether unac-
quainted with the history, character and sentiments
| of this venerable State The topics which are
agating the country. and which have brought all
mere to-day have no relation whatever with those in
which differ from the opinions she has ever enter
tanned. The grievances and the mis-goyernmen,
which have reused the country pertain that class
subjects which especially and peculiarly belong Vir-
gnia and have from the very beginning of our histo
ry. | know something Of the community amidst
which l stand its distinguished and ardent attach
ment 70 civil liberty and its habit for political disqui-
| ston. know that the landholders Of Virginia are
competent from their education and their leisure, to
discuss political questions in their elements and to
look at Government in its tendencies well in the
measures il may at present pursue There is sleep
less suspicion vigilant jealousy Of power especially
OF Executive power, which for three-quarters Of
tury has marked the character the people Of the Old
Dominion: and if have any right conception Of the
evils Of the time of the true objection to the mea
sures Of the present Administration u.s. that they
Of such kind to expose them in an especial man
ne to that sleepess jealousy that stern republican
scrutiny that acute and astute inspection which have
distinguished the present they have all preceding
generations of men in this ancient Commonwea -
Allowing this to be SO, let present to you my own
view Of the present aspect Of our public affairs.
In my opinion, decisive majority of all the People
of the United States have been era years past
opposed to the policy Of the existing Administration.
shall assume this in what have further to say be-
cause believe it to be true; and believe that events
are on the wing, and will soon take place, which
will proclaim the truth of that position and will
show vote Of three fourths of the votes of the
electoral colleges in favor Of CHANGE OF MEN
[Cheers and strong marks Of assent Taking this
for the present the true state of political feeling and
opinion, next call your attention to the fact Of the
very extraordinary excitement of agitation and had
almost said Of commotion, which marks the present
moment throughout every part Of the land. Why are
these vast assemblages every where congregated 7
Why, for example, am here, five hundred miles from
my own place Of residence to address such an assem
blage Of Virginans political subjects And why
does every day, in every State witness something of
similar kind Has this ever been the case before Z
Certainly not in time, and only in the time
of our fathers There are some present here who wit
| messed and there others who have learned from
the lips of their parents, the state of feeling which
existed in TIA and l775 before the resort to arms
had to effect the objects Of the Revolution. speak
now Of the time when Patrick Henry, standing, we
do in the open air addressing the Virgnians
of that day. while at the same moment James Otis
and his associates were making the rousng APP
peal to the people of Massachusetts, Loud cheering
From that time to this there has been nothing in any
degree resembling what we behold This gene
raj earnestness this universal of all men in
public affairs, witnessed for the first time since
the Revolution. Do not men abandon their fields in
the midst Of seedtmedo they not leave their various
occupations, as you have done, to attend TO mat
tiers which they deem more Important And is il not
through all classes Of our citizens all over the whole
land Now the important question wish to put is
this, and put il question fit for the mind of the
statesmen of Virginia-l propose it, with all respect
to the deep deiberaon and reflection Of every patr
otto throughout the country-t is this Ii it be
true that majority Of the people ofthe United States
have, for years. been opposed in sentiment the
policy Of the present Administration, irhy is IL
sary that these extraordinary efforts should be put
forth to turn that Administration out of power and to
put better men in their pacesl We inhabit free
country-every Office Of public trust is in hands,
Mt the disposal of the Peoples sufrages all pub
lie concerns are controlled and managed by them, at
their own pleasure; and the trust has always been to
the balotbox as an efectual means to keep the Gov
eminent at all times in conformity with the public will
How, then, has it happened that, with all this such
extraordinary efforts have been necessary to put
particular Administration Why has it not been
done by the silent power Of the elective franchise
why has not the Government been changed both in
its policy and in the men who administer it Idesirc
from the free, the thinking men of Virginia,
to that question. When the elections every where
showing that large majority Of the People oppo-
sed in sentiment to the existing Administration de-
sire them to tell me how that Administration has held
its place and pursued its own peculiar system Of
surcs SO long
My answer omy own question is this In my judg-