The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-07
From The Charleston Courier.
DINNER TO GEN. WADDY THOMPSON,
IN PITTSYLVANIA

From the Charleston Courier,
DINNER TO GEN. WADDY THOMPSON,
IN PITTSYLvANIA.
The Wings of Pittsyvania, some time since, in
yited VIM, G. Preston and Gen, Thompson to pub
lie dinner To be given in Danyille Immediately after
the adjournment of Congress. Gen, Thompson has
accepted the invitation and large number of distn-
guished gentlemen have been invited TO attend.
MIR. Preston, from private engagements, was com
PEELED 10 decline, We subjoin his letter in reply to
the invitation of the Committee
Mr.. Prestons Reply
WAsHiScToN May -, 1910
Gentlemen-l beg you to accept my grateful
acknowledgements for the kind terms in which you
have communicated to me the proceedings of the
Wings of Pittsyvania, in relation to my colleague,
Gen Thompson; and myself sincerely regret that it
in my power avail myself of the occasion you
propose, 10 express the Wings of Ptsyvania in per-
son, the high sense entertain of the favorable view
they have taken of my political conduct Their APP
probation is grateful to me, and strengthens my
conviction that my opposition to the ruling party is
dictated by Just view of all the wide interests of
common country, well of those peculiar 10
our own section.
From my first entrance into political life, have re-
garded the dominion OF that party most disastrous
the country and all experience of its has
confirmed the accuracy of this estimate The princi
pies upon which it is organized, and the spirit by
which il Is animated, are not only inconsistent with
lnt our COUNTY, ypui threatening 70 our
political existence The primary principle fthe party
is that the Erecure is the Democratic branch Of this
Government in which all its powers to be accu-
mulated, and upon which they have thrown mass of
powers of the most alarming magnitude which they
yet struggle to increase by the most daring means
After indicating the late President for forcible
seizure of the public treasure and cxpungng from the
records of the Senate its of the act the pre-
sent Administration follow up the principle, by pro-
posing that law shall be enacted to confde the
tn,l, Of rtt,sfN
care Again and again the country reject the propo-
son, but in vain--Exccutive patronage and the drill
of party, force on the measure, and the public purse
is about be delivered into the hands of the Execu
tive AT the moment of this consummaton, he de-
mands the sword also and sends to Congress through
his Secretary of War proposition to place under his
control a military force which might serve the purposes
Of France and Austria Such measures few years
since would have startled the country but the Demo
cratic accumulation of Executive power has familiarized
mems minds to these events and brought dcnuncia-
tons upon those who lift up their voice against them
as Federaists, Cotemporaneously with these great
and fearful measures the expenditure of public
money through the hands of the Executive has been
increased from l3 to 80 millions of dollars and to
tain and conceal this prodigaty the device of emitting
Treasury notes has been resorted to, ordinary
part Of the policy of the Government The Const-
tuition itself was supposed by of the earliest pa
rios of Virginia to admit of dangerous conbina
ton of the sword and the purse What would those
patriots have thought of the proposed financial and
military system
But dangerous as these principles and projects are,
they not in themselves much the spirit and
temper in which they urged, II is all per
vadng spirit of destruction aiming at the prostration
Of all established institutions and the dsorganization
OF the whole machinery of society. 1t pulls down
and brushes every thng- has assaulted State Banks
and the States themselves il has tramped under foot
the currency, the credit the commerce and the agr-
| culture of the country. This party into power
to preside over most happy and prosperous people,
enjoying the rich rewards of multiiarlous industry
a sound currency, established credit, wide and
ilourshlng commerce, general opulence; and now
this party prcsides country embarrassed
and broken down. With a hardihood of sclfcom-
paeency characteristic of itself it promised from time
TO time as DESTROYED what existed to build up what
should be better and in turn IT pulled down its ia
brics. II has deyoured its progcny---t has de-
moished its own handiwork and vet calls for the con
fidcncc OF the country, in its new empiricisms When
VIC look around upon the ruin and desolation of the
country-the scene seems TO me to demand a change
of the dynasty change at all hazards--d change
In the effort which the Wing party is now making
to effect that change, by putting Gen Harrison in the
Executive chair, have presented to us gentleman
whose birth education public services character and
talents guaranty better administration of the Gov
crnmcnt lie was born ofthe best revolutionary blood
lie held commissions under the signature of w ashng
ton, Jefferson and Madison His public services
have received the signal approval of many State Gov
ernments--of every department Of this Government
and have become portions of history and although
ruthless spirit of party would erpunge it the past at
least is beyond its power All the past bears tcstimo
ny in favor Of Gen. Harrison lie is not presented
to us under the paterna auspices Of powerful Presi
dent He is not the obscure recipient of ycarious.
popularity. He is not the nominee of a dictator
The wants and wishes Of his country have sought
him in his retirement and presented him for our suf
trages-not urged upon by mcrccnary office hold
ers by the power of money patronage, hut recon-
mcnded by his virtues, his talents and his services
all
me more pleasure than TO have discussed these topics
with YOU, but my engagements here, and these being
terminated my engagements at home imperiously deny
me that pleasure for the present am not without
-
more meaning word ricdrious instead of various
which Is printed in the copy before us-[Ed Mad