The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-18
THE WING ADDRESS.

THE WING ADDRESS.
Caucus, as we did Mr.. VAN BuREN's letter, for the
purpose of record for future reference.
We regret it. We see no good to result from
it. and so far from aiding, it will in our judgment
niure the cause il advocates We shall be held pre-
sumptuous for such opinion expressed against the
sense of many of superiors yet we take it fol-
granted that this address is not put forth the una
mous voice of the Wings of Congress. 1t does moi
profess so to speak, and know the fact that there
are members of the Wing party Of both Houses who
had nothing to do with it, and who renounce the
policy of it, to say the least. 1t has been stated to
us that only fifty Wings present at its adoption
The only avowed apology for making the address
is the failure Of one Of the Wing measures They
admit that all their (and their acts are "a
in number) have succeeded with the concurrence OF
the President except the Bank and that has failed
For this they publish the address announcing to their
constituents (not to the Wings of all the States and
districts Of the Union that the President has voun
tarily separated himself from those by whose exer-
tons and suffrages he was elevated to that Office
through which he reached his present exalted sta
tion" and renounce all responsibility for the Admin
istration hereafter. Now, with due difference, we
submit whether this " consequence which the an-
thors of the address deduce from the loss Of favo
rite measure is necessary or reasonable one. Cui
bono What Is to be gained by abandoning the Ad-
ministrations Does that better the prospect of
summating their wishesi Is that way to get Fis.
cal Agent Now, suppose the Presided should fol-
low the example of the seceders and of his retiring
Cabinet would it not be infatuation and treason to
give all upI and abandon every thing, in a rage to
whom it might concern, merely because difference
had arisen about the details Of single measured 1t
seems to us that nothing could be more unwise and
suicidal than the course which many of the Wings
are pursuing Can they look elsewhere, as Mr.
Webster pernenly asks, for the realization of their
hopes' Where cln they look' Are they willing to
thIow away an their advantages and run the hazard
of another canvass' For part, we believe there
is shorter and a peaceful road to the accom-
plshment of all the just ends desired by the majority
of the people. We are willing to try it, and to hold
on so long as there hope and we have yet seen
no occasion to despair.
The dissolution flhe Cabinet was an event which
will pass from recollection like of the common
disasters at sea. New and scenes will
ensue. The Government will 90 on, and in the
trials which may possibly lie before it, there is room
for patriotic exerons and for the acquisition of
honest fame. The imminent difficulties in our re-
latons with England demand the talents of WEB
consequences of unfavorabIe negotia-
ton Of those diicultes would oVershadow, in their
Importance, all the cabinets and bank bills in Chris
tendon. And if the worst apprehensons should be
realized, what honest Wing is there who would not
regret his denuncation of the President for diff
ference of opinion in matter of comparatively so
little consequence as th details Of bank bill. For
his, Is 1t wise to threa revolution in our Gov
eminent at home, wheI is almost ginning TO
'cowl at US from abroa For what does the pro-
posed abrogation of the qualified negative upon acts
'f the Legislature, given to the Executive by the
Constitution imply but a revolution IN system?
W hat does this address propose, but demolition of
he Executive branch of the Governments trans
er Of all power to the Legislature, and that body
possibly under dictatorship through the interven-
ion Of midnight club Of fraction Of its members2
What would this be- but radical revolution, de-
ivering from a responsible Constitutional Execu-
i've, to irresponsible and invisible Dictatorship
s not this the tendency of some of the doctrines
# this address, In our opinion the Constitu-
ion is too sacred an instrument to be the subject
# tinkering amendments at every caprice of party
'assion. 1t was the product of too much anxiety,
oil and wisdom to be dealt with so lightly. One
amendment leads TO another and another, and if |
hs spirit of modern innovation, which is not reform,
still to be INDUCED the Constitution will be fritz
cred away, until nothing is left but prospect OF
narchy before us.
We deprecate this publication, for more reasons
han we now have time to enumerate. We regret it |
PARTICULARLY on account Of the respectable names
which are appended to it, and which we would rather
than involve in the fate of such doctrines as il
lscloses.