The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27


and yet be restored TO health and usefulness.
MOVEMENTS OF THE NEW ADMINS
TRATION.
All eyes are upon it. Our own country, Eu-
rope, the world now wait to see what is TO be
done TO rescue this great heretofore prosperous,
enterprising, and vastly capable Republic from
the effects of bad government If they who
had ruled us for many years, till the 4th instant,
had set themselves with undisguised purpose
and malice prepense to work the ruin of the ma
ton, they could not have succeeded more efiec-
tually. Now that they are superseded by the
true friends of the country, the new admins
tration at this moment is emphaticaly the OBJ
served Of all observers"
The Var Question.
Their first task, demanding consummate skill
Of craftsmanship, was 10 apply themselves to
keep the peace between this country and Great
Britain, without compromising our national
honor. This has called for, and no doubt re-
ceiyed, their greatest and most laborious con-
sideratien 1t is, however, from the nature OF
the case, an out-of-sight operation, until the time
for disclosures, left in their discretion, shall have
the public are left to conjecture, eventfu trans
actions are going on between the two govern
ments.
Setting in order the machinery of State.
The Executive branch of our Government
comprehends the entire list of appointments I'M
der the President, from the members OF the Capi
net through all classes and ranks OF the lnterme-
date, down to the most subordinate agencies APP
pertaining to this vast machinery. II cannot be
said that we have a new Government, I'LL all
these agencies are put in order. 1t is great
work, demanding great consideration. There
is not, perhaps, Government in the world,
where change of administration so materially |
effects the machinery of State. 1t does not IN |
deed require the whole to be reconstructed; but
il does require it all to be examined, to be looked
into, with view to ascertain what parts will
faithfully sustain and carry out the views and
responsibilities of the Head and his advisers
An administration that is responsible to the peo-
pie to the remotest limit of its sphere for the
tion of every part must be able to rely on the re-
sponsibiity and fidelity of its agents. The right
of change in foro consciapti9, is co-extensive
withresponsibility, and the latter necessarily inn
plies the former We believe the President and
his Cabinet are acting with the utmost consci-
entiousness, as well as with great deliberaton in
constructing the Government In this move
ment they will doubtless seek to be sustained
not only by the country, but by history.
The Extra Session of Congress.
This is the most important demonstration
which the new Administration has made 1t
evinces at the same time their moral courage,
their sound judgment, and their fidelity to that
great movement of the country which raised
them to power. 1t was literally great move
ment, the aim of which no sagacious observer
could possibly mistake. The course of the
morning sun towards its meridian station, and
its tendency thence-forward towards its western
bed, is not more unerring than the indications of
that popular movement which is comprehended
within twelve-month past, and which has ter
minated in a great political revolution. The
mind of the nation is long since made up TO a
change of policy and Of measures and the soon
er the people have that policy and its measures
set distinctly before them in a fixed shape and
on a settled basis, so much sooner will they feel
that their end is accomplished. The period of
misrule has been long, painful, and disastrous to
the country, and the whole nation now waits
with impotence for the rectfcation of these err
rors, the suppression of this quackery, and the
cpd of these usurpations Having themselves
determined the question, who is to rule, which
is no relief in itself, except as an Indictment of
hope, they now wish the question to be settled,
what is to be done We conscientously be-
lieve there is not single man of the people that
who, if left TO his own good sense, will not hail
the Presidents Proclamation of the 18th instant,
TO convene a special session of Congress, with
unqualified appreciation. Such man has but
a single question before him for his judgment TO
act upon, and that is, whether il is better to
bring restoring measures into action year soon
er, or year ater2
The Circular of The Heads of Departments.
And is il possible that any facts in our history
could require or justify such document as this,
to come out under authority 1t is, indeed, hui
initiating. Nevertheless, never was a public
missive put forth more pertinent, more season
able, or one that will be more salutary in its
operation. 1t is, in word, stopper to bribery
and corruption in off ial stations, based on the
history of the past Ii is, withal, palpable
hint to guilty consciences, which, we confess,
it has given us some pleasure to observe.
AS we told our readers last week, this govern
ment will be as mindful Of the past as wakeful
to the future. They have memories as well as
foresight Promise one thing, and perform
anotber we frust will never be inscribed on the
history Of their acts Foremost were they in.
the ranks of the People, while the future well
being of this Republic was pending during the
late struggle and their words recorded
II inhf rood is The earnest already given. In va