The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-22
FEDERALISM AND FEDERALIsTs

There seems to be predestined infatuation,
a fatality in the Locofoco press; and being so,
we need not be concerned, that they will be adj
vised by us to repent ofthat which we are quite
willing to see them hold on to, viz to persist in
calling the true republicans of the country Fede-
raists. They can't make it stick, andthey waste
their wind and their ink THERE'S scarcely a
man in the country, who does not know, that
the old federal party died and was buried many
years ago, never to rise again even at the resur-
rection. There is now and then an old incor-
rigible sinner who prides himself in saying he is
Federalist of the old school. But he is so great
a rarity as to be curiosity, and ought to be
carried about in geological menagerie.
Nevertheless, there had risen in the land a
mep Federal party, which has already begun to
60 the same way. The Federalism of Andrew
Jackson and Martin Van Buren, was great,
decided, and superative refinement on the Fed
eralism of the early days of the republic. 1t was
the very essence ofthe more diffuse and less
condensed commodity. II was the centre of
centralism and sought to draw all influence and all
power within the circle Of the Executive sway
The Capitol was mere appenage ofthe White
House, the Judiciary trembled on their seats,
and federal officers, swarming through the land,
were IN full commission and in full tilt to break
down the power and independence ofthe States.
The whole system Of the Federal Government
was fast becoming one vast and alLabsorbing
federal power, with the President as Chieftain.
But, in 1910, the people saw it; in 1910 the
people rose in their might and demolished this
fabric. 1t can never rise again. 1t was Fede-
ralism in its worst character, Federalism double
refined, fourth proofeven, intense in its aspira
tions as it could be. 1t was the ne plus ultra Of
federal ambition. The Essex JUNO and Hart
ford Convention were nothing to it. They were
innocence itself in comparison.
But true republicanism lifted its head, and tri-
umphed once more. Like the lion of the forest,
it came out from its lair, shook its name, and
roared. All minor and meaner beasts scampered,
as if afraid of being eaten up. 6g.
Now, after the fray, they are impudent again.
They approach nearer and nearer, with jealous
caution, to reconnotre and see what will be done.
They call names, and say the lion is an old
Federalist. They say he is the British lion
But, though he is not native Of this Continent,
though his great-great-grandfathe was sired in
Europe, his family have been here somehundreds
ofyears, till his blood and heart are all Ameri-
can. He has also an ally that scars in the air,
and looks on the sun-the American Eagle.
Both dsdain alike the epirhets ascribed to them,
and resolved to assert their rights, the one to
rule the land, and the other to protect it with his
wings. ra,a sg,a atfl@. ~
II is amusing to observe the vain efforts of
the Federalpress, of that press which reared
and fostered Federalism so lately in such OBJ
noxlous forms, so conscience-smtten for its err
rors, so repentant over its mistakes, as to be
foremost in the cry to chase ITSELF As Federal
ism can be found no where else, therefore all
eyes are bent that way. 1t has received its
death wound, however, and no alarm will be
felt. Such is the fate of Federalism in this
country. ' #i%