The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-19
COURSE OF THE OPPOSITION IN CON
GRESS


honest difference of opinion, and having the public
good in view would be entitled to respect and conside-
ration Its very errors would have just claim to for
bearance and indulgence But factious opposition,
which has no regard TO the public interests, which
seeks to thwar the measures of the majority from
other motive than that of producing embarrassment
and continuing the evils which bad measures have
brought upon the country ought TO receive favor
from the people. ......
The measures of the late administration have been
condemned by vast majority of the people of this
Union. The questionwas referred to them the ul-
innate tribunal. The decision has been perempory in
favor OF change of measures. From their judgment
there is no appeal and it remains only for the repre-
sentatives of the people to execute that judgment in
good faith to carry out the will of the people, to abo-
lish and abrogate the measures which have brought
ruin upon the country and to establish in their stead
those indicated by the result of the election.
+ This, every patriotic and honest representative of
the people will do. He will not set up his will against
theirs. He will not seek to put obstacles in the way
of the accomplishment of the great purposes of afford
ing relief to the people, Of restoring prosperity to the
country and of bringing back the Government to the
purity and principles of the earlier and better days of
the Constitution.
Congress is convened in an extra session for the
accomplishment of these high and patriotic purposes
1t was demanded by the condition of the Treasury,
the condition of the country and by the alconroing
will of the people. Their duty is plain and obvious,
and there is no escape from the responsibility under
which every member acts for the eyes ofhe people
upon him.
Congress has been in session nearly three weeks,
and what has been the of the Opposition men,
bers, day by day, from the beginning? Has it not
been to prevent the execution of the judgment of the
People 1--we speak of the lower branch speciality
to prevent any thing being done for the relief of the
country2 To delay, and, if possible to defeat the
organization of the House, and render il necessary
for it to break up in confusion without accomplishing
the Immensely important and patriotic purposes for
which Congress was convened? Has not this been
the tendency and apparent design of every movement
the Opposition has yet made? We ask every candid
man Of every party, who has witnessed the proceed
ings, if it is not so? Has not every step yet taken
by the opponents of the present Administration, dis
closed the melancholy truth that the enemies of the
People, the enemies of reform the enemies of faith
full and honest administration of public affairs are at
work in the Halls of Congress to defeat the popular
will, and to break down the power of the people them
selves? We could relate some facts-we could tell
some tales, which would illustrate this matter and
make the honest and abused people of the country
stare. We will store them up for another occasion.
This session was intended to be a short one. A
few measures only that demanded by the extra
ordinary condition in which the late Administration
left the public affairs expected to be acted on at
this time. The people expect and require that the
session shall be short. The opposition determined
it shall be prolonged. The very suggestion by dis
ting uished member of the Senate that the business
ought to be accomplished in the months of June and
July, was met by the opposition with open denunca-
ton Though prompt action is in accordance with
the will and expectations of the country it was pro-
nounced Oppressive and tyrannical to the minority
because, forsooh it would defeat their design of talk
ing away the precious time Of the session. by which
they hoped to prevent any thing from being done for
the benefit of the people. An impoverished and bank
rupt Treasury inherited from the late Administration
they would have still farther exhausted by protracted
session heightened out by all the means which fac
tious and unprncpled opposition can bring into ope
ration.
This every candid and honest man of whatever
party, will regard as very unworthy course The
Democratic Wing press throughout the country-ev-
cry honest press-shoud ask the judgment of the peo
pie on this matter. That the tribunal to try all such
offenders. Let them be arraigned there, and let us
have the verdict. No one can doubt that it will be
verdict of condemnation of such conduct as unpatri-
otto, unworthy and unjustfable.
If such course is persevered in by the opposition
we feel assured that it will react upon them. 1t will
serve to confirm if confirmation were needed the wis
dom which led to the and memorable transfer of
the Government into other hands.