The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-14

culaled TO perplex and misead the ndinps Of
well-meanng and well-afecied PERSONS to lead the
closest adherens of the alton unconsciousy
10 dsparage its principles, its character and thereby
to render the very predictions views of portion
of the Wing party subseryient the views and inle-
rests of political hostility
Ii is thus with the Manifesto before us-or strictly
speaking, il imbodes argument-it would have
been the part of proessed adversary perfectly in
noxous. But It's objectionable quality consists in
this that II contains statements of principles and rep
reservations of thing which would have worked no
injury Gas they would have btaned no beef) fopen.
ly imputed as charges by political enemies but which
when received professions and admissions by poll
cal associates are calculated TO produce unbounded
mischief
The most important interests Of the United States
intimately interviewer with the acts of their
Chief Magistrate. Every citizen has therefore, a
deep concern IN the vndcaon of the character Of
this high officer from unmeTited obloquy and an un
denabe right TO lay his reflections on that subject
respectfully but with freedom before the community
OF which he ID a member
Allow US then to appeal to you upon subject dear
and interesting to US all. The security Of the Wing
party and its principles is of the first CONSEQUENCE 10
our happiness and the man who would eopardize
either must be considered enemy to his country
There never was period when union more i'm
perously required Surrounded as we ire by foreign
and domestic difficulties, we have much TO contend
with, and much 10 apprehend
The Manifesto of the Wing Members Of Congress
which we are about TO offer some obse rvatons is
T.
cumsances, that ever issued from the American press
The attention which its novelty and snguarity would
alone have been sufficient to excite is heightened by
consideration OF the manner in which the transac-
tons recorded in IT, bear only upon the character
OF an eminent tndipidudi but upon the general pros
poets of the great w hig party.
However much we may regret the causes which
have led to the publication Of this Manifesto, and
however unwilling we should be it established
as principle, that distinguished individuals who are
engaged In dischargng high representative functions
should resort TO this irregular mode of developing their
political casting serious and gratuitous mpu
taons on the character the distinguished funconary
at the head of the Government we cannot but admit
that this Manifesto and the statements of the Cabinet
OF an equally delicate nature, coming from an avowed
authority, and the various misrepresentation which
they contain may fairly he considered as having ex-
torted from the friends of the President full vndica-
ton of his character
These publications show how men OF liability may pau-
siby pervert the planest question: and lead the pub
nc MIND to wrong perception OF political principles
1 MS sort OF ingenuity, however may he tolerated,
because being expressed and perceptble to the refec
tons OF men, 1t Is susceptible of counteractio1 But
what we think altogether unjustifable in these docu
mens, is the most uncandd resort to insinuaon. OF
all the modes OF conducting controversy, that of in
situation is the most dsengenuous; for as in such
case nothing Is stated, the Judgment beclouded, |
and Imagination, that great field of human errors, is |
left to inter, at random, whatever ofevil it may suggest
The object of these conmu mic aons will be- to dis
spate all those false DISCUSSES and present TO you the
real state of the facts connected with of the
important events which have taken place in the
history Of the Wing party
In undertaking TO place the Presidents conduct in |
Its proper light, deem il proper to premise that it is
very far from my intention TO defend him by impeach-
ing others. Where they have differed, have no
doubt that they differed honestly, and in claiming for
the President the merit of being controlled by homo |
rable and patriotic considerations every part of this
his new career, cheerfully accord to them the
degree Of h norable intention and lofty patriotism
am not ignorant of the trying position in ich the
President is placed; yet cannot but look with conf
dence to the decision Of the people. The question
presented for the consideration of the people
that of a controversy between two individuals, be-
tween whom you to decide; viewed in that light,
it would be the aspect of mere personal difference,
involving principle and unworthy of your notice ;
but regarded in different aspect involving the
character of an officer, occupying your surages and
distinguished official station, whose conduct in in
teresting public transaction has been impeached it as
sumes more important bearing, and presents ques-
ton of deep import for your consideration The most
momenious of all political relations is that between
the representative and the constituent When your
sufrages exat individual to place of hiph dis
tincton and official consideration, most serious obi
CATION imposed the representative and the consti-
tuent in the faithful per formance of which the exist
ence of our republican institutions oh ely rest for
support on him to deserve the continuation Of
your political support on you not to hurl him from
power without just and proper grounds.
he event which has given occasion to these publ
cations is, believe, unparalleled in the history of
parties nor is it difficult to find expressions of repre-
henson sufficiently strong TO censure such acts which,
IN addition to their tendencies to beget heart burnngs
and reconclleabe calouses well calculated pro-
duce Indifference 1t not opposition, among the mem
hers of the Wing party to lower The reputation of our
Republican Government in the eyes of Europe; to at
ford cause of triumph and exultatlon TO all those who
replce in the supposed prosraon of exalted ndi-
vdua and TO excite The deepest disapprobaton in the
mind of every man who is anxious TO uphold the prin-
rtf,l anf N h,r
However impracticabe it may have been found so
far to subdue the private feelings of men, their po
lca disapponments, 10y the considerations of the
paramount Importance Of the Wing party maintain
ing their ascendency, and to subject them to the high
commandments of patriotic duty, to prevent distin-
guished members of political association from
rogating and exercising the right OF seeking by their
political revelations 10 PROSTATE the President by
ragning him before the bar of public opinion we can
proc ed to the discussion Of any instance of this
kind, without protesting generally against an outrage
upon usage and practice. Such being our general
ieeing, il is impossible should not mark with pc
cullar reprobation conduct accompanied with almost
every Imaginable circumstances OF aggravaiion The
situation q the persons involved bound as they were
by their chiracters members of Congress- prom-
nent members q the dominant party, and coniien-
ta advisers of President conspicuous fol political
morality and ioydhy 10 party, 10 afford an example, 81
STREE ftetty 10 whig interests and To shun any occa-
sion 81 deraeting from the merits of political friends
necessarily exposes their conduct 10 peculiar blame,
anu requires Woe 'han urinary JusiiHcatioh IL IL
ao further oggravaton, tina, such Justification
cotding their views, could not be produced but by
the disclosure of cabinet consultations which most
unfit for public scrutiny and invest gaton, Such is
The character of the statements from Mcssrs. Ewing
Bell and Badger which have unfortunately been
made public and such must OF necessity, be in great
measure the charactr OF any document Ivy which the
allegations of these statements are retuted.
JEFFERSON.
FOR THE MADSoNtAN.
Ma EDITOR: Notwithstanding the denuncatlons
and vllu eratioD lavlshly dealt out by portion OF