The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-18
FEDERALISM AND FRpERALlsTs.

There seems 10 be a predestined Infatuatons
fatality in the Locoloco press and being SO,
we need not be concerned, that they viii be adj
yised by us 10 repent ofthat WHICH we are quite
willing to see them hold ON 10, viz. 10 persist in
calling the true republicans Of the country Fede-
ralists. They can't make il stick, and they waste
their wind and their ink. There is scarcely
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 prdes himself in saying he is
a Federalist Of the old school. Buthe is SO great
rarity as 10 bea curiosity, and ought TO be
canied about in Geological menagerie.
Nevertheless, there had risen in the land
nep Federal party, which has already begun TO
go the same way. The Federalism OF Andrew
Jackson and Martin Van Buren, was great,
decided, and superlative refinement on the Fed
eralism Of The early days fine republic. II was
the very essence ofthe more difiuse and less
condensed commodity. Il was the centre OF
centralism and sought to draw oil influence and all
power within the circle Of the Executive sway.
The Capitol was a mere appenage ofthe White
House, the Judiciary trembled on their seats
and federal officers, swarmng through the land,
were IN full commission and in full tilt to break
down the power and independence ofihe States
The whole system Of the Federal Government
was fast becoming one vast and all-absorbing
federal power, with the President as Chieftain
But, in 1910, the people saw il; in 1910 the
people rose in their might, and demolished this
fabric. 1t can never rise again. II was Fede-
ralism in its worst character, Federalism double
refined fourth proofeven, as intense in its aspira
tons as il could be. II was the ne plus ultra Of
federal ambition. The Essex jun'o and Hart
ford Convention were nothing to it. They were
innocence itself in comparison.
But true republcanism lifted its head, and tr-
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.
Now, after the fray, they are impudent again.
They approach nearer and nearer with jealous
caution, TO reconnoitre 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-g grandfather was sired in
Europe, his family have been here some hundreds
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 disdain alike the epithets ascrbed to them
and are resolved to assert their rights, the one TO
rule the land, and the other TO protect il with his
wings.
II is amusing TO observe the vain efforts of
the Federal press, of that press which reared
and fostered Federalism so lately in such OBJ
noxlous forms, so conscience smitten 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. II has received its
death wound, however, and no alarm will be
felt. Such is the fate Of Federalism in this
country.