The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-05

Mons which you have sanctioned, and which were
never heretofore regarded in this Hall at the hust-
ngs as abaing aught from the orthodoxy of a true
Whig3
But we now hear the opinions Of those who profess
some regard for the Constitution denounced sbstrac
tons They who have steadily and sternly resisted
all encroachents of this body Of the Executive the
Judiciary, on the Constitution, which marks the line
between the powers OF Government and the preroga-
tive of the peope-they are now rdicued as IN the
way OF those who want to do for the people than
they ever dared 10 promise OF than the people have
ever demanded. And this, too, by authority of the
people Sir, ] demand your warrant for this. Is II
found in the history Of the late election, when these
issues which you now proclaim ar decided were sire
nuously denied 2 Is it the voice Of the people or of
the politicians which loudly denounces abb
stractons Virginia distractions the distractions
Of the wise the patriotic trainers Of the Constitution
the distractions OF the fathers OF their country, now
so offensive the STRIPPING statesmen OF this day Sir
there such things distractions and there always
will be while men or Governments are restrained by
reason, justice, or principle. here are certain
a xioms in every science which conceded self
evident great cardinal truths which the mind does
question: but adopts the basis of its conclusions
Ii has been heretofore supposed for example, that
government in the United States is representative
democracy; that il derives all its powers from the peo
pie the States that this supreme will has been de-
cared through the Constitution the organic law of
our political system. These used 10 be considered
principles, but they may be distractions now, slr.-
There have always been two parties in politics. They
may be regarded the natural parties, spungng from
the peculiar interests preludices of men as to gov
eminent IL has been the object of TO enlarge the
powers of government first by means of positive
grants from the People by the peculiar forms of
government, and next 10y construction, by virtue of
that subtle instrument the pen, which has often
DESTROYED what the sword of revolution had accom-
pshed for human liberty. The other party desire to
in the hands OF the People as much power, and
to grant 10 Government AS little al will enable IT 10
dispense equal justice and protection 10 all One par
ty regards government Instituted for the benefit OF
the governors the other for the benefit Of the govern
ed estate in fee, the other as trust; one
attempts TO govern by the iluctuaiing caplcious VIII
OF maj orty, the other by the fixed principles OF the
Constitution, as the paramount VIII OF the whole
But sir fear the Constitution itself is become an alb
stracon in this age of expedlents and policy. There
old adage that honesty is the best policy" but
the highwayman denounces this as miserable and
useless abstraction. For why
"The good old rule sufficeth him
"1he simple plan
/" That he should take who hath the power,
g And he should keep who can"
The ten commandments and the sacred pIecepts and
| example of the New Testiment full of hope and
pous consolation to the Christian but the lnfdel de-
nounces them all as distractions He Iidcules the
faith which leans them and calls for some pageant
as the visible sign of his idoatry. These Virginia
distractions have done the State some service. Sir,
they have guarded the Peoples rights their money
too from another of abstraction that takes one
mans money to put into ano,hers purse. They are
honest distractions, sir. They distractions which
politicians have often denounced but which the Peo-
pie Of the United States have never yet failed to APP
prove.
was surprised to hear the gentleman from New
Jersey Mr. Hhsied) say that things would have gone
otherwise had the Wing administration of the gentle
man from Massachusetts, Mr.. Adams) been permitted
to 20 And why did it not go on, sir will not
press that the gentleman himself no doubt can tell
YOU the reason | had not known before that the OH
gin Of the Wing party dated SO far back. There are
many Wings who Will doubtless be surprised to learn
that the venerable gentleman over the way as he was
in 1929 he is new-ln the Executive office, where
be condemned by the People or as representa-
tive here--is their leader. And yet sir,
he is entitled to lead, by his age, his experience, his
services if he is the exponent of Wing principles
If he or his administration is the prototype OF the
Wing party then beg gentlemen to remember that
" In Adams fall,
We slnned ali"
Parties have undergone many revolutions since
1929. Men and measures have been weighed in the
balance and found wanting" Many shepherd has
betrayed the flock for the fleece and they all began by
carping at distractions. If not in TO the
history of that time the distinguished gentleman
from Massachusetts himself mir. Adams who now
leads us, Stae-rghts men and all, (and all were
State rights before the late election was ready to
buckle himself TO broad sword, to make war for
the bill of denominations" which the compromise he
SO much denounces was intended to adjust within
bounds Of endurance. If we to recur TO that
fountain of orthodoxy, desire to know whether we
are to endorse the splendid theories OF the latter
Adams while President; or the doctrine avo"ed dur
ing this session this floor that, under the treaty
making power, this Government can emancipate the
slaves of the States after they have been excited to IN
surrecon by agitaors in this Hall No, sir; non
tall auritio nee defensoribs sfiswe must look to
later period for the origin Of the Wing party, for its
great principles and objects In the year 1883 that
party united, after the removal of the deposits, en-
bracing men OF every shade OF opinion abstraction
isis and all who agreed nevertheless in their views
the power and duties of the Executive branch of
the Government, and in little else. We united, SIR,
resist Executive encroachments on the constitutions
al rights of the other Departments What are now
denounced distractions then cherished as ear
nesly as now by many of US. They constituted no
lmpcdiment to our union then. But now, when our
principles which forbid US T. sanction an encroach-
mcnt on the Constitution by Congress, which will on
~ smooth the way for future Executive encroach-
ments, cannot be laid aside al your bidding, we are
denounced as useles. abstractionsts. Ii gentlemen
will pause and reflect they will perceive that The Wing
party which lrumphed sgnally at the late election
was composed, not of the gentleman from Massachu-
sets and his friends only, many OF whom held hlgh
stations under both the last Administrations but
chiefly the major part at least of seccders from the
jackson and Van Buren, ranks, Why are we told,
tLen, that the American people approved IN lSlo, IVY
the election of Harrison and Tyler, what they con-
demned IN 1929, by the defeat Of the e. dynasy2
Why do hear that men who have been es
teemed good enough Wings to be selected by the par
" candidates Tor the first honors OF the Republic,
longer good Wings because they cannot APP
prove United States Bank Have you Just disco
vered these distractions Or is IT part OF the poli
cal ethics of the time that public adapt their
opinions and principles to circumstances, and change
them like an old garment when they change their po-
son
MIR Chairman have changed no opinion | de-
sire 10 change political alliance, TO form any
party but cannot surrender my distractions to
be moulded into any form 10 suit the taste of others
1t is apparent SIR who it is that attempting to