The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27
THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY AND
THE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE.

THE CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY AND
THE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE
What lamentable spectacle our country pre-
sents. How wide and universal the evidences
Of past misrule. The people in the majesty of
their strength, have risen and expelled the chiefs
of Loco-focoism from their places, but the mis-
chiefthey have done remains to be repaired 1t
was not merely the election of Gen. Harrison to
the Presidency fol which that immense and uni
Versal movement was made, which excited the
country through its whole length and breadth
during the last year. This event was looked TO
as the means of getting relief from the fatal po-
hey Of Van Buren,. This object remains to be
accomplished. Let not the people in any por-
ton Of the Union relapse into false, perhaps
fatal security, in the belief that the battle is won
and that an advantageous change can be effect
ed without further effort on their part
Waichings and cares must win the lofty prize
-tIue bliss and real good.
The counsels Of the nation are called, and it
remains with the people to designate such coun-
sellers as are worthy of their confidence, and ca
pable by their intelligence and frmness, to carry
through those measures Of relief which the coun-
try calls for.
With boundess resources, with univeral in
dustry, with abundant crops, and the advantages
of peace, at home and abroad, we find every
class of the communicable mechanics, the
farmers, the planters, the manufacturers and
merchants, struggling with almost universal
bankruptcy. How has this state of things been
brought about2 We answer by gross misrule
In exchange for the invaluable benefits of sys-
tenn of internal Improvements, in the way of
canals and railroads, such as no other nation
in the world possesses, the States have incurred
debts to the amount of ten or twelve millions
year-a mere trife compared to the advantages
obtained, yet we see frightful depreciation in
almost all the State securities at home and
abroad. How has this been brought about
We answer again by the grossest misrule. Is
it possible to conceive that this state Of things
could have been brought about by any other
than an utterly false, perncious system of legis-
lative and governmental policy?
Welook with confidence TO the people to see
that their true interests are represented in the
coming session of Congress. 1t is for them
nix like, or to sink into irretrievable ruin.
1t is for them to decide, whether the currency
shall be restored to a sound condition and uni
form value throughout the Union, or remain as il
is subjected TO the disointed action of twenty six
States and ruinously deprecated, falling to an
swer the purposes for which the people gave it
existence, and Gripping and embarrassing every
body who has money dealings
tits for the people to decide, whether the Co
vernment and the country are to be relieved,
without delay, from the injurious effects of the
Sub-Treasury, or to be forever hampered by il,
and dragged down to the condition of those
hard money despotisms from which the system
was derived.
1t is for the people to decide, whether the taxes
upon imports shall be equalized, so that there
shall be revenue sufficient to meet the expen-
ses Of the Government or whether ''perma-
nent deficiency is to be permitted, the public
business to be embarrassed and the public credit
endangered.
We trust that every citizen of those States in
which Congressional elections are to be held,
and who hopes for an improvement in the condi
ton of affairs, (and what true patriot does not
anxiously desire y will be on the alert and see
that Democratic Wing representatives are re-
turned to Congress. Men have been chan
ged-measures must follow next. A decided
change in the latter is demanded by the interests
Of the country, and the necessities of govern
ment, and is looked for as matter of the first
importance. The Union expects every man 10
do his duty.