The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27

We are sure that some new effort must be
made and that some worker is required in
this field, whose heart and conscience shall beat
with the vigorous pulse of humane affections
and OF sense Of justice whose industry shall
be adequate TO the collection and array OF facts
whose skill in operating on the public mind shall
be equal to the task of invoking the sympathies
and securing the attention Of Congress and Of
The nation; and who may be competent to sug-
gest such action Of the Government as may be
necessary to the end. The sympathies of the
nation are right, and those of Congress would
be right, the moment they should see what may
and ought to be done.
The scheme required would involve some
thing like a new creation in political science,
the opening of terra incognita in the morals Of
Government, quo ad hoe To the shame of
Chrstendom be it said, that no nation has ever
yet advanced one inch in attaining that unknown
faculty of protecting barbarous tribes against the
exterminating vices Of civilization. If il comes
not soon, it will come forever too late for the
aboriginal tribes Of North America. If we
think we shall do our duty in going on as we
have done, we fear there will be roll of judg-
ment against us in Heavens chancery. There
never was system that demanded so much to
be purged of its rank impurities and dark ini-
quities.
The President Of the United States is not
ignorant of the truth of what we say, and unless
he has formed the purpose Of some new effort,
we know not on what ground he could indulge
himself in this cheering language: II can con-
ceive of no more sublime spectacle-none more
likely to propitiate an impartial and common
Creator-than rigid adherence to the princi-
pies Of justice, on the part Of powerful nation,
IN its transactions with weaker and uncivzed
people, whom circumstances have placed at its
disposal
Party Spirit.
Well, and justly, and eloquently has General
Harrison deprecated this evil, and we join him
most fervently in the hope, that its vrulence may
be abated We are sure, indeed, that it will be,
If he and his Administration adhere to those
principles which their constituents have avowed
and toiled to establish When party in power,
as In the case of the late dynasty, is seen to be
using unfair means to maintain their ascendan-
cy, that is it which awakens concern, and exas-
perates the spirit of people yet free. But while
no unfair means are employed, no cause of exas-
pelation exists then party spirit cannot be driven
to extremities. Two great parties, under every
free Government, there must always be- to
watch and hold each other in check; but there
is no necessity that violence should characterize
their operations, nor will it ever be so, so long as
the party in power is tolerant in its spirit, and
fair in its measures. We trust that General
Harrison and his friends will be in nothing more
ambitious or more scrupulous, than to acquire
such reputation, and to justify the expectations
which may fairly be based on the promises held
out.
The Christian Character Of The Inaugural.
We are nominally Christian, and to great
extent, religious people, and there never was
greater mistake than that which has generally
sealed the lips of our Chief Magistrates on the
subject of religion We profoundly believe,
that there is conscience in the nation which is
ever ready to respond Amen to reverential ac-
acknowledgement of God and his providence from
this high quarter Few, if any, would dare to
brave the infamy of remonstrance against it,
while ten thousand, we disposed to believe
millions of hearts have been gratefully and reli-
gously touched with Gen. Harrison's apparently
devout recognition of our dependence, as peo-
pie, for all that is most dear to us, on the good
ness of God. In the Inaugural, Immediately
before assuming the oath Of Office, he has pub
licly protested, before the nation and the world,
his faith in Christianity, and they who worship
together with him in the same Christian assem-
bly,, are accustomed to behold him 'kneeling
before the Lord our maker"