The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-19
COURSE OF THE OPPOSITION IN CON
GRESS.

A patriotic opposition--an opposition founded IN
honest difference of opinion, and having the public
good in view would be entitled to respect and consde
ration Its very would have Just claim TO for
bearance and indulgence. But faetious opposition,
which has regard to the public interests which
seeks to thwart the Of the majority from
other motive than that of producing embarrassment
and continuing the evils which bad measures have
brought upon the country, ought TO receive no favor
from the people
The measures of the late administration have been
condemned by vast majority of the people of this
Union. The question referred to them as the Ill
innate tribunal The decision has been peremptory in
favor of change of measures. From their judgment
there is appeal and it remains only for the repre-
sentatives of the people to that judgment in
good faith, to carry out the will of the people to abo
ish and abrogate the measures which have brought
ruin upon the country, and 10 establish their stead
those indicated by the result of the election.
This, every patriotic and honest representative of
the people will do He will not up his will against
theirs Lie will not seek to put obstacles in the way
OF the accomplishment of the great purposes of afford
ing relief to the people of restoring prosperity the
country and of bringing back the Government the
purity and principles Of the earlier and better days Of
the Constitution.
Congress is now convened in extra session or the
accomplishment Of these high and patriotic purposes
1t was demanded by the condition of the Treasury
the condition OF the country, and by the all controlling
will of the people Their duty is plain and obvious
and there is no escape from the responsibility under
which every member acts for the eyes othe people are
upon him
Congress has been in session nearly three weeks
and what has been the course of the Opposition mem
bers, day by day, from the beginning2 Has it not
been TO prevent the execution OF the judgment Of the
People 1--we speak of the lower branch speciality
to prevent any thing being done for the relief of the
country2 To delay, and, if possible, to defeat the
organization of the House and render il necessary
for 1t to break up in confusion without accomplishing
the Immensely important and patriotic purposes Tor
which Congress convened Has not this been
the tendency and apparent design of every movement
the Opposition has yet made We ask every candid
man Of every party, who hns witnessed the proceed
ings, If 1t is not So III las not every step yet taken
by the opponents of the present Administration, dis
closed the melancholy truth that the enemies of the
People the enemies of reform the enemies of faith.
tul and honest administration of public affairs, at
work in the Halls of Congress defeat the popular
will, and to break down the power of the people them
selves We could relate some facts-we could tell
some tales, which would illustrate this natter and
make the honest and abused people Of the country
stare. We will store them up for another occasion.
This session intended to be a short one. A
few measures only that were demanded by the extra
ordinary condition in which the late Administration
ba Na,r H..
this time. The people expect and require that the
session shall be short The opposition determined
it shall be prolonged The very suggestion, by dis
tinguished member of the Senate, that the business
ought to be accomplished in the months of June and
July was met by the opposition with open denuncia-
ton, Though prompt action is in accordance with
the will and expectations of the country it was pro-
nounced Oppressive and tyranncal 10 the minority,
because, iorsooh it would defeat their design Of talk
ing away the precious time of the session by which
they hoped to prevent any thing from being done for
the benefit of the people An impoverished and bank
rupt Treasury inherited from the late Administration
they would have still farther exhausted by proracted
session heightened out by all the which a fac
tous and unprinclpled opposition bring into ope
ration.
This, every candid and honest of whatever
party, viii regard a. very unworthy course. The
Democratic Wing press throughout the country-ev-
cry honest ask the judgment OF the peo-
Pile this matter That is the tribunal to try all such
offenders. Let them be arraigned there and let us
have the verdict No one can doub, that il will be a
verdict Of condemnation of such conduct as unpatr-
otto, unworthy and unjustiabe.
If such course is perseyeed in by the opposition,
we feel assured that it will react upon them. 1t will
to confirm, if confirmation needed the wis
dom which led 10 the and memorable transfer of
the Government into other hands.