The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-27
ANALYSIS OF THE INAUGURAL.
CONTINUED.
The poor against the rich.

as property holders, and thus become the victims
of their own devices. One generation, in this
country, where the law of entailment and the
rights fprimogeniture are cut off, is enough 10
bring those now at the bottom of the wheel of
fortune, to the top. As the best friends of those
now at the bottom, we would advise them to
keep still, lest by their own acts, they be sudden
y hurled down when they get up Hav-
ing suffered all the disadvantages of the lower
condition, it is no more than fair that they should
be permitted TO enjoy the full, though transient
benefit of the higher, when, by their virtue and
good success, they get there. We say to al,
agrarians, therefore, hold oD, if you know which
side of your own bread is buttered. WHY de-
prive yourselves of the good taste by your own
folly? In the name of Democracy" says
General Harrison, "they speak, warning the
people against the influence of wealth, and the
danger of Aristocracy." He points them to some
examples Of history, ancient and modern, very
impressive, to show how the " dear people" the
democracy have been, and may again be deceiv-
ed by demagogues.
The real danger.
"There is no single instance on record, of an
extensive and well established republic being
changed into an aristocracy. The tendency Of
all such governments, in their decline is to Mo-
NARcHY." If this be true, and we believe il is il
is no less astounding, than instructive fact. 1t
shows us, that all this cry about aristocracy is
blind thrown over the eyes of the people, till they
shall find themselves locked in the firm grasp Of
~. ho. baa,. H.
rect tendency Of the policy and measures of the
late dynasty. 1t has been left for General Har-
rison to throw the true idea TO the people, and
we think they will take it. because they cannot
help but see it. II is one of those self-evdent
truths, which sometimes lie awhile concealed,
but which need only to be named, to burst up
on the mind with all their force. Who ever
thought of this, till General Harrison threw il
out2 And where is the man that will deny it,
now that it is presented 1t is not only confor-
mable to all past history of other nations, but it
casts flood Of light upon our own. Dema-
gogues, and office-holders, and corrupt and We
nal press, and men in authority, from the lowest
places of trust, up to the President of the Uni
ted States, have been ringing changes on the
word aristoctacy p'-and dinging it into the
ears of the people, while, like Cesar, and Crom-
well, and Bolivar, the Chieftain, had noother aim
than jump to supreme power, when, unexpec-
tedly, but too late for remedy, the people would
have found themselves fast in the clutches of an
absolute monarchy! All know how aristocracy
has been cried, and all see, the moment General
Harrison mentions it, that the real danger is mo-
narchy. The peol lie of this country will be no
less obliged to him for this impressive announce
ment, than for other things he has done, and may
yet do, to withdraw the veil from their eyes, that
they may see things as they are. This cry of
arstocracy will still be kept up, but it will be bet
ter understood.
The prospect before as.
"The true spirit of liberty" says General
Harrison, is mild and tolerant, and scrupulous
as TO the means it employs whilst the spirit Of
party is vindictive and intolerant, and totally
reckless as to the character of the allies which
it brings to the aid of its cause. When the
genuine spirit of liberty anmates the body of
the people to thorough examination of their
affairs, it leads to the excelsior of every excres-
cence which may have fastened itself upon any
of the departments of the Government and re-
stores the system to its pristine health and vigor.
But the reign of an intoerant spirit of party
among free people, seldom fails to result in a
dangerous accession to the Executive power
introduced and established amidst unusual pro-
fessions of devotion to Democracy"
This exact picture of our history must, we
think, lead every thinking American to sober re-
Election, and he will be thankful, that the
genuine spirit of liberty, always mild and tole-
rant, has animated the body of the people to
thorough examination Of their affairs, for the
excision Of those excrescences of power" which
have silently and gradually fastened themselves
upon the body polite, in the forms of Executive
authority. The intolerant and vindictve spirit
Of party" under the specious name of Democra-
cy, had gained fearful ascendancy, and lodged
an alarming weight Of power in the national
Executive. But we have now come to such an
examination Of our affairs" that, with such
Chief at the head, we trust we shall be able to
cut this down little.
If, after such history Of usurpation, and such
fair warning, we do it not thoroughly and for
ever, it might almost be said, we shall well de-
serve revival thereof
Foreign relations.
These are declared to be pacific, notwith-
standing the apprehensions that have been in
dulged about the Mcleod affair Probably how
ever, General Harrisons notice of this subject
was rather to announce his general impression,
and the hope he INDUCED of the future. He
recognizes the fact, that in his position at the
moment, he could not be supposed "well in
formed as to the state of pending negotiations"
1t was sufficient for him to declare his purpose
to maintain our national honor.
Our Indian relations.
Much could be said on this topic, but it is too
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