The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-19

but applications of dust aud ashes to parched
threats and swollen tongues.
THE PRESENT ADMINISTRATION AND
WING PRINCIPLES.
Among the principles advocated by the Wing
party during the last canvass for the Presi-
dency, the following are believed TO have been
perhaps the most prominent. First, the regu-
aton of the currency through the Intervention
Of the General Government, by causing its Gre
dit to aid in promoting private enterprise. Sc
condly, the restoration and extension of the ma
tiona defenees, so as to secure the safety and
honor of the country. Thirdly, the acknow
Judgement of the right, on the part of the States,
to an equable distribution of the proceeds of the
sales of the public domain, the Indebtedness to
secure which they stood pledged being can
celled and there being surplus in the National
Treasury, after current expenses should be
paid and fourthly, the necessity of general
bankrupt system, whereby honest debtors might
be released from old obligations, and the sub
sequent earnings of their industry be secured to
themselves and their families. In these we be-
hold four of the leading principles for which the
Wings contended, and we propose to prove,
that notwithstanding the assertions of certain
Executive Administration has carried them to
the fullest extent consistent with its ability.
In the first place, then, with reference to the
restoration of the currency, what have been the
facts2 When Congress, at is extra session,
made a call on the Secretary of the Treasury,
Mr.. Ewing then at the head Of that Depart
ment, in compliance with the request, promptly
reported scheme for the consideration OF that
body, which, he believed, with full view OF
the whole ground, to be the best, that could be
adopted, reference being had to the opinions OF
the President openly and uniformly expressed.
Whether the scheme so offered, would have
been found adequate to the object tor which 1t
was intended, need not now be discussed, but
it is believed that no rational doubt can exist,
that, with the amendment of Mr.. Rives recog-
nising State sovereignty, it would have received
the sanction of the President, and would have
served, at all events, as an introduction to more
efficient measures that might have been dictated
by experience, and would thus, if in no other
way, have effected much good. Of the fate OF
Mr.. Ewings project, and of the amendment ct
Mr.. Rives, the country is fully aware. 1t is
known to all that committee Of the Senate at
the head (Which was Mr.. Clay, reported, INSTEAD
of the project of the honorable Secretary OF the
Treasury, a bill chartering ''an old-fashioned
Bank" with the full knowledge that such bill
could not receive the approval of the President.
WHY this was done, it is not for us to say, but
we ill say that in taking this step, the chair
man of the committee laid the groundwork of
all oft unhappy differences that have since ex-
listed and deliberately produced a schism in the
Wing ranks which has proved fatal to its entirety,
and brought about an enlargement between the
friends of Bank and the Executive, the con-
SEQUENCES of which have been disastrous in the
extreme In the conscientious exercise of the
Veto power, which followed, the President
with view to carry out the principles of
the Wing party, and to effect restoration
of the currency, by the aid OF the General
Governms mt, promised to furnish plan that
might consist with his notions OF the
Constitution, which promise he has subsequent
w redeemed, information of which fact was
given to Congress in his Message at the open
mo of the present session. The Exchequer
plan had been prepared by the Secretary Of the
Treasury and was laid before Congress so soon
as that body permitted 1t to be done, and what
ever delay h Is occurred in dsposng Of it, either
by adopting it or substituting something in its
place, is to be attributed solely to Mr.. Clay and
his exclusive friends, and no blame can, with
The slightest show of propriety, be laid to the
door of the Executive department. AS for the
ridiculous assertion that no other agency than
that of Bank can be devised which will be
adequate to the end proposed, it is downright
nonsense, as every unprejudiced mind must adj
rernment are concerned, the plan offered by
Mr.. Forward is entirely sufficient, whilst it will
furnish such basis of circulating medium as
will restore the currency to healthy condition.
So much having been SAID on the first point we
now proceed to the second
With regard to the restoration and extension
! of the national defences, what has the Admins
tration done Having found the Notifications
and the marine of the country In a state of utter
dilapidation and inefficiency, the Secretaries OF
War and the Navy Immediately set themselves
to work to ascertain the extent of reform indis-
pensably necessary to procure national safety
and protect national honor This point being
attained, those gentlemen caused estimates to
be made by the most experienced agents of the
amount of money required, and looking solely
to the great end of national security laid these
estimates before Congress at the opening of its