The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-26
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
INDIGNATION MEETINGS.


INDIGNATION MEETINGS.
A movement has been mad. in New York, which, |
we sincerely hope, will be repeated in every part OF
the country "a meeting of intelligent men, of all poll
teal parties to demonstrate against he misconduct OF
the Federal Legislature. The most active citizens in
this meeting, which held at the Exchange in |
Wall street, on Friday last men of established
and respectable character independent feelings and
undoubed patriotism. Instead of being the mere |
office seekers and members of office-seeking cques,
who are generally conspicuous in public meetings,
they respectable distinguished lawyers, sub |
san,ia merchants, and other men independent of Of
fee governmental patronage, who seek the proec.
ton of the laws in minding their own business and
to whom no other motive is attributable in political ac-
tion than socitude for the honor safety and prospe-
rty Of the country. The meeting adopted several re-
solutions in which, after recitng the depressed cond
ton of public credit Federal and State, the alarming
aspect of our foreign relations the bankruptcy Of the
Treasury and the factious spirit of the Federal Lee
gisature it declared that Congress ought without de-
lay, to pass currency bill and revenue BILL with
single eye the public interest," and without inqurng
with what party the originated, upon what
party might operate favorably unavorably; that
the financial project of the Executive deserved can
did examination and fair trial that whatever difference
of opinion existed about the question of protection
the necessities the Government must be supplied by
duties and that of the first among those necess
ties the public defence
In this meeting, things conceived and executed
in the right spirit lis voice is the voice of the People,
50 far as it goes of the real people, the substantial
| people, the business doing, business mnding people
the bone and muscle, and mind of tho community
| tie people who regard the country the common
stock and not the exclusive property OF aparty,
clique few self seeking politicians, without scru-
pies who kindly condescend sacrifice the country
for their benefit; the people to whose votes mem
bers of Congress the little brief authority which
| they abuse, by negecting the only purpose tor
which it was granted. Whether Congress will listen
| to this voice, thus far proclaimed in New York, Is
"A NJ l,ht nrod ov,Ir
troic citizen will deny its duty listen and obey
But this voice is now proclaimed by portion only
ofthc real people, in single city and therefore may
be sighted by Congress the voice Of small minority,
we are soicitous have the Infection spread over
the country, to hear affirmative response to this
will from all quarters; for believe that the real
People, in all parts of the country, feel alike on the
| subject. Therefore let us have similar meeting
here. Let the merchants, and mechanics, and prac-
Using lawyers compose and direct it, and let them
permit political cques partisan hacks to speak
| for them.
In reviewing the history of Congress for the last
four months we find almost every thing to condemn,
and scarcely any thing to approve. We find it com
posed Of three parties each of which seems intent up
the Presidential election for 1915, and TWO of which
seem willing to sacrifice all public interests to such
object. These ale the ultra "Whg" party, the ultra
"Democratic" party, and the Administration" party
The first of these locks forward to the election of Mr.
Clay to the Presidency, as its princp1l and the de-
feat Of the present administration as It's secondary OBJ
Finding itself opposed DOtn OF the
itis apprehensive of defeat and therefore firmly re-
solved if it must fall to drag the weakest of its oppo-
nents, the administration" party, into the same gulf
with itself. If it cannot win the battle, it will lash
it's ship to its enemys, and blow up both 1t says,
| eff Mr. Clay cannot reign Mr.. Tyler shall not +! II
zoe can gain nothing, neither shall he and his party p
Intent this scheme, this party opposes every move
ment project and appointment of the Executive, with
out stopping TO consider the mschievous result to the
country of such opposition. But the plan of this par
nv extends farther. By embarrassing, effeCtuay
stopping the government, leaving the Treasury bank
rupt, the public creditors unpaid and the country de-
fenceess ii hopes to throw upon the Executive the
odum of such difficulties, and TO lead the people into
the belief that nothing but rallyng around Mr.. Clay
and electing him to the Presidency restore pub
lie prosperity.
The second of these parties, the ultra "Democra-
tic" party looks forward to the recovery OF Its pot
cal ascendancy as its principal object and the embar
rassment of the Executive as one OF its means Like
the ultra Whign party, it willing to leave the
country in all kinds of difficulties, for the purpose of
leading the people to believe that the election Of Mr.
Van Buren,, or some other nominee of the C Demo-
cratic" party, is the only curative OF all public evils
| The " Administration" party in Congress though
doubtless seeking the reelection OF the President IS
disposed to give fair trial to his suggestions for the
public defence, and for raising and disbursing re-
venue for the support of the Government and if it
really be no better than either of the other two in
motive and object it is incomparaby more patriotic in
action Admitting for the sake of argument, that 1t
would sacrifice the country for political power, and
that such power is its only present object, we can
still see that it has the advantage both OF the
Others in seeking its object in attempts to promote,
and sacrifice public interests. If we estimate
the motives of parties by their acts and bound
in common charity to take this guide when we have
no other, we compelled to consider the "Admins-
tration party rather patriotic than the other
two since is really trying to do something for the
present difficulties while the other two seem bent on
preventing any thing from being done. We speak of
the eriremes, the ,ttras of each party.
In the midst Of these legislative conflicts, the Exc
cutve is engaged in selecting honest and intelligent
| and moderate men for Office, in urging upon Con-
gress the necessities of the country, and in faithfully
and ndustriously and anxiousy discharging its own
peculiar duties.
We admit that Mr. Clay and Mr. Van Buren, are
men Of eminent talents, and have been faithful and
efficient public servants and that of them has
made, so either of them would make, good Presi-
dent But ask every patriotic citizen if he is not
paving too dearly for WHISTLE" in sacrificing pub
lie interests the election of either? If the rrea
sury be empty it ought to be filled before the next
election If the country be defenceess and the as
pect of foreign relations be threatening, resides
should not be left to the contingency of an enemy's
forbe arance till Mr. Clay Mr. Van Buren, can take
the Executive chair If public creditors suffer
ing for want of Governmental punctuality Con
gress should not compel them to wait for justice UNI
til 1845 If the revenue be without agent, and at
the mercy of State Banks, it ought to be placed IN
some safe custody without delay
These are solemn considerations for the people
We say that without the least reference to nert cleo
tons they should rally round the Executive while
is doing its best for the country, and in tones OF IN