The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-09
THOMAS HART BENTON.

ulO HOWiiiO tHC SAPhinS AAiS"o'A~"i' ~ -
impossible to mistake the conclusive, style, and
we pity the paper that has to be bored with 1t.
He would write down any paper in America
in twelve months by writing for it. ". fIl
The article alluded to is entitled esprit of
Federalism" In single parag raph Mr.. Ben
ton stigmatizes the President and the Admins
tration with the word 'sFederai," no less than
sepen times. And the whole of this TRADE is
caused by Mr.. Benton's opposition to the Dis
tricting of the States by an act of Congress, a
subject which has never been brought before
the President, and on which he has expressed
no opinion to any one whatever! We appeal
to both men and cattle to say if this is not the
attack of mad bull. bb
The amendment to the Apportionment bill
requiring the States to be divided into distinct
Congressional Districts, passed the House by a
vote composed of both Wings and Democrats,
and, when brought before the Senate is also
advocated by both Wings and Democrats, the
Presidents views all the time unknown to any
one and yet Mr.. Benton madIy attacks the
amendment as Federal measure, and calls a
Virginia President, who has never uttered a
word on the subject, blue light Hartford Con
vention Federalst, because, 1orsooth, he dreams
the measure is approved by him!
But what makes Mr.. Benton so furious about
this matter? That he is furious, the following
sentence will show. Speaking of the President
he says he s'was formerly touch-me-not when
the rights of the States were concerned, but
seems to have found, in the political kiss Of
Webster, the oblivious seal OF all his former
principles. To the old Federa,ists this whole
movement is regular and natural"
The "whoe movements" Is it a movement
Of the Presidents or Mr.. Webster's2 Butwhat
cause self is concerned, deeply concerned in the
matter If the Stale of Missouri is districted,
that moment power departs from Mr.. Benton
How often, during the last three days, has Mr.
Benton pictured the election of a certain gentle
man to Congress in the south of the State, if
the amendment could not to be defeated-a gen.
tleman whom he has feared and courted for
years? And how many other opponents, mo-
rally and relgiously, (though not altogether so
in politics. would Mr. Benton see returned, if
the odious Districting system should be adopt
ed Poor man. He has reached the zenith
of his glory,a must now begin his downward
course How low'wi he sink? But who kaoaus
that the President will approve the measure
But the most ridiculous absurdity of this ebul-
Iition of the mailman, is the following tremen
dous thunderbolt aimed at the President. He
SAYS the President recommends ruInous and
DEGRADING and Distribution law"
Now, it is true there is nothing "surrept-
tiously obtained" in this precious titbit of in
formation-no PRONUNCIATION of private and con-
fdental communications--no dishonorabe and
degrading violation of the sanctty of Cabinet
secrets-but aohat is it? 1t is asserted with too
much boldness and audacity to be branded with
the term falsehood. Notwithstanding our posi-
the knowledge to the contrary, we almost fear
to say it is untrue, simply because his assertion
is so positive and peremptory. We'll, we will
not contradict the charge as 'fatty' as our in
clination would lead us to do. We will be pru
dent and noncommitta We will merely say
with all due Difference, and desire to be cor
rected, if in error, that we imagined, supposed,
believed the Democratic presses, from one end
of the land to the other, crossways and length
ways, were, but few weeks since, lauding the
President, in the most hearty terms, for recon-
mending the "repenl" or indefinite ''suspen-
sion'' of the Distribution bill. If we are mis-
taken, if we have only been dreaming-thrown
into a mesmerc sleep by the gentle manipula-
lions of the Independent, then, in pity, let Mr.
Benton call up his sleeping resolution in relation
to the Post Office affair and the Madisonian,
summon us before his committee, and face to
face rouse us from our trance by one hearty
roar
We have word Of admonitlon for Mr. Ben
ION, which we would preface by saying that nei-
ther the Executive, nor the editor of this paper,
desire TO wage war against him. We have
never wantonly attacked him. From the first we
have acted on the defensive. Thus we will
continue to act. But we would admonish Mr.
Benton to cease his unworthy, unmanly, and
Improbable assaults on those who do not wish
to entertain any enmity against him. They will
not cross his PATH if he does not attempt to
trample on them But if he shall make such
an attempt he may rely upon it that he alone
will be the sufferer. We hare an exposition
before as from the pen Of e. M Ryland, Esq.
q high-minded and honorable Democrat, lrho
stood and stands high IN the confidence Of Gen
Jackson and Mr. Tan Buren, aohich zee may
be tempted TO PUBLIsH-PuBLIsH, sIR-AH PUB
LISH.
HERE GOES
More wonders are appearing, and here is something
fine that we cannot omit to notice. 1t comes from the
land of notions"
"a useful invention for these hard times has just