The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-17
fiscal and other projects connected


with the public service AS for ourselves,
way wardness and procrastination of legis-
latve assemblies, to become impatient un-
der their infections however enormous, but
1oitt the people be content to groan under the
present pressure If we know the freemen of
America, they will not be satisfied to see ruin
and disgrace taking possession Of this fair land
without some effort to relieve themselves from
the incubus that weighs down the national en-
ergies, under the name of party feeling, and
stops the circulation of the life blood of the body
polite. Did the evils under which the People
OF the United States now suffer spring from
reach of cure, there might be some apology for
those entrusted with the management of public
affairs, but such is not the case The channels
of business have been choked up by former
misrule, the resources Of the country have been
absorbed by the si,endthrift profusion Of antece
dent administrations, in attaining partisan ends;
both arms of the national defence have been
suffered to dwinde and become nerveless for
the want of their legitimate supplies, that have
been withheld in endeavoring to produce an APP
pearance of economy, in itself illusory and fall
lacious, and now the ordinary operations of the
Government are hindered and trammelled by
the Vaccinations of partisan aspiranrs, whilst
the people are begging for bread and receiving
at the hands of their rulers stone. Can gen
tlemen be so weak and creduous as to think
that such things can exist and not call forth the
indignation of an abused and intelligent con
stituency, or do they imagine that the honest
yeomanry Of the land are SO stutifed by partisan
friends and those who trample under foot the
appeals Of patriotism and good faith? If they
suppose that such is the case, they will find
themselves mistaken and learn when too late
the deceptiveness of such vain imagnations.-
1t may be that Congress fatters itself that the
nation will be satisfied with the idle hue and
cry so industriously raised in certain quarters
about party pledges broken and promises unre
deemed. Here, too, they make gross miscal-
culation. There are times in which such pre-
fences might avail, but those are times very diff
ferent from the present. Party drill and ma
chinery to the contrary notwithstanding, there
yet remains in the country sound sense and pa
triotsm of feeling that can discern and appreciate
honest, single-minded erertion for the public
good, and reward it with confidence, whilst they
will reject with Indignation the zeal that centres
in sef-advancement.
We intend no disrespect to Congress, but, if
that body does not wish to bring disrespect
upon ITSELF it will learn before it is too late that
actions and not a0ords, a0ords, aoords, are the
passports to popular confidence. Let our for
eign relations be regarded-let our defences
be attended to-let our treasury be replenished-
let the industry of the country be cherished and
protected-in a word, let the wants of the ma
ton be supplied and then, but not umtiI then,
will men in public trust receive the respect and
Difference due to faithful and prompt dis
charge of duty.