The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-04
To the Hon. Willie p. Mdngum !:

| ~ S!tS <1OH VLutS II. uOU&uW.
We live in strange times We see men hold
ing the highest Offices in the nation, as well as
the lowest ones, exerting all their energies &c
crush the hand that gave them position. Clerks
Poslmasters, and the numerous army of office
holders, are assisting in the wholesale abuse Of
the President for exercising his constitutional
rights. We see the heavy artillery of both par
ties used for the sole purpose of mmoIating a
man that received the votes of more than mil
lion and quarter of People for the second Office
in their gift. Petty clerks, even under his very
nose, sheer at any effort made to place him in
true light before the People. Well-there is
a point beyond which forbearance ceases to be a
virtue-(by the way, you once commended strong
| iy that the American System" of Mr.. Clay
| was the very pont)-and this great "army Of
| 100, 600 Office holders" which was held in SO
much horror by you and your allies in the late
campaign, cannot complain of the justice OF
| their fate, when it will be decided upon. You
know that these individuals have long been the
worshil 'pers of MIR. Clay, and the enemies Of
every thing Republican and Democratic. When
let loose, their tongues are unbridled, and they
hesitate at no means in advancing the interests
of the Ashlander
Can you blame Mr.. Tyler then, ask, if he
makes few of them walk the plank He has
been too lenient already, and | trust he will
sweep the Augean stables that everywhere meet
the eye. He cannot be sustained, unless the
measures of his Administration arc carried out
according to his wishes; and there is no way
of succeeding in doing this, but by placing his
friends around him. | am no advocate of pro-
scrption for opinions sake, but l do not think
this can be called such.
Notwithstanding the difficulties of Mr.. Ty-
ler's position, it is noble one, and must entitle
him TO the gratitude of thousands who have LOST
every thing by the rascaly conduct of the Bank
ing institutions of this country, and more parli
| cularly that mass of corruption which succeed
ed, though situated in the citg of Philadelphia
in controlling the free expression of opinions
of the Peoples representatives. He resisted
though at the head Of large majority, the die
tation of one man and, in viewing Mr.. Tyler's
| situation, he must be fool or knave who could
doubt the purity OF his intentions from the pre-
misses laid down. He did not however, hest
tate. With vindictive and powerful foe he had
| nothing to expect, when the Rubicon was pass
ed-and pass it he did gloriously and triumphant
ly. He saw no politician willing to defend him
in his hour Of peril. Those of the Democratic
party, who admired the patriotism of the deed
had been too long under party drill and tactics
| to come forward in his defence; and caucus
silenced the public expression of an almost
unanimous opinion.
Are not instances like these disgraceful to any
Republic And yet the People of the United
States have long been kept in utter ignorance Of
this gagging system, and scarcely believe that
the natures Of g honorable" men should be sc
debased. They are now beginning to see it,
however, even in your own ranks, and no candi-
date of caucuses or conventions can hereafter
expect much from the masses-they have taken
the matter into their own hands, and the spon-
taneous meetings held every where in favor OF
the President, show p'ainly that he is not with
out friends, and though not "party" drilled, that
his forces will not be found undsciplined.
You will find that AristocratIc Democracy
Mangum and Benton-are not watchwords of
much power The faint cry of liberty put forth
by the Missouri Senator, is but hollow sound
such as Robespierre might use, and one end
ing amidst riot and revoluton--a state from
which every true patriot must pray the Almighty
to protect us. The loud Drawings of men who
have No feeling in common with the People,
may for time succeed in sowing the seeds of
error, but when cool reason is left to combat
it, no true Republican will fear the result. You
may sound your loudest timbrels-'cry havoc
and let slip the dogs Of war'-you did that pre-
vious to the last elections, but where were the
Legislatures that joined you? Did any of them
utter syllable of censure on Mr.. Tyler, or as
sist in the slang and abuse put forth by Mr.. CLAY
in his letters2 Not one!
Believe me, sir, there Is a brighter, purer,
higher feeling lately perceptbe in our political
atmosphere, and naught but the winnings Of the
demagogue and hireling can disturb the beauty
of the prospect. These, however, INST prove
evanescent, and wither like a dirty mass of
smoke beneath the noon-tide brightness OF the
glorious orb of day.
HARVEY BIRCH.
COMMUNICATED.
V,VI M