The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-11
OUR COUNTRY.

M
personal interests Of ambitious men. If all our |
institutions are preserved in their origin al pu-
rity, and the Representatives of the People are
required to secure by wise and patriotic legisla-
ton the prosperity of the nation, no doubt all
the prominent politicians will take care OF them
selves If they fall from power, no power will
be lost to the nation at least it will not be SO
great calamity to the country if the few do
suffer, as it would be to prostate the many
We assert, with solemn conviction OF its
truth, that the struggle of politicians for self-ag
grandizement, has at length become inimical
to- and war upon, the best interests of the ccun-
try. The friends Of the country will have to
encounter in deadly strife the friends and parti-
sans of ambitious leaders. One or the other
must, in great measure, be sacrificed. II the
servants of the People are made to do their bid
ding, things will be well done, and prosperity will
be restored If, on the other hand, the servants
are successful in their usurpatons, they will soon
become tyrants and trample on the rights of
the People Let us ALL as American citizens,
without distinction of party, mark we'll the con-
duct of our Representatives. Let US endeavor to
fathom their motives If their designs are not
good, it is useless to look to them for beneficial
acts. But if they have the aOilh, there is always
a qoGy.
By this rule let US judge both the Executive
and Legislative branches of the Government.
The measures recommended by the Executive
have been spread before the world. All men
have seen, and fully understand the means de-
vised by this branch of the Government to en-
sure our prosperity. They are spread QUIT to the
gaze of all They court the criticism of all.
They have been mostly approved by ALL
There can be no deception in them. And was
it because they were insufficient or dangerous,
that Congress neglected or refused to adopt
them2 Was it because the People were averse
to their trial2 Have the People instructed their
Representa- tives to sit in the Capitol for months
and years, consuming the meagre finances Of the
nation, and yet do nothing? Have they been
authorized both to disregard the recommends
tons of the President, and to abstain from sub
stitutng measures of their own2
What has been done? The Executive has
promptly acted the many momentous ques-
tons which have arisen, and which did not re-
quire the conc urrence of Congress-, and all its
acts have been successful. This, at least, should
merit the confidence of the country. No time
has been wasted by the Executive when it was
necessary for it to act. 1t has not been guilty
of any needless expenditure Of money by pro-
crastination. The officers of the Government
have not even been paid their salaries for many
months, in consequence of the delays of Con-
gress, while the members themselves passed
an appropriation for their oaon salaries immedI-
ately after assembling-if we mistake not, this
was the first bill presented to the President for
his signature.
No measure of the Executive can be con-
strued into the new anomaly of President
making by official action. The honor and well
fare of the country have been subserved by eve
nv official movement of the Executive. In short,
it has done everything it could do, on its own
responsibility, and has always been willing
and ready to cooperate with Congress In per-
fectng such wholesome measures as were de-
manded by the People, and required the harmo-
NOUS action of both branches of the Govern
ment. 1t could do no more. The President
could recommend plan Of finance and ta-
riff, but he could not pass them. He cannot re
blamed for the many weary months that have
been wasted doing nothing. He has wasted
neither time nor money He has not treated
the wants of the People with contemptuous in
difference AS far as his ability extended, he
has responded without hesitation to every call
of duty.
Congress might have passed every measure
required by the People, and adjourned three
months ago. Thus the expenditures of the Go
vernment would have been reduced many hum
dred thousand dollars. Some fiscal measure
might have been in successful operation by this
time. A tariff, sufficient to secure an ample re-
venue, might have been passed long since.
What was the object of this long delay2 Was
the motive good? If not, can expect any
rood to result from it? The Presidents re-
commentator Of tariff for revenue, with in
cidental protection, was, and is, approved by all
classes of the People, excepting only certain
class of politicians Then why has it not been
passed? Has the country been benefited by
the delay? Or has Congress postponed it for
some political purpose
It's known that the Wing majority in Con-
gress is hostile TO the President. 1t is known
that they would willingly ruin the Admnistra-
lion. 1t is known that they would take any
unworthy advantage of the President in their
power. Therefore, should the country be dis
appointed in obtaining the tariff recommended
bv the President, and approved by the nation,
will not the People be prepared to hold the real
authors of their disappointment to strict &C
countability I?
THE PROSPECT.
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