The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-24
From the Boston Mercantile Journal
CONGRESS AND THE PEOPLE.

We are again and again asked the question, on
whose head rests the responsibility OF the present ds
organized state of CongTess,-to whom are the couh
Try 10 look for remedy-and what shall the reope .,
this nation do while from every section oil our iahu
are ascending the cries and complaints OF the many
individuals who have fallen, ale falling beneath Tue
weight of their burdens We ask, then, IN The name
ofthe outraged dignity of American character ue
graded and debased by their chosen representatives III
the Capitol by brawls threats, and language, which
would disgrace a bar-room congrega tion-we ASH
them in the name of whole nation OF sufferers, anu
sufferers too, from the gr negligence ana aeiay ~
Congress- neglect of their oaths and Tie Puohc Wet
fare and then actous opposition to any measures Oh
relief coming from atcertain quarter--we ask, mem,
the represe 5ares of the people where the RESPONSE
by shoi I'D rest and to whom the people should look
for relief And while we ask them this question,
while would have every man answer 1t as best his
own conscience may dictate, We have word to say as
to the Igh, in which the people looking at Tins
matter and we assure them that sooner or later the
voice of their Indignation will make itself heard Let
them beware lest they fe with the patience OF The
people too long.
We can give an explanation, and we believe, true
one of these apparently plicabe proceedings OF
Congress in a few words. They originated In ieel'
ing of hostility the p esden the first seeds OF which
at the extra session, by the Hetoes OF the
President to the bills to establish National Bank
These vetoes it is well known, excited the indgna-
ton of many of the Wing members of Congress, as
was seen in the famous caucus denunctation OF me
Executive the close of the session. This denunc-
alton required, or approved, or confirmed
by the voice of the people. Their representatives,
acting under the influence of passion, rashy took
step, which their cooler judgment would have taught
them to have summed But having taken this step,
they could fall ack,-and it is to be regretted
that they felt compelled to go forward right or wrong
Congress met at The regular session, and the men-
beers have shown a determination to cherish the same
feelings of indignation and dstrust, which they ex-
pressed in their caucus address. Indeed, their con-
duct thus far through the session. appears to have
been wholly governed by those feelings Nearly eve
nv measure has been tinged with this spirit, and IN
stead of inqurng whether any proposed measure was
for the public benefit the first inquiry has been by the
most factious of party, Will it aid in max
ing MIR. Tyler popular p and by the regular OPPOSE
ton, Will this tend to distract the Wing party and
widen the breach between the two parts OF the same
paIty?" Look at nearly every movement since the
opening of the session. and especially during
the past month"; and all will be found to have the same
character. And now, while our strongest mercantile
houses are daily yielding to the pressure of the times
while the whole people exasperated almost beyond
endurance and Congress has become by-word OF
contempt throughout the whole land theae lcise Re
personalities q of the dear, sovereign people, are
spending TWO THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS
A DAY-and some days, we believe, have actually Ell
feced the glorious, patriotic work of cutting of hun
ded dollars year from the 800, $500, $500 saa-
ry of clerk doorkeeper, who has wife and halt
dozen children to support out OF his already stlnled
earnings. Or, perhaps, some OF the most thorough
among the members have arranged matters, that
Mr. Webster or Mr.. Forward, shall not have thelr
" contingent" until they have satisfied the House
that the two levys paid negro boy for sweeping the
dirt from the sidewalk opposite the Department build
ngs was the smallest possible sum Tor when IL couu
have been performed!
But away with this trifing. We tell the represen-
atives of the people, that they must do something for
the good of the people, They must do something
for the deranged currency; care not in what
e ho md
which will bring relief even II IL should meet he ia
ror ofAe President should be adopted by the Repre-
sen,atives of the People in Congress- We believe
we speak the voice of the Wing party generally,
when we ca on Representatives to bring forward
and pass the Exchequer bill proposed by Mr. Cush-
ING. or that Or oposed by MIR. Talmadge with such
amendments may be thought desirable provided
they do not affect the important principles OF the bill
We believe we but echo the demand OF millions,
when we say--Do this NOW. Do something while
particle remains of prosperity We call on them
in the name of outraged and deceived People,
to cease this merely tactious opposition to every
measure known to be favored by the Executive, and
to do more for the People, and less tor Inc SAKE
| of policy, prejudice, or President making. We
| call OH them to break off this habit of wrangling
and quarrellng for tres, and do some 1oork tor the
| nation Let them establish currency by an Exche-
ouer or any medium which will receive the approval
| of the President. Let them, by promptly enactag
laws to raise of twenty-sx millions by dis
criminating duties give protection to our home indus
try and place the Treasury stable footing Let
them try to change the House from an area for party
! politics and factious harangues, into place where
our Representatives may to consult together for
the good of THE PEOPLE
And we believe also that the people have duty to
perform in order to induce this Congress to change
their course and be faithful to their duties ms IN
| our opinion and we also speak the opinion OF many
of our soundes men, can best be done by their united
voice in PUBLIC CAUCUS which shall bring together
large of the people enforce the consideration
of these subjects, and by being echoed from every
town and village in our land, where our present dill
cuties are felt (and where they not felt with all
their force of distress and arrangement y shall unit
eddy send such peal Of public opinion into cur halls
of legislation, shall awaken tIom their apathy even
| the most hardened wranglers among them