The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-21
FOR THE MADiSONlAN'
PARTY PRESIDENTS.


PARTY PRESIDENTS
"Those who not for us are against US, Is the
uncompromising motto of party discipline a d'sci-
pine which, like the bed of Procrustes reduces the
short and the long TO the stature, and admits OF
standard of merit but blind conformity to Its VIII.
The wild storm ofparty spirit has swept with tornado
violence over the institutions of our Republic pros
aed its prosperity and will yet howl ovei its des'ruc
ton, unless true and firm patriotism breasts It's Jury
The politics of honesty and those of party are utterly
incompatible with each other, for the former would
inquire into the bearing of upon the public
good, and the minds of men being proverbially varl
ous those who might be united upon CERTAIN measures
would differ upon Others universal agreement marks
sinister purpose the selfish advancement of the par
ty for its sake and this being the great end, mea-
sures become only worthy of consideration as they
tend to this end and the public good is lost sight OF
in the good Of the party. AS all organizations re-
qurc to control and lead them, these leaders
are those alone who permitted to think and devise
the measures Of the party, ard to them every other
individual surenders the independence of his thought
and action; the only inquiry for him to make isis
measure sanctioned or opposed by the party to which
belong? and, accordingly it is carried out or de-
stroyed without farther investigation.
When the great mass ofthe population ofthe Union,
united under the banner of General Harrison, in OPP
position to the administration Of Martin Van Buren,,
that mass was composed of men Of every variety of
political sentiment, and their common bond of union,
was opposition to the selfish policy of administra-
ton which had political principles but such as led
the dominancy of the party and consequently, ad-
vocated every principle according to the locality of It's
popularity While such trimming would answer for
lme and, unfortunately, too long time, it finally
became apparent to the good sense of the community
and instituted the league of honest, though differing
politicians against the unanmity of selfish and die
honest ones. Had the Wing party, made up of so
many different views, found any one who would have
suited the views of each division, it must have been
by deceptous course toward each component branch
of the party and it would have been only driving out
one set devoted to their good, to introduce ano-
Their of precisely the character. No man could
entertain honest political sentiments of his own, and
agree with every portion the then Wing or Oppos-
ton party. From their own principles no political
union could have greater reason for orbearance to-
ward the sentiments of those who from their general
popularity were appointed the leaders of this union,
and the greatest evidence could have of the propre
ty of the selection and the honesty of these leaders,
was given by their daring to differ from portions Of
the party which elevated them to power preferring to
be honest men, rather than to secure popularity by
trimming and being unwilling to sacrifice what
they believed the best interests of the country to
their own good. Honesty in the administration of
our Government is its greatest security, for erroneous
measures in the minds Of all honest will correct
themselves but dishonest will seek to make every
national interest bend to the particular course or OPT
Mons upon which their own power may depend
Therefore, great national interests are much safer
in the hands of those who have the 6rmness and in
tegty of purpose to adhere to the honest convictions
of their own minds rather than to sell every sacred
principle to the moderation of blind party spirit.
Tried by these principles the present Executive has
proven itself worthy of the confidence Of every man,
who is willing to commit the safety of the country to
the honesty of its leaders w.