The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-18

every scribber Ia gingerbread newspaper
would discuss the defects OF the Constitution
with the dogmatism of an Aristarchus, and the
wisdom ola jackass. See the Richmond WHICH,
IL required no prophet to foretell that the ridi-
cule and denunciation, so necessarily bestowed
upon this monument of our national wisdom
would, by rapid and natural graduation, lead
TO It's violation and but 100 soon we viewed The
practical commentary on such heret'cal doc
tTines. For, while in Congress, Legislators for
got their duties, and neglected legislation, 10
cast reproach and censure upon that Conslitu-
ton, whose power gave them political existence,
their friends and followers were already exhibit
ing the zeal of proselytes, and carrying out doc
Tines they relished but too well. The whole
party delegation in the Legislative Assembly
Of Stale foIsook their posts, and by concerted
arrangement, practically exemplfed the tenden-
cies of their masters here,cal opinions. They
violated, in very truth, their oaths of office,
hound them 10 National as well as State Con-
situations; and that such conduct is violation
of the spirit OF the Constitution must be allow
ed, when the consideration forces itself upon
us that perseverance in such high-handed
measures would soon leave our National Consti-
tuition without solitary defender. For how,
at least, could the Senate be constituted, if no
representative to that body is chosen in sin
gle State and how could an individual Sena-
tor be chosen, if sufficient number of State
Legislators resign to prevent an election2
That such abominable proceedings resulted
as practical exemplifcations of this madness of
party spirit, so much fostered the last year by
designing politicians, we have not the slightest
doubt. The Wings" of Ohio felt sure of the
concurrence Of the Wings" in Congress, and
of the sympathetic appreciation Of that party
generally.
But it is chiefly on account Of their democrat
iZing influence upon the minds and morals Of
The People that we deprecate these rancorous
for selfish purposes, Constitution and laws and
which violates, without conjunction, the rule,
Of social nle'cour e, and the endtaring chair
ties Of Ii e. Certainly at no period in our ma
tional hi tory was there ever exhibited such lax
mo'alily, and such deprav.d ambition; and he
oo>CI'ee, Uut supe IuCidiy, WIN uuueIstduuS not
The too apparent causes. Besides the accus-
toned violence, which is too closely connected
with political contentious, to inhame the minds
of the People, the introduction OF the basest
selfish m, tives into every contest adds greater
strength and produces more desperate efors.
he power OF the purse is opposed to the force
Of principle; and we can well imagine that be-
tween such conflicting motives of action, severe
and holly disputed must be the contest.
To all who bold their principles dearer than
gold, who scorn to be purchased like slaves in
the market, we address ourselves in this great
peril of our liberties, and of the Constitution.
Let them rally round The old Republican banner
which still floats on the breeze, as manIully and
as steadily as their fathers in the dark days that
preceded, accompanied, and followed the revo-
luton. For now, as then, tremendous war is
to be waged, and in these times, as in those, for
principle.
We deny not that the prospect before US is aw
ful-we are not blind to the darkness of the tenn
pest which seems gathering around us-but we
see, above the clouds, the star of our Consttu-
ton, shining in distant but clear serenity; we
hail its suspicious brilliancy, and are inspired
with hope that, by its saving guidance, we
shall be enabled to weather the storm and ride
trumphantly through the gale.