The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-12
THE CRISIS AND THE IsSUE-No. v


THE CRISIS AND THE ISSUE-No. vi.
If we consider for moment the aims of
those engaged in the unholY effort to break
down the Constitution we cannot but be struck
with the daring hardihood displayed by the lead
ing spirit of the movement That it required
all the reckessness of which humanity IS capa-
BILE, there can be no question:; but that it should
be followed up by determination to destroy
every one that might throw an obstacle In lis
desolating pathway, we did not expect. We
had looked upon the course of Mr. Clay as only
dictated by that irrepressibe feeling of passion
and malignity which has always characterized
him when thwarted in his views of personal
ambition and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of power. We
imagined too that in his declining years, the bitter
asperities of partisan malice would be Welded
up as peace offering on his being consigned to
the grave of political existence. We had
thought that the wounds Of our bleeding coun-
try, instead of being opened afresh, would have
been healed up by one of those compromising
panaceas, in the manufacture of which the ex-
Senator from Kentucky had become remarkably
proficient. In retiring to the peaceful shades
of any place, we supposed that the patriot
would leave no spark behind him, but one which
would rekindle with vgor the smouldering ash
es of love for our institutions, which party drill
had well nigh blotted out from the memory of
many Thinking thus, we were astonshed at
the dying effort of one to whom many looked
as leader. We hoped for the olive branch of
how hao,, III Ia Groh Il
of dis cord and disunon
But THE ISSUE has been made, and we do not
fear to meet it. 1t is one, however, which needs
but little argument TO oppose, and might be left to
the jury without nythng more than bare state
ment Of the results which must accrue if the
positions. In showing causes why change of
the Constitution should be made, we suppose
the following was considered the strong one
viz:
That u has efectudlly prereN ed the carry
ing out of unconstitutional measures, and
thus deprived Henry Clay Of an opportunity
of becoming President Of the United States.
These measures may be classed as follows ::
L. A Bank of the United States. 2. A high
Tariff, granting special privileges to the few at
the expense of the many. 3. Distribution of
the public lands, in order to increase the neces-
sty of sustaining the two former.
In regard to the first Of these, experience has
shown its utter inability to accomplish the OBJ
jects which its advocates assert. We have had
two Banks, and you will find but few that will
not acknowledge them to be sufficient for u sur
felt of such Institutions. But, without referring
to them, wi any reasonable man say that suffi-
cient stock would be taken to start another
Mammoth2 And even if the stock were taken
would the People be disposed again to suffer all
the ills, enormties, and frauds, which have been
practised, and continue to be practised by the
thousands of souless corporations at present
throughout the country2 One would think thai
the homey proverb ga burnt child breads the fire,
had but little effect upon us. If, al this late day
we were to belle It, do not doubt, however
that strong arguments can be urged in favor oil ;
Bank by the advocates of strong government
for am one of those who believe that when
Bank as obtained, every other Federal measure
follows in its wake. Once give that par TIT
moneyed power, and it will require another re