The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-15

Gu ny MI JOnuSOu, Ou HIS uIOtoH tuC SOsc was
taken on the call, and decided in the negative.
A petition presented by Mr.. Arnold, purport-
ing to come from certain citizens Of Virginia,
and praying that Messrs. Wise, Marshall, and
Adams, should be censured for their course in
the case of the Haverhill memorial, produced
some delay. The question of reception was
raised, and laid on the table. The regular busi-
ness then went onward.
Mr.. Choate addressed the Senate yesterday,
in favor of the Tariff resolutions of Mr.. Clay.
ULTRA MEASURES AND ULTRA MEN.
In contest between political parties, where
numbers are nearly balanced, and where both
sides are animated by fierce spirit of opposi-
ton, the danger public liberty is equally great
whichever party may triumph. The very means
which are used to confirm and consolidate vic
tory are destructive to freedom; and party
protesting the most democratic principles, and
the utmost regard for popular rights may be-
come as tyrannical, as selfish and as intoleranl,
as solitary despot. Each party believes, or
processes to believe that it has truth and justice
on its side, and that its triumph, however OBJ
tanned or perpetuated, is necessary to the tri-
umph of truth and justice.
We have had bitter experience of this, and
that not very remotely, in our own country. We
have seen large party, comprising much OF the
worth, intelligence, and patriotism of the coun-
try, as much excluded from any practical share
in the administration Of our Republican Go
vernment as if they were aliens or slaves. We
have seen them, after long, and weary contest,
burning with the unrequited wrongs and humi-
liations Of years, at length flushed with victory,
and, on the eve of "bettering the instruction"
they had received, and repaying, with interest,
the real or imaginary outrages to which they
had been subjected. That party in this atti-
tude should turn all its violence and bitterness,
even upon its own friends, who dared 6 come
between the dragon and his wrath, is more to
be regretted than wondered at.
But, what would have been the consequence,
if the ultra leaders of the Wing party, urged on
by those who were hungry and camorous for
the spoils of victory, and for the fruits OF trl-
umph in every shape-office and revenge-had
met nothing to check them in their career but
the remonstrances Of the vanquished2 They
would have succeeded in infusing into the new
minority the same spirit of vindictiveness and
determination which had animated them. That
minority, it is confessed, comprised that portion
of the people most liable to be led astray by
passion; and, as party, they had been more
disciplined by, and were more amenable to, party
drill and tactics. Against such minority, If
ultra meas ures had been enforced with the ut
most rigor, nothing could have secured the
Wing victory, but such strengthening of the
Gov eminent, and such an employment of its
power and patronage, would have left the
people at large but little liberty to boast Of
The result Of continuance of such contests
must be anarchy, or the final subjugation of one
or the other party, and the creation of virtual
aristocracy, or abolition of Republican form of
Government.
Under free government those are the wsest
statesmen, as well as the best patriots, who in
cucate, in all public measures as the first requi
site, a spirit of moderation and COMPROMISED
voluntary yielding of something to the claims,
or clamors, if it be so, of the minority. Where
there is any freedom at all, there must be free
dom of opinion and of conference.-the right to
discuss and object and where that exists, right
itself, too fercely pursued, becomes wrong and
truth falsehood The maintenance of public
tranquility is in itself greater good than can
be obtained by any system of public economy
or plan Of finance
When Mr. Webster, after having used
his ablest exertions to procure recharter OF
the Bank of the United States, took occasion to
declare, in the Senate, some six years ago,
that he would never again propose such an
institution until it was ascertained that the
People were unquestionably in favor of it, he
displayed the best sort of political knowledge, as
well as of political feeling. However con-
WINGED he might be himself of the expedency
of such an institution, Gin the abstract" he was
aware that it would be inexpedient until its uti-
lily or necessity were clearly manifested to the
People and that the best mode of producing a
permanent conviction in them, was, after he had
discharged his own duty in urging and recon-
mending it, to leave the matter to time and ex-
perience-nether begeting violence IN others
by violence in himself, nor resorting to party
mannuvring or intrigue, to fasten any impor-
tant measure prematurely on the People