The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-06
THE PRESENT SESSION.

Al the close OF the last session il was natural
to ask, "what has been done 2"-so, at the com
mencemenr of the present session. il is ques-
ton that suggests ITSELF "what will be done?"
What will be done for the good of our COM
mon country, for the advancement of lis best,
highest, and most enduring interests, for the
promotion and perpeluity of our free instiiu-
lions, so intimately connected with the greaI
cause of human liberty throughout the world
To Congress there should be but one end, one
aim, one great, paramount and overwhelming
object, that should tower above all the selfish
and unworthy interests of cabals and factions
he good, the greatest good of our common
country There are deeper and higher interests
than those attained in the accomplishment OF
| any selfish purpose Of any man or set Of men.
II is not so much matter who shall fill high and
responsible Offices, as how they shall be filed,
aud what measures shall be adopted
What will be done2 VIII the session be
consumed in Presidenl-making Will the great
test of each measure be, what bearing will il
have on the next Presidential election whose
prospects will it brighten, or whose claims de-
press who Of the distinguished men, whose
names are mentioned in connection with that
aigh post will il elevate, or who will it injure
instead OF the thrilling the momentous ques
ton, how will particular measure bear upon
the great interests of tue millions Of our Repul-
lie, and how upon the interests Of the multiplied
nillions, who will throng, in afie. times, the
cities, the valleys, the mountains and the plains
If this powerful nation!
The American People look for some repose
from the everlasting excitement and tumult OF
President making. Away from the circles OF
party leaders, and politicians and professions,
,way from their eternal clamcr, in the depths Of
he honest and patriotic hearts of the People,
among the farmers, the mechanics, the mer-
chants, the daily laborers, there is but one,
here can be but one desire, and that is for re-
pose from the strife of President-makng. II
We could visit every peaceful Preside in this
,road land, and in free and unrestained inter
course hear the sentiments of all classes, the rich
Is well as the poor, we should hear but one ex-
preston, but one desire, and that is for cessa
ZION of the hostlities and the violent conflicts OF
President-making, and for one peaceful, quiet,
industrious session, devoted TO the public good
10 the best interests Of the whole People, where
the lofty impulses of patriotism would quicken
every heart, and Congress present the noble
spectacle Of talent genius, learning, influence,
industry, eloquence,-all uniting in the great
cause of our common country.
What incentives TO such a course The
greatest good OF the greatest number is the great
cardinal principle of Democratic Republican
Government and for this every true Republi
| can should strive. A member of Congress may
benefit and crafty few friends, but what is
| that as source Of agreeable reflection to him
compared with the conviction, that he has bene-
| Sted the great mass, and that every hamlet and
every cottage in the land are receiving and
enjoying the kindly and generous blessings OF
| his eflorls-that all ranks and classes ofmen ore
made his debtors, and the recipients of his good
oliices-lhat he has made the bread of labor
sweeter, and its toll lighter, and lis enjoyments
richer and more numerous. WIZ "ouiu eX~
change the warm affections Of grateful Peo-
plo, for all the adulaion of the mere time
server and offce-seeker? Who would not ra-
| Their have his name embalmed in the honest
hearts Of virtuous People, as their benefactor,
and have his name become a household name
At every 6reside, no matter how humble, and
40 matter how quiet and unostentaous
such fame would be, than live in the evanes-
cent and tickle and mercenary shouts OF few
bought or hired re,ainers?
Is fame an empty echo-the mere dew Of
mornings greatness, the mere tint OF summer
dower-the note, the thrilling, the lost note of .
delicate instrument? or is it the united and
harmonious conviction of a whole People OF
one mans goodness and true greatness the un-
oiassed suffrage of whole People, or of tn IL
viliZcd world in favor Of a common benefactor-
the spontaneous reclamation Of the whole hui
man heart in favor of great and good man, re-
peating his name in all present and future time,
as the benetacior of his country or Of his race
Such fame is worthy of generous and exalted
amblion-more enduring than brass or monu-
mental marble, and worthy of the effort of the
highest intelligence that ever came from the
hands Of the Creator.
Is there no want, no suffering in our land
that public men need not ask what is for the
common good ? Is there no cry from the Peo
pie for wise and patriotic legisaton2 Is every
thing so perfect, that no improvement can be
made2 Are taxes so light, is business so re-
vived, is prosperity so universal is suffering so
uncommon, ARE all the benefits ola free govern
nent so widely, so profusey difused, that
statesmen can do nothing more2 Let us look
TO it, that we do not err The few may have
been benefited by our legislation; and the
many may have been injured. Privileged persons
may have received favors, and the genial bless