The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-12
THE CRISIS AND THE ISSUE-No. v

THE CRISIS AND THE ISSUE-No vi.
Ii 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 hardwood displayed by the lead
| ing spirit of the movement. That it required
all The reckessness of which humanity is capa-
bic, there can be no question:; but that it should
be followed up by determination to destroy
| every one that might throw an obstacle in its
desolatng pathway, we did not expect We
had looked upon the course of Mr.. Clay as only
dictated by that irrepressbe feeling of passion
and malignity which has always characterized
him when thwarted in his views of per sonal
ambition and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of power We
imagined too that in his declining ears 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 vigor 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 astonished at
The dying effort Of one to whom many looked
as leader. We hoped for the olive branch of
peac and we have been thrown the firebrand
of di cord and d i,unon
But THE ISSUE has been made, and we do no,
fear TO meet it, 1t is one, however, which needs
but little argument TO OPP ose, and might be left to
the jury without anything more than bare state
ment of the results which must accrue if the
plaintiffs were successful in sustaining their
positions. In showing causes why change Of
the Constitution should be made, we suppose
the following was considered the strong one
viz
That ii has e6ectually prevented the carry
ing om 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 10 the few at
the expense of the many. 3. Distribution Of
the puolc 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 q 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
| MAMMOTH And. even if the stock were taken.
would the People be disposed again to suffer all
the ills, enormities, and frauds, which have been
pracused, and continue TO be practsed by the
thousands of soulless corporations at present
throughout the country One would think that
the homely proverb ga burnt child breads the fire."
had but little effect upon us, if at this late day,
we were 10 belle It. do not doubt, no Never,
that strong arguments can be urged in favor of a
Bank by the advocates of a strong government
for am one of those who believe that when a
Bank is obtained, every other Federal measure
follows in its wake. Once give that par Y the
moneyed power, and it will require another re-