The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-25
THE FoREsHADowINGs OF THE FUTURE.

Every person who has paid the slightest at
tention to the signs of the times, cannot but
have been forcibly struck with the fact, that the
tendency of political matters foreshadows the
disruption, at no very distant day of the presen,
unnatural organization of parties, and the Tor
nation of new political associations, more con-
sonant with the feelings, the wishes, and the
prosperity of the great mass of the People. So
plain, indeed, are the proofs OF the position
here assumed, that even he who runs may read.
Demagogues cannot shut their eyes to the fact.
The most accomplished schemers can devise
no plans to avert the catastrophe.
And why should there not be new organi-
cation of parties? Why should there not be a
new political association formed, whose sole OBJ
ject il should be 10 insure a just and strictly
constitutional exercise of the powers of the Co
vernment, and an administration of the public
affairs irrespective Of the arbitrary demands Of
former political divisions, and with sole refer
ence to the happiness peace, and prosperity OF
the whole country? If the practices of exist
ing parties ever run counter to their professions,
shall not corrective of the evil be promptly
applied?
For years have the best interests of the Peo-
pie been recklessly tossed upon the rough sea
of politics, and been made the sport of the wild
storms Of partisan controversy and passion that
from time to time have agitsted and lashed it
into fury. For years have all considerations
and claims Of patriotism and popular rights been
sunk in the vortex Of mad ambition, or blind
subserviency to the despotic mandates Of party
domination. There is no single question Of
Governmental policy that has not, in due course,
lician-no interest of the country, however
vital and however closely interviewer with the
prosperity of the People and the dignity and
honor of the Republic, that has not, in its turn.
constituted the stock in trade of the political
gamblers who, from year to year, and almost
from the foundation of the Government until
the present time, have set themselves up as the
exclusive friends Of the People and conserva-
tors of their rights, and by their unholy strug-
giles for power, have marred the ublc happi-
ness, and cast distractions in the way Of
the peaceful current of the national welfare.
i
fact every attribute, power, and prerogative
of the Government, have figured, singly or col
lectively, as make-weights in the demagogical
and factious races for partisan ascendancy that
have disgraced the annals of the country, and
brought embarrassment, distress, and ruin upon
every class of its citizens.
But change has come over the spirit of the
People. They have become convinced that
the country needs repose. They see clearly
their true condition They are aware Of the
precipice upon the verge of which they stand.
They have begun seriously to inquire: For
whose benefit is it that our most important inte-
rests have for years been made the football Of
political jugglers? What have we gained by
this setting up OF our rights, our happiness, and
our prosperity, as the stakes of party gamblers ?
These are home questions. They are pondered
deeply and closely by those whose interest and
whose prerogative it is thus to scrutinize the
manner in which their vital concerns have been
managed by those who heretofore, either legIti-
mately or illegitimately, have had them in
keeping. And with the spirit of inquiry has
come hand in hand, the resolve for remedial &C
ton. The result, therefore, of this awakening
of the People, no one can doubt. 1t will end
in their determination to take charge of their
own affairs. They will discard from their con-
fidence those who have thus made merchandise
of their wants, and urged their disabil-
ties as a plea for personal advancement
who are now striving to append their in
Il III l., -. f..
supreme rule-and thus again unwarrantably and
recklessly subjecting them to the hazards and
blighting influences of partisan warfare, and to
the caprlces and delays OF a prolonged contro
versy-dooming them, in short, without law
and without reason, to abide the fate of the ia
vorte of faction, or the uncertain destines of
a restless and turbulent cabal and this, too,
without single thought of or regard for the
manifest injustice OF their course, or the ruin
which, in the meanwhile, they are inevitably
entaing upon every class of the People, and the
embarrassment they are visiting upon the Gov
eminent, and those who are honestly and legally
entrusted with its administration and held re-
sponsbe for its efficiency and purity These
indeed, are but snail matters in their estimation
so that Caesar may yet be arrayed in the purple !!
But, we have said, the People are every
where becoming sensible of the injustice which
is thus done hem--of the disregard in which
their rights and interests in fact held by the
mere politician or political gambler of the day.
They feel that their happiness and welfare
must be held paramount to all matters that may
enter into the calculations Of those who are
striving for power only as the means of crafty
ing their own selfish desires, and who may or
may not, when that power is attained, take into
consideration the wants Of the People, and ap-
ply. with honesty and imnartialiv the remedies