The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-24


ed already in their application to the present Ad-
minlslraton. AT period too, which, II the
most systematic efforts had been adopted, would
not, IN this short space of time, have consummated
such state of affairs yet corrupt presses, as
an evidence of their skill in what they most de-
precate, apply these set terms to every measure
proposed. Hence is found in every press of this
stamp. IN terms Of burning Indignation, flaming
appeals which, if your eyes did not convince
you OF their falsity, you would imagine that
some event had surely arrived by which we
were threatened with immediate and universal
destruction. Fancied abuses, which exist no.
where but in the depraved imagnings of those
who originate them, owing their birth to their
own phrensied brains, are set forth in all the
candor OF actual existence; and the Admins
tration is denounced as one Of most shameful
corruption. These presses, whose very names
are synonymous with every thing corrupt, dis
honest, and venaI, are the first which raise the
cry of virtue, honesty, and truth. The men
connected with them, who have gone through
vicissitude of corruption and dishonesty until
they are callous to all sense of the one the
other, are those whose virtue is aroused against
by an order of affected patriotism, they strive
to infuse the country with similar feeling; but
their efforts so papable that the very intelli-
gence they appeal to as surety of their success,
will render their hypocrisy unavailing. No
mea ure, however wise, polite, or expedlent to
their eyes, partakes Of any quality short Of the
opposite of these. The ready made terms of de-
nunciaton are applied to it the moment it
comes from the hands of the Executive.
This is the method adopted to decide the me-
rit on the part Of such presses, of the claims of
any Administration measure. If their excess
sive lamentations are any evidence of their real
feelings, they prove themselves outraged by the
very act they unknowingly commend. For the
exercise of freedom of mind and action on the
part of Executive authority has incurred
their deadly hostility. The privilege they
would keep undisputed to themselves is de-
nounced, when exercised by others, and poll
teal proAigacy is the vice of the one, whilst
unqueslioned. honesty is the virtue of the
other.
Corruption, in the true sense of the word,
when it did exist, was ground of complaint
from which no one could dissent. There was
a period when political prohigacy had attained
sucha degree OF perfection, that the most refined
analysis could not reach it. To have measured
its extent by the common standard of honesty,
would not have answered the minutest part. But
this day of misrule has happily given place to
an honester zeal in the cause of public virtue.
The standard by which political honesty is to
be determined is not in the hands of those who
would fegn be the judges in this case of alleged
corruption and misrule. A less impartial and
more exalted tribunal will be the arbiter. The
charges having no application to the present
time, and bearing no analogy to the present Ad-
ministration, the WORKOUT charges against
those which have passed away will have no
weight in their Judgment. The characters of
those who institute this array Of charges will
be placed in contrast with those against
whom they are made; and the inference
will be drawn from the representations OF lnte-
rested politicians on the one side, and the efforts
of those to secure an equitable administration Of
the Government on the other.
Itmay be deemed folly TO allude to the politi-
cal character Of these presses in connection
with regard for integrity; or to suppose that
any structures upon their course, marked as it is
by every abandonment of fair argument, for in
discriminate abuse, will deter them from it. Nor
is it to their justice, if justice can be suppo sed
to exist with the qualities they possess, that we
appeal To those who are influenced by their
representations we would address ourselves.
The absurdity Of the cry Of corruption, and
the other set phrases of abuse, when there is no
existence of them, is apparent at every view.
1t will become so familiar to the public ear, that
Its vibration upon it will no longer be of any
USE 1t is to suppose that the country, when
laboring under these actual evils, cannot per-
ceive its danger. That when corruption is
working within its vitals, its effects can not be
felt and that continued practice of dishonesty
cannot be discovered Upon the same principle
that we become calous of familiarity with
distress, this incessant cry will be unheeded by
the country even at the time it will be most ne
cessary for its safety.
CASSIUS.
President Tyler has sent second communication