The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-02
FOR THE MADISONIAN.

Ever since have been able to discriminate
between the principles and objects of the oppo-
sing parties, which in some form have always
prevailed in our Government | have been an
avowed member of one of them. | have al
ways been member of party, not because
approved all the measures proposed by my poll
teal friends, but because their principles APP
peared to me to approximate the nearest to the
pure doctrines of democracy. have always
been member of party, but not bound to it
| by pledge, either implied or explicit, that
| would, under all circumstances and at all ha-
yards, sanction and support every proposition IT
might choose to promulgate, without inquring
farther than, was it an article OF party faith or
| party discipline? When became member OF
party, did not become its serf 1t would be
presumptuous in me to assert or think that my
judgment has not often been misguided by pre-
possession, or biased by passion but in honest
sincerity, to the best of my ability, have al
ways endeavored to preserve in the ranks OF
my party, the same independence OF thought,
which first led me to enlist in them. lay no
claim to any special rreverancy or impecabty.
A large number within the circle of my &C
quaintance, seem to me to be no more shackled
by party ties, than hatler myself am. We
may be ranged in opposing ranks, but we are So
because our judgments have reached contradic-
tory conclusions, with regard to fundamental
principles of public polity.
am democrat. repeat that as such am
prepared to support the present Administration
provided the future but faithfully fulfls the pro-
mise of the past. True, there are many points
on which differ in opinion from the present
Chief Magistrate: but the disagreement ex-
tends to no measures of vital importance
These questions of secondary value on which
our sentiments cannot be brought TO coincide,
need not enumerate. But little sagacty is
needed to discover them. For the attainment
of great and valuable ends, plain sense incul-
Gates the necessity of conceding something in
non essentials, and, for one, am willing to make
some concession on minor points, for the secu-
rity of the great questions.
have said that am prepared to support the
present Administration because concur with
it on the most important measures which 1t has
already proposed. The merits of these mea-
sures may discuss on another occasion. But
their character is not the only, nor even the
principal motive for my decision. | think the
present an suspicious mo nent to bring back the
doctrines of Republicanism to their pristine pu-
rity No one can deny that during the lapse of
so many years, by the ingenuity of aspiring
statesmen, and the irritation of party conflicts,
the simplicity of the old Jefersonian Republi-
cansm has been complicated by many ideas of
constitutional doctrine and Of Governmental
expediency. These excrescences should be
Topped off, and every true Republican, every
true friend of his country should lend his ener
gies at once towards eAecting the good work.
Now is the propitious time. The President is
identified with neither of the two great contend
ing parties, and therefore he is not pledged TO
the advocacy of any popularity of doctrines
which either may have engrafied on the simple
principles which we have inherited from the
days OF pure Republicanism. Of the Republic
can school he has always been an avowed dis
ciple. Though he may at lines have strayed
from the path of strict orthodoxy, he has now
not only every inducement 10 return to first
principles, but he must of necessity retrace his
steps, and commence his new career al the old
starting place. Such is his position, and hap
py one il is for the country All its friends have
now the fairest opportunity of abjuring their he
resies--the only opportunity with which they
| can for years be blessed.
| | for one am inclined to seize the opportunity
of eliminating every article OF political faith,
whose orthodoxy is dubious.
| This letter has exceeded The length proposed,
and here stop for the present. shall probably
return to this subject at another time.
A DEMoCRArrc REPRESENTATIVES,.