The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-22

think II matter OF no IMPORTANCE that their ho"o
and truth should be forfeited!
| We have parted with all power and put it into the
hands OF our representatives. They are our aeehu
We cannot act, and these agents are slumDerihe a'
their posts. They are discussing who shall be the
next President, and are inattentye to their dut'os
| and who can gainsay it
We have difficulties it is true, but do not wish to
magnify those difficulties. Long distant may De tnat
| day when shall have a contest with natloh
which speaks our own language. But are we TO
stand still at the most exposed point OF the Union =
Are to stand Indifferent when a delicate and I'M
portant question agitaed between this country and
Great Britain, and whole line of coast is almost
without defence and nothing the ocean to meet an
enemy and on the ocean our enemy may be-
Are we to be Indifferent to the SAD state OF our
merchants and mechanics Are they to be indifferent
when their representatives slumber, and cloud Is
gathering over them plain that all may see 1t
The idea that must not act is most faacIous-
This government belongs to the people, and when our
representatives sleep their posts they lst be
manded by their constituents And know that if the
men who have assembled in this Hall unite properly
on this question, they can send forth an impulse as
from the heart of their constituents which will be felt
IN every extremity Of the country
An influence can 60 from New York more power ul
than from any part OF the United States.
Shall this influence 20 fsrth2 Shall We tell our
representatives. that they must attend to their legitimate
dues2 Shall there be any preference tor men! Shall
be told that this the time to agitate it2 No.
, restore prosperity to the country.
We are amped in debt. And does any man doubt
that there is but way TO pay It, and is not mat by
direct duty? AS to that question, no matter
what Calhoun says, it is settled.
We must pay it by duties the merchandise i'm
ported into this country. If there is oh way to
fulfil the obligations of the Government TO provide
national defence, and to maintain national honor
why not lay on the duties at once
All agree that whether there to be discrimn at
ing duties or not there to be duties and that we
to provide for the payment Of the national debt
and for the economical wants of the country and for
the defence of the country.
These are not propositions which we can doubt,
and we or come not here to laud man or another
or aid him to be President to be asprant to that
Office but to influence Congress to do their duty. And
believe and express it here with all the solemnity
that belongs to the sentiment that if they return home
without doing than they have done, they will de-
serve the scorn of the whole nation
New York must come back to her revolutionary
remedies and must here or elsewhere appoint a
Committee of Safety.
If they who have sworn to protect us deprive us OF
our defence, If they under the most solemn obliga-
tons will discharge every duty which devoves on
them, the people must take care of themselves, in
their own primary assemblies with committees
chosen by themselves.
do not imagine that any event will arise, which
will require it. Far distant be it from But it
disasters would ensue from the people rising en-
masse, not to advance party depress another,
but to their common country.
General Tallmadge then moved the following reso-
luton which was adopted.
Resolved That these resolutions be published and
copies sent to each House of Congress, and also to
each branch of the Legislature Of this State, as being
equally amenable with Congress to public censure
| The meeting then adjourned.