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

PEOPLE.
In an article in our paper of yesterday, OF
which the above was the caption, we endeavor-
ed to furnish a concise sketch Of the clrcum-
stances under which the present Administra-
ton entered upon the discharge of its official
duties, and the course which has been pursued
with reference to the action of the Executive by
portion of those who exercise the legislative
functions Of the Government. The short re-
view then presented, was intended to be intro
ductory to course of inquiry before the PEG
Pile of this UNION as to the fidelity with
which the obligations Of the respective depart
ments of the public service have been discharg
ed. In instituting the proposed investigation it
may be proper to say that our main object is to
place accountability where it properly belongs,
and thus enable the constituency of the country
to pass sentence on the all important question
of blame or approval of the conduct of the ser
wants of the public. AS truth is our object, we
would here invite the attention of persons of all
parties to the matters at issue; and would, in
furtherance of that object, request republica-
ton of these articles by all of the public jour
nails of the country.
1t would be idle at this late date to enter into
a minute analysis of the Message of the Presi-
dent addressed to Congress at the commence
ment of its present session; and we shall only
turn to its prominent features for the purpose of
showing how far the views and pledges contain
ed in that instrument have been carried out and
redeemed by its author. In speaking of our TO-
reign relations, the President offers a succinct
and comprehensive statement of the position in
which we stood with reference to foreign pow
ers, and more particularly of the points of diff
Guilty that had arisen between the United States
and Great Britain and, whilst we would not
claim for this portion of the Message any highly
wrought encomium as to style, we will venture
to say that even the most prejudced of the OPP
ponents of its author cannot withhold from it the
need of praise for clearness, conciseness, and
manliness of tone In regard to the causes of
controversy with England it must be acknow-
lodged that the peculiar circumstances under
which the two countries stood in relation to each
other, added to the local excitements incident to
some of the matters in dispute, were such as to
require no ordinary tact and ability on behalf of
those who were charged with their manag
Having to deal with Government at all times
tenacious of real or supposed right, and to a
most surprising degree ignorant of the genius
Of our confederated institutions, on the hand,
and the very delicate question of State sove-
rpignty on the other the National Administration
could not but find it an arduous task to promote
the honor of this country and repress within due
limits the assumptions of Great Britain, recog-
milton of which must have amounted to a total
disregard of the just claims Of one of the most
patriotic and powerful members of the national
confederacy. OF the digni6ed and satisfactory
manner in which the Mcleod case, as it is
called, was disposed of, its result furnished per-
haps the most honorable evidence whilst it also
presents the strongest proofs of the proprety of
permitting Ian to take the place of violence and
Incorporate passions. Nor have the ability and
firmness of the President and his advisers been
manifested in this instance alone; in proof of
which, we have only to turn to the measures
pursued and the grounds taken with reference
to the Caroline outrage and the attempt at the
exercise of an alleged right of search by British
cruisers, in contravention of the long establish
our National Flag.
AS connected with the domestic policy of the
country no question has claimed more impera-
lively the attention of the Executive, as well as
the Legislative branch Of the Government, than
the establishment Of an uniform currency, and
Itbo vicio IF a H-co al for tbo
| ment and the President having felt himself con-
strained on previous occasions to differ from the
representatives Of the people, as to the mode in
which these objects were to be effected, had
promised to present such scheme as, to his
mind, should appear constitutional, and at the
same time be adequate to the end Nor has the
| pledge thus made, been suffered to pass as an
empty assurance inasmuch as in the document
referred to, the outline of plan is presented for
the consideration of Congress, the details OF
which were forthcoming so soon as a re.
quest on the part of that body placed the Exc
cutive at liberty to act in the premises. OF the
merits of the scheme thus offered, it is not ou1
business here to speak, but be they what they
may, the hardness Of Congress in making q
final disposition Of the subject, presents most
striking contrast when compared with the
promptitude with which Mr. Tyler acquitted
himself of the duty which he had assumed, no
in discharge of an official responsibility, but IL
promotion of what he deemed the best interest:
of the community. We must here be permitted
to observe, in connection with this branch of on
subject, that Notwithstanding the urgent neces
sites of the country and the depressed state o
public credit, ,oeeks were suffered to eapse before
the representatives of the people thought prope