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

mechanics who entered into contracts for the con-
struc'on Of vessels of and various other matters
| connected with the public defence. And these men,
judging from things at w ashington to be turned
away from the Treasury and sent back to their homes
In despair, cusing the bad faith of the Government,
| which cheated and derauded them. "a
| Feow-citizens this is not all The intelligent men
of this country look only the present disastrous
state OF things and see toe pressure which bows down
the people to the earth, but intelligent and reemen
looking at the glorious institutions OF their country
and looking ahead 10 see that the Republic shall re-
ceive no harm they clouds In the political horizons
relative the foreign affairs of this country which
ought to up every American citizen, to guard
against the dangers affecting national safety and
character and all the interests dear to our country
and the perlng of which will be considered hghtrca-
son against every man of this entire nation.
God forbid that we should have foreign war
May God avert the caamitous period when this coun
try is forced into a with the nations OF Europe.
But the maxlms OF the glorious w ashngton admin
isiration ought be remembered and enforced by the
| American People. "In peace prepare for Mil
lions for defence. Not one cent for tribute"
Are there no questions presented to the peoples
| minds, at this moment which ought TO awaken
to of their danger and which ought to impress
on the Legislature the necessity of speedy action
against the dangers OF sudden aggression from the ar
| rogance of European powers.
| Would not it be wisdom in Congress that such a
feeling should operate them order that they guard
against dangers which. if not provided for, may in
volve in the greatest amities 1t is not good po-
Icy to say Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof
that the crisis has arrived and that is not
ry to take reference to a state of things
which do not exist, if they do exist cannot affect
| US without giving us time to prepare for 1t.
But the true principles of policy ought to prevail.
| 1t is proper selection of The time well the
means which constitute true economy and true wis
dom.
Here private relations in most forlorn
| dton. Private enterprises destroyed the hardy la
| boreI stricken down, and the commercial in de-
spar at seeing the state of the currency and the utter
destruction of all confidence between man and man
And with this extraordinary state of things and While
the most important affairs being discussed between
Great Britain and this country, which may involve
in difficulties, not imperatvely called IL bear
up in support Of our national honor and character at
the risk of all perils and sacrifices in defence Of those
necessary and glorious privileges which We deter
mined to maintain
| l ask you is not the public mind in every direction
and in every party alarmed at that state of things
and not the mind of every alive that crisis
and alarmed at the perils which surround US?
| There is one common sentiment of apprehension
| that neglecting the duty country
and ourselves But is this sentiment to be found
where it ought to be particularly found?
When we go to the halls of legislation do find
the public servants impressed with feeling of its
necessary duties and what it to the country in
reference to speedy and udicous line of conduct.
1t is with regret that for one, in this community
Wing am, and hope always to be in reference to
those great principles which have SO long commended
for, be they right or wrong, and with Wing major
y in Congress, must express my disapprobation with
the taken by men, in reference to what they
considered their own views, because it might embar-
rass the operations Of Government; and will say
| said in reference to the glorious Admiral of Eng
land " when country is in DANGER let our
country, matter into whose hands the Administra-
| ton falls"
| Feow-ctizens, if you look to Congress, what do
you find; Do you find there the spirit or desire to
do their duty Is there such spirit ought to be
manifested, coming fresh from the body of the peo-
ple and nfusng life and vgor, and energy and ac-
| iion into that branch of the Government? Not at
all. You find there such a scene Of pickering and
personal disputes and quarrellpg with each other,
never before exhibited in the halls of Congress
having reference to the peculiar juncture which
lists
| There are the friends of Tyler, who are but a
| small band the Van Buren, party and the Wings.
The Wings have the majority in the House, and do
| not ask them to surrender the peculiar opinions
which they hold. But they are responsible for not
sacrificing their political preudices the altar Of
their common country when the danger to her is such
as to call out expression Of Wing principle-and
of men who love their country more than they love
their party.
Thera is also the Van Buren, party, watching for al
opportunity to make political capital out of the diff
culties of the times, and all equally reprehensble
in forgetting the manly and patriotic duties they owe
their country when every citizen is ought to be in
eresed in rescuing her from Distress and providing
for the dangers she is threatened with.
This Congress has been in session more than three
months what wisdom has it evinced during that peri
cd. 1t has disposed of two bills. One in reference
to Treasury notes and providing for paying mileage
and eight dollars per day to themselves. And every
other momentous measure which we supposed would
occupy the attention of Congress thrown aside
various paltry devices and excuses, as if these gen.
temen were there only for the business of Presi
dent making, and not to make laws for the relief OF
the country. They have spent days and days debat-
ing about the salary of clerk in relation to the
Il ~. e..
when called to order, were obliged to adjourn for
want of quorum, and there were also various other
means by which time was wanted. Would men in
this country patiently submit to this, and especially
from men who had but a few months back, gone out
from the body of the people, pledged to procure
tional relief and reform? But you now find them
like schoolboys pleased with rattle and tickled
| with straw, and you them thus display them
selves to the great dissatisfaction Of the people
What did we expect they would have called the
attention of Congress to- AT least that 1t should af
ford relief to the country
There is also the great question in relation to the
revenue to be provided for and the defence of the
D nation, at this moment imperiously called for by
a the voice and necessities of the nation.
Is it excuse in reference to these matters, tina
difference of opinion exists between men represent
/ ing the different interests of the community
: Is it excuse to say they had not applied them
e selves to the subject because their minds were
prepared to discuss it, They knew every thing abou
the question before they went to Congress and Ger
tainy had time sufficient to prepare themselves for it
s But it was put aside by design, in order, | an
afraid that it might embarrass the Executive branc
of the Government and thus advance their poll
teal interests
Is not this the truth, and ought it not be spoken il
the face of those magnates of the land with all thei
G power and Importance, and should we, as American
citizens be deferred from letting them know the sam
= sentiments as express herei
/ say that the question of revenue has been Sc
2 aside as device with reference to making the mex
President of this country; and it is time that thes
IF men should understand, and-though do not in
l. dviduas give up opinion to who should b