The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-15
CONGRESS-.

CONGRESS-.
In the House, on Monday, Mr.. Barnard, from
,he Committee on the Judiciary, asked leave TO
,,nor bill amending the act of lS4O Tor regu-
lating the return of jurors for the United States
courts in the State OF Pennsylvania. The bill
was read twice, and, on the motion for ensross-
ment Mr.. Irwin, of Pennsylvania, expressed a
wish that its further consideration should be de-
terred till next day. A call was made for the
orders of the day, but Mr.. c. J. Ingersoll moved
suspension of the rules, that the bill might be
disposed of at once. The motion prevailed.
Mr. Irwin raised point Of order, but he was
oyerruled by the Chair, and the bill passed.
The orders of the day being the reception OF
petitions, beginning at Ohio, none of particular
Importance were presented until those from
Tennessee were pronounced to be in order. Mr..
Johnson presented petitions from that State,
praying the repeal Of the Bankrupt law. He
moved their reference to the Judiciary Commit
tee, with instructions to report forthwith OIL
suspending the operation of the law till the 4th
of March, lS43. Mr.. Chittenden moved to lay
this motion the yeas and nays were ordered, and
so voted in the affirmative and 96 in the mega
tive. The previous question having been ask
ed by Mr.. Johnson, on his motion the vote was
taken on the call, and decided in the negative.
A petition presented by Mr.. Arnold, purport-
ing to come from certain citizens of Virginia,
and praying that Messrs. Wise, Marshall, and
Adams, should be censured for their course in
the case of the Haverhi memorial, produced
some delay. The question OF reception was
raised, and laid on the table. The regular bust
ness then went onward.
Mr.. Choate addressed the Senate yesterday,
in favor of the Tariff resolutions Of Mr.. Clay.
ULTRA MEASURES AND ULTRA MEN.
In contest between political parties, where
numbers are nearly balanced, and where both
sides are animated by fierce spirit Of opposi-
ton, the danger to public liberty is equally great
whichever party may triumph. The very means
which are used TO confirm and consolidate vic
tory are destructive to freedom; and party
protesting the most democratic principles, and
the utmost regard for popular rights may be-
come as tyranncal as selfish and as intoleranl,
as solitary despot. Each party believes, or
processes TO believe, that it has truth and justice
on its side, and that its triumph, however OBJ
tanned or perpetuated, is necessary to the tri-
umph Of truth and justice.
We have had bitter experience of this, and
that not very remotely, in our own country. We
have seen large party, comprising much of The
worth, intelligence and patriotism Of the coun
try, as much excluded from any practical share
in the administration of our Republican Go
vernment as if they were aliens or slaves. We
have seen lhem after long and weary contest,
burning with the unrequited wrongs and humi-
lations Of years, at length flushed with victory,
and, on the eve Of lettering the instruction
they had received and repaying, with interest,
the real or imaginary outrages to which they
had been subjected. That party in this atti-
tude should turn all its violence and bitterness
even upon its own friends, who dared "come
between the dragon and his wrath, " is more &c
be regretted than wondered at
But, what would have been the consequence
II the ultra leaders of the Wing party, urged OF
by those who were hungry and clamorous fol-
the spos of victory, and for the fruits Of trl
umph in every shape-offce and revenge-hae
met nothing to check them in their career bu
the remonstrances of the vanquished They
would have succeeded in infusing into the new
minority the same spirit of vindctveness ane
determination which had animated them. Tha
minority, it is confessed, comprised that portion
Of the people most liable to be led asray BY
passion; and, as party they had been more
disciplined by, and were more amenableto, part,
drill and tactics. Against such minority /
ultra meas ures had been enforced with the ut
most rigor, nothing could have secured thu
Wing victory, but such strengthening OF tn
Government, and such an employment OF it
power and patronage, as would have left tn
people at large but little liberty to boast Of.
The result of continuance of such contest
must be anarchy or the final subjugation of on
or the other party, and the creation Of virtua
arstocracy or abolition of Republican form 0
Government.
Under free government those are the wlses
statesmen, as well as the best patriots, who in
cucate, in all public measures as the first requi
site, spirit of moderation and compromise
voluntary yielding Of something to the claims
or clamors, if il be SO, of the minority. Wher
there is any freedom at ALL there must be free
dom of opinion and of controversy right t
discuss and object; and where that exists RICH
itself, too fiercely pursued, becomes wrong, an
truth fasehood. The maintenance of publ
tranquility is in itself greater good than ca
be obtained by any system of public econom