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

Full DIoOOOtolOlN'
Is it not strange that, while calmness and
self-possession are in nothing so requisite as III
political or religious discussion, there are no
matters in regard to which less forbearance and
hberaty are manifested by large portion OF
those who undertake to decide on them we
hold that, as freemen, we are entitled to enter
tain and express our opinions frankly and freely
on public men and measures, and, In claiming
to ourselves this right, do not hesitate to extend
to others the same latitude Of thought and ex-
preston. To differ on points of policy, or to
advocate different side of question from that
entertained by our neighbors, is certainly not to
impugn motives; and, whilst we feel ourselves
bound to advocate what we deem to be right, we
shall ever be ready to think that other men may
entertain opposite views with equal honesty OF
purpose Our institutions are the offspring OF
free discussion, and can only be maintained IN
their purity by the spirit of liberal compromise
in which they had their origin. The trainers
of our glorious Constitution claimed for their
opinions as therein set forth no exemption from
| the fallibility inseparabe from their nature as
human beings, and could never have imagined
| that views suggested by the then state OF al
| fairs might not be rendered open to correction
by novel condition of things, growing out OF
unforeseen circumstances. The successful ad-
ministration Of the affairs of this country can
only be effected through the support Of public
| opinion, and no matter how correct opinions
may be in the abstract it must frequently occur
| ~ Itho tn extent. be
right, they may not, under certain crcumstan-
ces, be expedient. To adhere to political dog
mas, regardless of all extaneous considerations,
is not the part of wisdom, and the statesman
| who will at all times apply the same rule OF
conduct to his practice, without reference to the
change of times, will subject himself to failure
and modification. The great end of all honest
politicians must be the public welfare, and should
it be impracticable to effect all that is de-
| sired, it is the part Of discretion to attain
as much as can be commanded. Under these
impressions we would urge upon those who
are intrusted with the concerns of the country
to lay aside all secondary and less important con-
siderations and go to work to reconcile discord-
| ant opinions when they stand in the way of the
public good Were such the disposition enter
tanned by men in high political trust, the nation
would be- in great measure, fnot entirely freed,
| from the embarrassments which have for years
impeded its prosperity, and which must contln-
ne to do so, so long as the rancorous spirit OF
excluslveness continues to exist.
We Yesterday adverted to the use made of
rumors by political agitators in keeping the pub
lie mind in an unsettled and disturbed state
That any permanent object can be effected by
means so unworthy of men of sense, cannot be
supposed even by the authors of them, but they
imagine that if doubt and misapprehension can
be excited, something may possibly occur in the
meanwhile which they may turn to account
So far as the ridiculous rumors of disagreements
between the President and the members Of his
Cabinet are concerned, there appears to be
craving on the part of some men for the occur
renee of difficulties of which we are happy to
assure them there is not the slightest probability
Looking to the advancement OF the national
welfare, and perfectly agreed as to the general
measures through which that end is to be effected,
the members of the Executive Department of
the Government will move on firmly, unitedly,
and, regardless of all minor considerations to Its
attainment The time has, we trust, gone by
when influences unworthy CT the attention OF
the nation will be suffered to mar the system on
which its Executive concerns are administered,
and we only hope that a disposition similar to
that which shows itself at the western, will
manifest itself at the eastern end of the Avenue.
We say to the people watch narrowly, discuss
freely, but do not attach weight to rumor with
out, at least, making proper inquiry