The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-26
From the Baltimore Sun


If 1t be true that there is tide in the affairs of
men, which taken al the flood leads to fortune"
must we take IT, he also in respect the affairs
of nations. Ifhs be So seems TO us that national
prudence requires at this time that of this coun-
Try should look TO 1t about these days" that put
ourselves IN condition to take advantage of the food
uue nat 'he ha'ionai tide now offers an opportu-
nl'y to the statesmen Of country to put the Unit
ed States bark afoat, seems clear We have all the
elements OF prosperity among ourselves and are in
the practice of commercial intercourse with all the
nations of the EARTH and yet the flood tide of confu
sion is in upon us, in the shape of disordered cur
rency, and of deranged and interrupted business
This Is certainly true of the country at large though
local confidence has vigorous existence in many
places, in this city among others; but it may not be
denied, nevertheless that the tide of adversely has
overaken the nation; else, why should it be deemed
necessary to use strong legislative exertons to sustain
its credit?
This then, is just the time when the bold, adven-
turous and skifulna igator may immortaze himself
by putting out to in the bark of State and con-
Quoting her safely into the harbor of prosperity The
time is opporune. Our national legislature is in
slon and we have an Executive pledged to party,
nor to any interest that of the whole country
Mexico has nsulted and abused us questions of great
moment-of weghty import-are in a condition Of
| argument between and Great Britain; and it
seems t. us tibet no better opportunity could possibly
occur, for letting the whole world know the position
which both determined to assume, and able to
maintain, among the great family of nations, than the
present. In the condition of domestic affairs
also, wide field is opened to the statesman, whose
ambition seeks first his counry's welfare and next
his own honorable fame consequence of his pa
triotic agency in its advancement Will, then, our
Government, in its legislative and executive branch
es to it that the present opportunity pass not
improved' Will they look to the great interests of
the country and that they languish not, die,
far at least they may constitutionally cherish
them? Will they see to it that the credit OF the
country suffer not in their hands, the of its
maintenance being within their competency to pro-
wider Will they take that relations with
the honor and the independence of this
We want no "entangIing alliances" with any other
country, and least of all with the members Of the Eu
ropean conspiracy called 'the holy alliance and
trust that those who now, by the will of the people,
guide the destnes of this country, will steer the
ship of State that she shall sail clear Of all the dan
gers that must result from nautical companionship
with the "powers" referred to- Our domestic
vast and various, and national policy
should tend to their Development Our relations
with Great Britain of very critical character.
Questions pending, nice delicate, and difficult Of
adjustment; and it behOoves to look well It, that
they be not settled in way to compromise ma
tional honor or independence-no, not even by the
slightest degree of indireCtion We shall ask nothing
but what is clearly right, and submit to manifest
wrong; and if those in power desire to at once
serve their country and win laurels for themselves
they will straightway themselves to work. put
the domestic affairs of the country in order, far
is competent for them to do and to act upon the
foreign difficulties in way consonant to the national
! spilt