The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-22

judging from things at Washington are 10 be turned
away from the Treasury and back TO their homes
in despair, cursing the bad faith of the Government
which cheated and defrauded them.
Felow-citIzens this is not all. The intelligent men
of this country look only the present disastrous
state OF things and see the pressure which bows down
the people TO the earth but as intelligent and ireemen
looking at the glorious institutions OF their country
and looking ahead TO that the Republic shaii TO-
ceiye no HARM they see clouds in the political horznn
relative TO the foreign affairs of this country, which
ought to rouse up every American citizen, TO guard
against the dangers affecting our national safety ana
character and all the interests dear to our country
and the Perng of which WIN DC s'on
God forbid that we should have foreign war
Nav God avert the calsmitous period when this coun
try Is forced into with the nations of Europe.
But the ma xims OF the glorious Washington admin
American People. sin peace prepare for war; Mil
lions for defence. Not one cent for tribute.
Are there questions presented to the peoples
minds, at this moment, which ought TO awaken men
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
feeling should operate them order that they guard
against dangers which, If not provided for, may in
volve in the greatest antilles 1t is not good POI
icy say Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof
that the crisis has not arrived and that is not necessa
ry to take measures in reference to state of things
which do not exist, or if they do exist, cannot affect
us without giving us time to prepare for It,
But the true principles policy ought to prevail
Ii is proper selection Of the time as well as the
means which constitute true economy and true wis
dom.
Here are our private relations in most forlorn con-
don. Private enterprises destroyed, the hardy la
boreI stricken down, and the commercial man in de-
spa at seeing the of the currency and the utter
destruction of all confidence between man and man.
And with this extraordinary state of things, and while
the important affairs being discussed between
Great Britain and this country, which may involve
in difficulties are not nperativey called to bear
up in support Of our national honor and character at
the risk Of all perls and sacrifices in defence Of those
necessary and glorious privileges which We deter
mined TO maintain
ask you is not the public mind in every direction
and in every party alarmed at that state of things,
and is not the mind of every alive to that crisis,
and alarmed at the perls which surround us
There is one common sentiment of apprehension
that are neglecting the duty we owe our country
and ourselves. But is this sentiment to be found
where il ought to be particularly found?
When we go to the halls of legislation do we find
the public servants impressed with feeling Of its
necessary duties and what it owes to the country in
reference to speedy and judcious 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 contended
ty in Congress- must express my disapprobation with
the course taken by men, in reference to what they
considered their own views, because it might embar
the operations of Government; and will say,
said in reference to the glorious Admiral of Eng
land, when our country is in danger let us save our
country, no matter into whose hands the Adminstra-
ton falls"
Fellow-citzens, if you look TO Congress, what do
you fnd' Do you find there the spirit OF desire to
do their duty Is there such spirit as ought to be
manifested, coming fresh from the body of the peo-
pie, and infusing life and vgor, and energy and ac-
tion into that branch of the Government? Not al
all You find there such scene of pickering and
personal disputes, and quarrepg with each other
never before exhibited in the halls of Congress
having reference to the peculiar juncture which ex
lists now.
There are the friends of Tyler, who are but i
small band the Van Buren, party and the Wings
The Wings have the majority in the House, and dc
not ask them to surrender the peculiar opinions
which they hold. But they responsible for no
sacrificing their political prejudices on the altar o
their common country when the danger to her is sucl
as to call out expression of Wing principe-ant
of men who love their country more than they low
their party.
Thera is also the Van Buren, party, watching for al
opportunity to make political capital out of the diff
cultes of the times, and all are equally reprehensbe
in forgetting the manly and patriotic duties they ow'
their country, when every citizen is or ought to be in
terested 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 cvnced 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 ever,
other momentous measure which we supposed would
occupy the attention of Congress was thrown aside
on various patry devices and excuses if these gen
emen were sent there only for the business of Pres
dent making and not to make laws for the relief o.
the country. They have spent days and days debat
ing about the salary of clerk, or in relation to the
oil used in the House, the stationery, and often
when called to order, were obliged to adjourn fol
want of quorum and there were also various Other
means by which time was wanted. Would men il
this country patiently submit to this and especially
from men who had but few months back, gone ou
from the body Of the people, pledged to procure ma
tional relief and reform? But you now find them
like schoo-boys, pleased with rattle and tickled
with straw and you see them thus display them
selves to the great dissatisfaction of the people
What lid 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 tn,
revenue to be provided for, and the defence OF thu
nation, at this moment so imperiously called for b,
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 an excuse to say they had not applied them
selves to the subject because their minds were no
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 il
But it was put aside by design, in order, as | an
afraid that it might embarrass the Executive branc
of the Government, and thus advance their own 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 hei
power and Importance, and should We as America
citizens be deferred from letting them know the sam
sentiments as express herel
say that the question of revenue has been sc
aside as device with reference to making the mex
President of this country and it is time that thes
men should understand and-though we do not as in
dividuals give up our opinion as to who should b
President-the voice of the people should reach tn
Halls of the Legislature and tell them in voice c
thunder that they were sent there to make laws an
| not to make Presidents.
As TO The question Of revenue you must have mean
to support the govelnm Every man admits that