The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-13

ask therefore, for the letter of our correspondent
careful reading, which, we will answer for it, WILDE
well requited
Correspondence of the Unon.]
, VIRGINIA, August l.
My DEAR Sin During long and somewhat event
full life do not recollect to have seen the fI-
ture in all that concerns our country inaccessible
to the reach of speculation and far beyond the an
tcpations of the most profound sagacity as at the
present time. The political horoscope indicates some
strange events, and new signs presented Tor as
trologers to work upon, but am too much of mat
ter of fact person to have faith in such an occult SCI
ence look to higher and hoer source for my
guidance. rely upon the intelligence Of the people
to know their rights, their rmness to defend tAem
and their virtue to preserve them; and my hope and
belief is, that the supreme experimenting Pro-
violence, who have so long and sgnally blessed our
land and nation will vouchsafe to us continuance of
his care 1t is worthy of remark to see how the
operation of political parties has changed and how
much there is in the change to influence preiudcial-
ly the great interests of the country Formerly the
right OF Individual opinion was respected andm
allowed to differ upon questions of policy With
out losing their identity with their party or subject
ing them to the suspicion of indelity but now the
discipline is rigid and arbitrary, that man, bow
ever honest, pure and elevated, can differ from his
party without losing CASTE and in proportion I'd his
station and consequence will be reviled and perecu-
ted if his Judgment his duty, and his conscience
had nothing to do where politics concerned!
Take from lnan the hig hest accountability thu he
feel for his acts, and make him mere instrument
in the hands of party, and it not only makes him a,
slave, but It strikes at the foundation of those great
principles of Independence and virtue upon hicn the
whole superstructure of Government rests. 1t drives
him from the safe and honest support of measures to
the dangerous and slavish support of men, The
practical operation of this party ostracsm may be
in the situation Of President Tyler placed as he
is between the marshaed ranks of the leaders of the
great parties the object of their violence and per-
secution, bat fo tunately not the victim Of either
Had Mr.. Tyler been obscure and equivocal po-
iician the conduct of his adversaries might be deem
ed less reprehensble but life of thirty years devot-
ed to the public service member of the Legisa-
ture member Of Congress- Governor, Senator in Con-
gress, Vice President of the United States and Pre-
sident haiiing always from the good old Common
wealth of Virginia, where honors are bestowed upon
qualification and where they accumulate with
out merit-such proofs these of sound and meried
popularity should have secured to him the respect that
is due to his station, and the generous indulgence
that belong to honest differences Of opinion.
Mr.. Tyler obtained that popularity by no factious
ignoble means, but by the careful protection Of
good name and the steady observance of vrtuous
life, fortified by amiable disposition, bland MAN.
ners, pure morals, firm opinions, and tolerant spirit.
With this reputation he came into the Presidency,
anxious perform the arduous duties Of his exalted
station in consonance with those principles which he
had ever regarded as sound and orthodox. But in
the early progress of his administration he found thai
he had to differ with the prominent Of the party
to which be belonged upon ONE point of lesdng poll
cy, In connection with which he had been long and
VIGOROUSLY committed and, however DESTROYS to pre-
serve harmonious relations and unity of action the
conviction of his judgment and the duties of his sta
ton, required him to defend that judgment and per-
form those duties firmly, but respectfully, towards
those who differ with him. In the hours Of trial, he
had the moral irmness act while thousands under
the circumstances would have faltered and for this
praiseworthy independence he has been denounced
with litter spirit, by those who give much to
believe, that the good of the country not "ther
first consideration, and were but too willing to de-
fame the man, who made his country the first object
of his duty and the steady purpose Of his protection.
The schism thus produced has brought about this
strange anomaly for the first time in the history of
our Government-those who represent the two con-
trolling parties of politicians in Congress are at issue
with the President upon the almost entire policy of
his Administration, and are making relentless war
upon him to crush all has and his influence.
The motive for this extraordinary movement lies
the surface, and is to be in the jealousy OF par
ties and in the Presidents refusal to bind himself to
the electoneering objects of either. This extraor-
binary state of things marks conspicuousy the die-
renee between the obligations and motives that go
vern MIR. Tyler and those that influence and control
the leaders of the two political parties The Presi-
dent is representing the highest official trust Of the
country and is responsible to the whole people for
the fidelity of his acts and the paramount observance
of their interests without the influence of party -
whilst his adversaries, with much less responsibility,
and to great extent without any direct accounta-
bility to the people, make mere party considerations
their chief object, and far as they can control
the means of Government, appropriate every thing
to subserve this selfish end. Important consequences
must grow out of this peculiar state IF things. The
people must take sides in this contest and show that
they either for their true interests first and
above all other considerations or that they will give
tn fO ~
schemes Of ambition for selfish and dangerous pur-
poses.
The same spirit of persecution which has pursued
Mr.. Tyler unsparingy, has been extended to some
of those who possess his confidence and whose great
minds are cooperating with his to the country
in their high and responsible stations. 1t is very evil
dent that the motive for this hot pursuit is 10 punish
these gentlemen for daring to acknowledge higher
allegiance than the objects of mere party. For this
contumacy the whole force of party invoked and the
most INSCRIPTIONS means are employed to dishonor
name that belongs to our country its property
and its pride. Mr.. Webster has gained his ma
tional eminence by the powers Of his mighty
mind, devoted to the service of his country and to
learned profession which he has dignifed. The
just and patriotic should every where feel that it is
common duty to protect such a reputation from the
schemes of conspiracy and the attacks of degraded
Jealousy. Had Mr.. Tyler and Mr.. Webster made
themselves the plant obsequous tools to carry out
the schemes OF one party or the hereses of the other
they would at this day have had from the affiliated
party the paudts that were wont to be given before
action assailed them, and when unprejudiced men
considered them pure and patriotic g Indignante in
vida forebt ustus." The causes, my dear sir, that
are operating to distract and prevent the prompt and
efficient legislation which the necessities Of the coun-
try so mperiousy require at the hands of Congress-
cannot much longer escape the observation and re-
Duke of the people, say the people in contradis-
tinction to the politicians.
The great objects of legislation are thrust aside to
fight the battles for the next Presidency and to
facture electioneering speeches for home consump-
ton For this mischevous perversion of the legiti
mate objects for which Congress met on the first
Monday in December last, the people have not only
to submit to and bear with having their business
elected and abused, and all the crying wants of the