The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-30
INrELLIGENCERs CONTRADICTIONS.

en- by the st. Louis Reporter, of July 18th, that
States might elect members of Congress in any
way they chose, the Intelligencer Con the Goth
July,) in abiding to paragraph from the first
paper, declared it to be boldly avowed design
sTo set at defiance the Constitution and the law,
and take the chance of having majority OF Its own
party in the next House of Representatives to stand
by the iniquity."
When the Wings of Ohio followed the pre-
else path the Intelligencer condemned on the
Goth Of July, that paper Con the Oath of August
declared the act in itself
"Consstent in epery particular with the principles
of public and private morality, and as uioating no
legal or constitutional duty"
On the same day, the Inteligencer inrited
the majority of Congress to resign in the fol-
lowing significant words
"Could many now in power be persuaded to imi-
tate the example Of the Why members of the Ohio
Legislature, they would, by such an instance of self
Denial confer lasting benefits on the country"
Two days after, (on the 26th of Augusta the
leading article of the Integencer was headed
"Apprehended Disgrace; )" and after stating
that they (the editors) had been informed that
the Wing members intended to leave the Halls
of Congress in sufficient numbers to destroy a
quorum, and thus deprive that body of the power
of transacting business, the article concludes In
the following strong language:
"There is one who will willingly incur the
odium of participating in any such design, the success
of which could fail to the present Congress
with deep and lasting disgrace. Nor would the in
dvdual members be able to escape each his share, OF
bitter reproach should Congress informally adjourn,
leaving vitality important business undisPosed OF tor
want of quorum"
August 24th-the Intelligencer encouraged,
advised and invited the majority to destroy the
Government by resigning, and thus leaving
Congress without quorum; and even went so
far as to say, that by SO doing they would econ
fer lasting benefit on the country"
This was probably written under Coffee
House influence, and breathes ''head him or
die" spirit throughout.
The Wing members suddenly caught at the
idea as beautiful novelty among their schemes
to destroy the President and Government, and
at once resolved, Gas the Intelligencer said they
would and should,) to go home without even
resigning. We are informed that the article of
the Intelligencer was alluded to in a caucus held
the same night, and that the proceedings of
some meeting, in the State of New York, were
mentioned, where they had been called on to GO
home and ''let the Captain go TO the d." A
certain member of the majority, whose penetra-
ton deserves 10 be admired, and who would ho-
nestly have repealed any such attempt, had moi
the iron rule been held, in terrOrem, over his
head, advised the Intelgencer of what the
editors knew before, but in language strongly
condemnatory of the outrageous proposal. The
informer was one justly entitled to the notice
and regard even Of the foreign lntelligencer,
deavors to overthrow Government for which
the editors have no love, and whose free institu-
tons they may fain occasionally to admire
though they never can appreciate.
Yet they were so careful not to go too far, les
they should offend their foreign associates, thai
they tell their readers they give the apprehend
ed disgrace" in the words of their Informant
not in their own! Surprising that perhaps
however, the s.country was not ripe for oper
rebellion" they add words of their own, dis
couraging the grand design of general and
sudden dissolution. This is to fall back upon
in case such rebellion should really occur, as they
can then assert that they discouraged it from tn
first.
We have tried to discover how it was posi-
bic for any set OF men to pin their faith upon ;
journal so weak and vacating" or encourage
by their money and countenance such "a rick
city concern" A journal borrowing ideas, as
the vane on the steeple borrows its wind, from
every quarter of the compass. Editors who, il
required to define their course, could only reply
as did the honest landsman after his first voyage
across Lake George. When asked how they
had steered the vessel, he said that he was I" no
exactly certain, but he thought the sailors called
it north half south"
But we have not thrown together these con
Trajectory notions and precep,s of the Hous
printers, for the purpose of testing with the sub
ect. 1t is too serious matter to be CLOSED
over with joke.
Our sole object has been to exhibit these
changeable gentlemen in their true colors, ant
do it by their own articles. In this we have
succeeded most triumphantly, as is quite evil
dent from the tone Of our exchange papers. We
have shown their utter disregard of public OPT
nion-thelr total want Of self-respect, and their
constant practice of political legerdeman We
have exposed their daily lriflng with the feel
ings, hopes and wishes Of the public, their en-
tire devotion to the god of mammon, and thu
hourly exercise of their powers of hocus pocu,
upon the gulbity of their innocent readers
In doing this we have quoted their own words
placed side by side their own pictures, and com
pared the inequalities of light and shade in thu
same drawing. We have only
" Held the mirror up to nature"