The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-15
WHERE LIES THE FAULT2

AS we have already stated more than once,
we have been charged by persons in and out of
Congress, with having made attacks upon the
Legislative branch OF the Governmental it has
been intimated that in doing so, we have mani
tested, what in polite phrase is termed want of
policy Without looking to the policy or i'm
policy of such course, had we pursued tive feel
| no hesitation in asserting that on no occasion
| have we so far forgotten the respect which we
owe to ourselves as to assail the representatives
of the nation, however we may have deemed
| it necessary to repel assaults directed at
| or the officers entrusted with the Executive
administration of public affairs. 1t is true
| that in the discharge of what we conceive to be
solemn duty as faithful chroniclers of political
events, we have felt ourselves bound to inform
the American People OF what the President and
his advisers have done and are du.irous to do in
their behalf, and, lat the time, to assign the
true reasons why nothing has been effected with
a view to relieve the nation from its present pain
full embarrassments, and if in doing so we have
stated facts which cast odium upon Congress,
no blame nor want of courtesy can, in fairness,
be attributed TO US. In whatever we have said,
all manifestation of want of respect has been
studiousIy avoided and we only regret as
American citizens, that in noting the course
pursued by men of both political parties in the Lee
gislatve halls, ground has been necessarily given
to differences not calculated to enhance their
standing with the constituency of the country
If gentlemen have thought proper to employ
themselves about matters of trivial moment to
the exclusion of subjects involving the most
vital interests of the nation, is the bare state
ment of the fact to be construed into an attack
upon Congress or, if patriotism has been SUI
perseded by the all-absorbing claims of partisan
management, is it want of respect to the re-
personalities of the People to say so? How
long is it since the proceedings of Congress be-
came so sacred that the PEOPLE are not to be
advised of them, and whence comes this new
tangled doctrine that the nation is to be kept in
the dark as to the doings of its servants, lest
forsooth to no ice them may be regarded as
want of respect? Grave Senators are to rise
in their places and vent their spleen in personal
abuse and invective againsta coordinate branch
of the Government, and the People are not to be
toll of it, for fear that in doing so, we may in
cur the imputation of attacking Congress-
DAYS, weeks, and, we had almost said, months
are to be spent in discussing petty points of or
der and questions touching the dismissal pages,
whilst the currency of the country is in ruins, its
defences are neglected, its obligations are dis
| honored, and public journal is not to say that
| such is the case, because it may lower Congress
| in the estimation of the nation. A faithful and
patriotic National Administration is to be held
| I'D to contumely, its recommendations and its
measures are to be passed over in, may we not
saw, conten,ptuous silence, because they do not
spring from partisan management, and when we
venture to state the truth, and nothing but the
truth, we are to be charged with disrespect to
| Congress
| Entitled as Congress is to respect and cour-
tesv, as consisting of the representatives of the
nation, there still remains, thank Heaven in this
| land of freemen, another body to which even
more respect and Difference due, and that
| body is the BODY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE We
have never assailed Congress, but we have
called upon the high tribunal, above named, to
decide whether such acts as are daily witnessed
| in our National Legislature will meet with the
popular sanction. We have not assailed Congress,
but we have endeavored, to the utmost Of our abb
ty to set forth the dongs ofthe Executive branch