The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-09
THE CRISIS AND THE IssUE-No. iii.

THE CRISIS AND THE ISSUE-No. III
In the formation Of all Governments, the usu-
al course has been TO take as much power as
possible from the many and give the greater
quantity TO the few. This has long been consi-
dered by political economists as one Of the ne
cessary evils which pertain to the organization
OF bodies OF men, in order TO secure the posses
slcn OF life, liberty, aud knowledge, TO the weak
and poweress, as well as TO the strong and pow
enul We, in measure, submitted 10 il in the
formation Of our Constitution, but il was the
aim OF large majority of those who signed
that instrument, that nothing should be yielded
up OF the direct power of the People but what
was barely sufficient to support union Of
friendshp-for ii was commended, in the spirit
of liberty, that it was better the bonds which
bound the States should be one of sand rather
than one of iron. To insure this object the
checks and balances inserted in the Consttu-
ZION, were deemed amply sufhcient-and time
and spirit has always been regarded by the Re-
publicans of the Union as a safeguard against
danger usurpation from the States or the Fee
deral Government. The former as the creator,
and the latter The creature, held different pow
ers-or, according TO the language Of the Vr-
GINA and Kentucky resolutions, "all power not
delegated by the States 10 the General Govern
ment,o was retained by the States respectively
To insure stability also 10 that great paper of
the 18th century, two-thirds of the States were
required to alter amend it.
Time passed on, and knots Of petty polit-
clans, who had rendered themselves obnoxious
TO the People, sought an opportunity to define
the Constitution as they understood it--or in
other words, to proclaim that articles having
special signi6catons could, by implication, be
made to mean anythng-reversing the Repub-
lican doctrine, and making the Congress Judge
of its own acts. Luckily, this was foreseen by
the trainers, and the check of a VETo from the
President was formed, suspended by thread,
over any successful effort OF demagogueism else
where. Hence, there has been but few attempts
made to infringe the sacred legacy bequeathed
us, most of them being frowned down by popu-
lar indignation. The fire, however, was still
working beneath the surface-no fame was per-
ceplble, though many suspec ed its existence.
Ii was clothed by its authors outwardly in the
garb of patriotism, and many thousands were
led away, by its false glare, into the hands of
the enemy.
All was now in the full tide of successful ex-
pertinent, and the enemies of Republicanism-
the lovers Of wholesale swindling shops, char
tered monopolies, and all the beauties Of Fede-
ralism and aristocracy-had reached the long
sought for gaol! Sunk in despair, the Repubi-
cans had but one hope--they knew that he, who
was expected TO do the will of their enemies
even unto death, had by every act Of his life
opposed the dangerous measures proposed. His
history was examined from his boyhood-not a
stain rested on his devotion 10 principle. He
altar. Who could, then, doubt the safety of the
Constitution None! Fooled in the effort, the
Federalist resumed his garb of hypocrisy, and
watched, ugerlike, and crouching, his anticipated
prey. His plans, by the merest accident were
discovered, and reused, like an angry lion, he
no longer sought concealment, but rushed upon
the impenetrable barrier that became his desruc-
ton. Every thing was yielded up blindly to
mad revenge and disappointed ambition and
the Goddess of Liberty smiled in dersion at
the vain effort 10 crush her followers, and despo-
tism shrunk abashed fro the contest Not so
her followers. The threat of impeachment
was next made to intimidate the action of the
Executive on the Tariff bill This could create
little but laughter from any one possessed Of an
idea, especially when we consider the powerful
source whence the proposition emanated. The
peaceful shades of Ashland" must be made a
camp-ground for the court martial TO be held
which is to try the President Of the People =
and his condemnation is certain enough, if we
are willing TO put such disinterested jurymen
in the box as Clay, Mangum, Bolts, Slanly, and
birds of similar feather The mere contem-
pation of such talesmen is positively funny
In sober seriousness, this attempt to overturn
the Constitution, at the expense Of Mr.. Tyler,
is one which should rouse the dormant faculties
Of every friend of the Republic Let them
grid on their armour for the fight, for the enemy
under numerous disadvantages, must the attack
be made.
Throw aside party tranmels, fellow citizens.
Examine the questions submitted TO you closely
and candidly. Do not let the personal feelings
you may have entertained lead you to forget
your saoorn duty to the Constitution. Rather
perish beneath its tremendous ruins than suffer
one stain to rest on the virgin marble of its
foundation.
PHOCION.