The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-08-29

produce more general harmony and good feeling,
Their than the proscripye rule which had before pre-
vailed to an extent which disguised the thoughtful
and sober-minded. During the brief period Of Gen
eral Harrisons term of office, he was known TO be
Influenced by this feeling and Mr.. Tyler has, in this
respect endeavored TO walk in his footsteps Though
both of these gentlemen elected to oifice by
particular party, yet their individual opinions upon
particular measures not made subject oil inqui-
ry. Ii was expected that they would be honest,
faithful TO the Constitution and favorable to measures
which would advance the public good and the gene
raj welfare. Even the party which elected theH
were, by means, unanimous as TO what ihose nea-
sufes should be, and much less were any oil them
made a test at the polls general dement, was ca
pected from their election, and general reliance
was placed upon their honesty, dety TO The Consti-
tuition and friendship 10 the public welfare III can
not be doubted that President Tyler has exhibited all
the qualities fitting him for his high oihce Ills JudS-
ment and his views of his constitutional obligations,
have caused him to differ with the majorityin Con-
gress as 10 two asures OF general interest. One IS
National Bank and the other IS the distribution oil
the proceeds of the public lands. currency OF uni
form value, and sound economical system oil do
nestle exchange were indeed demanded by The wants
and the wishes of the country. Measures TO produce
simply these objects held by President Tyler to
be allowable by the Constitution, and such measures
he would cheeriully have approved. Bat the hat oil
popular dsapprobaon had been too unequiyocally
and too emphatcally pronounced upon National
NJ,
lar will upon this subject But Notwithstanding this
fat two bills creating bank of this character, were,
succession, eagerly and perseverngly pressed upon
the President for his approval. lie was compelled,
by his own respect for the public will, and his con-
scienous view of the power granted by the Constitu
ton to return both of these bills with his objections
while he was ever ready to sanction any constitutional
law regulating domestic exchange, he could never
approve of National Bank Of discount which he
deemed to be prohibited by the Constitution. |: can
not be dou ted that his action in this respect
politically wise il was constltutionally conscien-
tious great National Bank of discount is not yet
a favorte with the people of these United States
and until there is change OF popular sentiment in
this respect, that party only nsures its own prostra
ton which places all at hazard upon this issue.
The other matter in which the President differs
from the majority in Congress, has in it singu
lar features. The country is VIGOROUSLY embarrass-
ed in its pecunary resources, and crippled In ITS Gre
dit, and its wants demand more revenue than its
income will supply. The President, with that com
mon sense which most men apply to their own af
fairs deemed that country embarrassed could
not prudently give away that portion Of its income
derived from its funds when it was much needed
to meet its expenses and restore It's own credit
In other words he was not willing that the people
should be taxed, either through 1arlf or any other
mode to raise money to distribute among the States
when the wants of the General Government were so
pressing 1t is the duty of Congress to raise re-
venue to meet the wants Of the country. To dis
charge this duty Indispensable 10y our necessi-
ties and at the time To enforce the President To
sanction the distribution OF the proceeds oil the public
lands against his known udgment--they framed two
separate bills for revenue, connecting with both the
distribution clause. The two subjects had no natu-
raj or proper conneXon, but they were Joined to CO.
cree the President either TO approve measure which
his own sound Judgment reject d, or to incur the
odium of reecting a bill to raise imperousy
demanded by the necessities OF the country. This
species of legislation is of itself iraught with much
mischief and deprecated by all conscientious The
President would have been orthy of high place.
and of the general confidence reposed in him, if he
had Yielded to this legislative coercion. He came
out manfuIly and openly, and patriot should and
manifested his willingness to go with Congress in
raising the necessary revenue, but at the time
firmly avowng his determination not to approve of
the distribution of any portion of the public funds
long as the Government should remain in such a
condition of embarrassment. Who can say that in
this the President is unworthy of himself or his
try' Who say that he has shown deficiency
in Judgment sense or patriotism Who can say that
he has refused his sapction laws demanded by the
public good
Yet for these acts the President has been denounc-
ed by the press and in public meetings by political
brawlers in terms of unmeasured opprobrium and at
which decency should blush. We among those
who believe that vituperatlve denunclations
called forthat they are unworthy of free people,
and in respect justified by the acts of the Presi
cent respect due the Executive of great people,
and we have yet to learn that he is deficient in
honesty, sound judgment, fidelity to the Consttu
tion than those who thus lndecorously and holly
sail him We know that the President has been
pressed upon ndelicately and increasingly, from
~ quarter with a view to make him an instrument
N the elevation of another favor tc-we know that
when it was found he could not be used, that every
effort was made to PROSTATE his influence, and de-
,troy his character and fame by constant and unceas
ing clamor and denunciation. We will not follow
The bad example set us Of assailing the majority in
Congress- the favorte they would elevate but that
would do well to look to their responsibility
to the country and take care that, when reckoning
comes they are not found to have been more eager
for destroying the President than providing for the
welfare of the country. We will not doubt their
honesty but the people will exact from them Judi
cious action as well as honest intentions Toe Presi
dent too, has his appropriate functions to perform,
and he has taken oath to perform them faithfully
and so long as he confines himself within the consti-
tutional sphere of his duties, his acts ere TO be
spected We are among those who approve of his
acts and think they are justified by plain common
sense and sound judgment, and calculated to promote
the public welfare. We do not approve of them less
because they have been so indecently and violently
assailed but for that reason we deem it the more our
duty to come forward at this time and make avow
al of confidence in the President in the uprightness
of his intentions, the soundness of his Judgment and
in his regard for the great good of the whole
sures that are really for the interest of the whole
and calculated to give it prosperity and
peace we doubt not he will readily approve-among
these are laws regulating domestic exchanges and
Tariff for revenue, and incidentally for protection
sufficient to meet the wants of the Treasury, and to
give stable protection to the great manufacturing and
agricultural interests. We want just such laws
which will be permanent, and not changing, and
such laws the President favors 1t will be doubt
full or eeting credit to his administration that he has
hee abl tn "a W ita
honorable alike to this country and the statesman who
directed conducted and approved of the negotiation
In short believe that President Tyler deser, re-
spect from the country which he has faithfully en-
deavored to serve, and long his acts prompt
ed by honest intentions, and guided by good judy
ment, will nterpose ourselves a shield between
him and those who would wantony assail him with
abuse or unjustly detract from his fame.