The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-05-03
"MR. WEBSTER"

words upon this point to the People of the coun
try and in doing so may we ask them to cast
aside whatever prejudices they may entertain
towards Mr.. Webster for one moment2 We
appeal equally to their justice and generosity.
What is Mr.. Webster's present position for
this is the aspect in which we look at public
men, in order to appreciate their political rea-
tons for good or for evil towards the county,
No matter what may have been politicians
former opinions on questions OF constitutional
principle, or of administrative policy, If his
present sentiments are those of an enlightened
| statesman, and exhibit character impressed
with lofty patriotism and general popularity
for honesty and usefulness, it appears TO us that
this is all that the country should or willrequre
If men were judged alone by their past acts or
opinions in politics, there are certainly only
very few persons in political life who could
stand the issue successfully. Take several in
stances We all know that at one time, and
that not very long since, MIR. Buchanan, now
one of the most prominent Democratic leaders,
was an avowed Federalist-We know that at
one time he acted with Mr.. Clay, and we dare
say that Mr.. Buchanan would notke TO appear
before the country exactly in the same attitude
in respect to policy which he occupied no
longer back than the year 1910. We rather
suspect this gentleman desires to forget the
standing army proposition and his low wages
doctrines. We do not mention these facts to
denounce Mr.. Buchanan on the contrary, we
approve of the sensitiveness which he now ex
hibits on these and other points-and merely
mention them TO sustain our position. Has not
Mr.. Clay turned to every point Of the political
! compass, during his long and eventiul, and, we
will add, in some respects Qhough not in later
times) useful life. Look at Mr.. Mcpherson
Berren, one of the leaders Of the etlgy
| Wings in Congress at this time, who, when
| Mr. Clay was nominated as Secretary of State
| by Mr.. Adams, was the first man to vote against
| him, and was at that time in deadly hostility TO
| Mr.. Clay and all othls political doctrines. Now,
we perceive these worthy PERSONS ''cheek by
| jowl," in close and loving fellowship lying like
knotted snakes in the same nest, in the instinct
| i've embrace of kindred sympathies and kindred
purposes, and employed every hour in Kissing
| CTS all they can dog their venomed breath at
| private or public relations And such men as
| these, and others Of similar character, talk of
the past opinions Of the Secretary of State, and
| endeavor to poison the ears Of the Republican CT
tiZens of this country nth prejudice, about Mr..
Webster's past positions.
| But to take another instance, and one of
very different character from any of the above,
we will refer to the present attitude of Mr.. Cal
houn, and ask, that his present afinties and
principles be contrasted with those he has enter
tanned in past times. Every body admits Mr..
Calhoun to be man Of unblemished personal
| and political character There seems to be com
mon consent almost in admitting that his views
| have been those of unsound Judgment of the
| head, rather than of the heart. AT one time he
was arrayed on the side of Bank and Tariff,
| logical and powerfulin the advocacy Of such OPT
nions-now he is in the most uncompromisng
position of hostility to each of these measures.
| At one time he was dcnunciatory of every thing
connected with the Jacksonian and Van Buren,
Democracy 1.-TWO very different things, by the
! by,) and now he is Rugged in close protection
| to their breasts. Again we repeat, we do not
mention these things either in consideration of
Mr. Calhoun or the Demo ratio party, but to
show the mirror to the country in which truth
is reflected, and to ask the Republicans of the
land if Mr. Webster is to be excluded absolutely,
Vi Ell armis, from occupying Republican ground,
or to be charged with duplicity fhe acknowledge
any change Of political sentiments, when others
for doing the same thing not only commend
ed but rewarded with thanks and gratitude,
and sometimes even with some thing still more
substantial.
Il In truth there are but a very few men in any
land, who can say, like the President of the
United States, that since entering upon the
threshold of the capital, through long and
evenlful career of nearly thirty years, common
, cling almost as beardless boy, and ending thro'
successive gradations with an elevation to the
/ Chief Magislracy of the Union, that his bril-
liant and eventful career has been increasingly
onward and upward upon the old Jefersonlan
road, tempted by no flowers to rove, and led as
tray by no leeing visions of interest or vain
glorious ACKNOWLEDGMENT, from the straight for
ward path marked out, and illumined by the steps
of our Republican Fathers.
Now, en-, we ask once more, both of Wing
and Democrat, we do not mean 'efhgy" men, OF
agrarans, but we appeal to the Republicans Of
the land, and require of them an honest, plain
3 answer to our question:, what is Mr.. Webster's
present position? Is he not thoroughly denti
i fed with a Jefersonian administration Of tn,
, Government Is he not now standing in sup
mort If tha admin tration of n Virginia presi
. dent, upon the platform of the Constitution
where Jefferson desired to stand where with hi
: comprehensive vision, he saw the deliberate ant
$ splendid operation Of our republican form of Go
. | yernment. marked out the various lines Of co