The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-02

To tAs Aon- Vile p. Mo~ewss .-~--
g II SuG bIsms any man ~ . 6hsAgs At oPin-
ion, for believe in ths truth uf the s4icm. that
a wise man changes his opinicas-a fool. never
But we generally fad il the custom Of those who
do change, to furnish some tangible reason, or, at
least, an excuse for their course. Now, in pri-
vate affairs, had known you as high-mnded,
honorable, chivalric Southern gentleman. |
give you all the benefit that attaches TO the cha
racier, and it is not little but must hesitate
in giving you the slightest degree Of credit for
political honesty. And why2 When enter
ing into life, was taught 10 look upon you as a
firm advocate OF the principles of what | must
ever deem glorious minority. Who composed
it2 Neither the present ultra Federalists, nor
vet the ultra $50 called) Democrats. No; it
was that conservative body, on which the slabi-
lily, the safety, the success Of this Government
must depend, whenever time arrives that dem
agogusm or sedilion shall threaten the sacrifice
of the charter of our Liberties. You formed one
of that band of chevaliers, sans peur ct sans
reproche, whose position before the country
showed that they were PATRloTs. Their leader
had
Bearded the lion in his den,
The tiger in his lair"
You stood by him nobly. John Tyler did the
same, and Notwithstanding the immense popu-
larity of the Hero of Orleans, his ''iustr-
Gus" successor was forced TO WELD to circum-
stances, and fall back on principles which he
had once professed, but which ambition had
prompted him to let sleep under the influence
Of The Proclamation of hi, Imperial Master.
You have, however, been willy politician, for
on looking to the journals of the Senate from
your entree in 1882, we can find but little save
the record of your votes. You were kind Of
filler up of interstices left by Messrs. Tyler, Cal
houn, Preston, and others. 1t is hard to tell
where Mr.. p now is, for though acting as a
"Whig," he is professedly opposed to distrlbu-
ton, to tariff, and to that sold fashioned" Bank,
which is the special object of the affections Of
Henry Clay. 1t is disagreeable retrospecion,
no doubt to several with whom you now act, to
think of these matters, for the masses can never
be satisfied with professions of purity when
practice gives the lie to them.
Is there not some personal malignity display
ed especially in your course? Else why the
uncalled for-amost neutrality-suspicious. of hoaest,
| capable, virtuous men, that have taken place
since the Veto power of the President was ex-
ercised? Can you lay your hand on your heart,
and say that they would have occurred if Mr..
Tyler, like yourself, had abandoned every prin-
ciple of his political life? No, sir, you cannot;
and it would be ridiculous to suppose that any
body thinks so.
You are now associated with some who were
your uery particular friends in 49, Let us see
their names-you no doubt have your own OPT
Mons of their character. Though not express
ed lately, believe they still correspond with
my own What say you to Francis P. Blaig,
the adjutant of the celebrated Senator frolfi
Missouri? The odour of much abused I" Lo-
cofosm" must have essentially changed in your
Uranium with regard to these two, and their
mention renders that of the rank and file almost
unnecessary
Picture to yourself the friendly meeting be-
tween Messrs. Van Buren,, Clay, Blair, Man
gum, Benton! Isn't it downright funny
! What Imagination, however fertile could have
painted such scene few short years back2
The modern Hogarth would have been most
certainly lynched for the drawing had he ven
tured south of Mason and Dixon's line-it seems
more than probable, however, that we shall ne
yer be called to look upon the arrangement as
any thing more than mere political carica-
| ture.
| You have gained one step towards the Vice
Presidency, for l am told that you are elect
ed President of the Senate The omen is bad.
The eagle scars highest previous TO expiring.
HARVEY BIRCH.