The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-17

people Of the United States have had cause 10 learn
from their own experience, as well as the uniform
tenor of human history, il is that of carrying tenn
per of mutual forbearance through all their divisions of
making party feeling, which never can include
more than portion of the Republic subordinate TO
the civil spirit which embraces the whole In the
collision OF opinions, growing out of the action OF po-
litca systems il is the duty of every citizen to take
ms stand upon deliberate conviction and to pursue his
principles regardless of consequences to himself II
may DC remarked, that the era Of parties flowing
from the animation of political freedom, is ever fol-
lowed by an era of faction which characterizes its
imbecility Parties founded on rincipe-fac-
tions on men, Under the first division, the people
are contending in relation to the systems of policy
that shall be pursued under the second they APP
plcants for state of slavery, and only discuss
ing whose livery they shall wear The brightest
days of the Roman Republic were marked by violent
commissions but this excited temper sprung from
Jealousy of the several orders of the State among
each other. The predomnating influence OF the pa
trcians the side, and the pebans the other
produced conflict highly useful in its results, it
tended to preserve the balance of the prominent par
ties, which sprung into existence. The fixed princi-
it took possession of the public mind The citizens
eassed themselves under the banner Of corrupt and
ambitious leaders, being united into factions under
Marius or Sylla Caesar or Pompey, while the Repub-
lie stood by without any interest in the political
troyersy, PROSTATE and helpless rciim. After the
manner of the factions Of republican Rome We hear
much of this party and Of that party A political
controversy is kept up by the ambition of powerful
leaders, between whom the country is conyulsed and
the public interests neglected.
We were aware that any measure emanating from
the President, having tendency to bring relief to
the country, would have to encounter violent, en-
terprlsing and malignant party spirit. From the
combined operation of different causes it would have
been vain expectation that the establishment OF
Board of Exchequer would be generally contemplate
ed with candor and moderation or that reason would
regulate the first expressions concerning it. 1t was
certain, on the contrary that however unexcepona-
Bile its true character might be, il would have to fight
ITS way through mass of unreasonable opposition
and that time, examination, and reflection, would be
requisite to fix the public opinion true basis. 1t
was certain that the engine of party would make a
systematic effort to overthrow the scheme of finance
as recommended by the President in order to advance
the views of prominent men, at the hazard Of the
prosperity of the nation.
We do not know that any measures will be taken
for the relief of the country from the causes that
have parayzed the prosperity, and broken down the
institutions of the country but certainly Congress
will most strangely neglect its duties if it allow a
spreading its roots and scattering its seeds ON all
sides.
We will now proceed to investigate the objects
contemplated to be obtained by the Executive in the
creation of the Board of Exciequer Every poti-
cal system that is really excellent will bear examine
ton--t will invite it and the more narrowly il is
surveyed, to the more advantage it will appear Is
the system good one' 1t will gain in our esteem
by the severest inquiry Is it bad' Then its mperfec-
tons should be laid open and exposed Is it danger
Gus TO the liberties of the country Freedom of dis
cussion will still be requisite to point out the nature
and source of its corraptiye Tenderness, and apply
suitable remedies We, therefore, beg leave to call
the attention of the public to Of the principal
objections which adversaries contend they have
discovered in it. In doing SO, we shall confne our
selves TO little more than an examination of these OBJ
Jectons without entering INTO any demonstration or
qure more space than newspaper allows and, be-
sides, is notrequrcd Gas regards of the points
absolutely necessary.
Although we enter on the consideration Of this sub
lect with peculiar satisfaction we are sensible that it
is not without its difficulties, The facts are 50 nu.
mcrous, and the speculations wich naturally ari Sc
from the examination of them various that we
mis ht appear tedious should we 90 fully into the de-
tail, and obscure to limit ourselves to mere
general statements shall try, therefore, to pursue
amddle course and be sufficiently gr,,ified il our re-
marks tend in any degree, to make the subject better
understood and more widely popular,
The establishment of the Exchequer Board is re-
sisted upon the ground that it will augment the pa
tronage Of The Federal Executive. One of tue first
and most obvious consequences, which would follow
the adoption of the measure, would be great reduc
ton of the patronage of the Government According
to the present system of keeping the public revenue,
numerous State Banks employed, located in diff
efent sections of the Union, with host of officers
clerks &c &c &c independently of their personal
influence, they have the power of extending favors
and accommodation to a large and Influential portion
of the community. The extent OF the influence which
the Government might exercise, whenever it thinks
proper, through many of Influence with
such ample means OF acting upon public opinion, can
be more readily conceived than estimated the whole
of which W MD be cut on at sngl blow, should the
EnchequeT Board be established Should the, qucs-
ton be put, whether such a result be desira-
bic, let the denunciations daily uttered against
Executive patronage furnish the response Ii may
in truth, be laid down maxim in our system of
Government, never to be abandoned, and which can.
moi be disregarded with IMMUNITY, that there should
be no more patronage than what is necessary to ac-