The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-17
REPUBLICANS OF AMERICA /!

what we say If many of the frank, full-heart-
ed Republicans of 1913 and '99 have fallen asleep
in death, their sons who survive, mustyet retain
in all their purity the doctrines bequeathed them
by their fathers. These doctrines, though they
may be occasionally overwhelmed by the surges
of partisan passion, yet like the eternal rock OF
the ocean, when the winds abate and the
waves subsde, still remain unmoved, undi-
minished, and only the purer for the beatings of
the billows
Of late years the storm OF partisan warfare
has ragged without intermission. Clouds have
necessarily risen in the North and the South
the East and the West and met and exploded
in the centre. Wave has chased wave, with
out a moments rest, from the Capital to the
extremites of the land, for many years. There
have been eddies and counter currents all the
time separating from and opposing the onward
march of the tempest-but all in vain-and they
have been forced to bide their time in patience
AT length, for wise and beneficent purposes,
as the country will ere long see Divine Provi-
dence interposed. While the ship ofState was
dashing through the mountain pillows, the COM
mander of the host, he whose thunders from
the West had agitated the whole system, was
snatched up to Heaven. Another commander,
one who had imbibed the pure Republican doc
trnes of the Virginia Presidents in his infancy
and had been governed by their dictates through
out political life of twenty five years, was
placed at the helm.
What course was John Tyler to pursue? He,
who had always been governed by strict sense
of duty, who had voluntarily retired from high
post of honor and dignity, rather than do vio-
lence to his conscience, and the doctrines that
had hitherto guided and shaped all his actions,
what course was he to pursue? He stepped
forward and viewed the troubled waters; with
steady gaze and calm breast he long regarded
the furious elements. All eyes were upon him
Some were clamorous for the ship to be turned
this way and others that A mutiny took
place. The ring-leader with his accomplices at
his heels, demanded that it should be pointed
to the WEST. John Tyler raised his hand and
spoke. Turning first to the furious political ele
ments he said, PEACE! BE STILL" Address
sing the refractory crew next, he said: RE-
TIRE He was obeyed Though the heavens
were not clear, nor the ocean smooth, yet the
thunders were impotent and the waves sank
comparatively to ripples.
The commander then ordered the old com
pass to be brought on deck All the others were
thrown overheard. The old compass was the
CONSTITUTION, and his chart the principles OF
the REPUBLICAN FATHERS. Far far had the
ship departed from the right latitude! But the
stem was now turned to the proper point.
Months went by and the ship still ploughed
the trackless waste. The rebellious crew still
strove to daunt the brave commander but all
in vain. They llundered the magazine, and
threw over the stores. 1t was bootess. The
ship still held it's way. Atength, as the pillows
sank, and the sky grew clear, rock OF in
terminable dimensions doomed up in the hor-
ION before Them The ship still held its way
without deviation. All, save the commander,
stood aghast as the vessel approached the rock.
He smiled in triumph. He knew there was
safe harbor there. 1t was not a rock OF destruc
ton. 1t was the rock of safety. 1t was the old
Republican rock of his fathers, immutable and
eternal From its summit the mountain
waves of partisan passion had swept the ark OF
his country. Again he placed it there. From
its pinnacle again the old Republican flag is
streaming in he air. 1t serves as beacon and
a rallying point for the ten thousand crafts now
tossed hither and thither and lost the illimita
BILE sea Of politics.
On this rock let us rear our tents. Here
stood our fathers, and here all the rich treasures
of the Revolution are safely stored. Here
brothers, though long separated and often at
l1p hrOthPrS.
the elements of Republicanism that have been
cast overheard and scattered about merely
clinging to some frail substance, to keep from
sinking, may rally again, and form victorious
host He who joins the Republican standard,
will not be questioned about his former opin-
IONS Wing or Democrat, who marches IN the
Republican ranks, will be regarded as the friend
of his country. Many the present Wings and
Democrats were once proud to call themselves
Republicans. They have been imperceptibly
led astray by ambitious partisan leaders. We
appeal to them to say whether they have en-
joyed peace and prosperity since they departed
from their ancient ways. We appeal to them
TO say if they have not been deceived and OPP
pressed by their leaders. They must confess
that they have been led into error
Then let us have peace. Let us have repose
Let us not take up arms again at every bidding
of the Presidential aspirants. Let us see ant
Judge for ourselves. When it actually becomes
necessary to have our candidate in the field, VIZ
will not be at loss to designate the prope
man.
Letus first establish our Republican princi
ples and measures To do this, Congress mus