The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-12

The People, if their general good sense
is to be taken as an evidence Of their de-
termination, will never suffer their best
interests and the welfare of their coun-
try to be jeoparded by men who would stop
at no length to effect their own selfish ends
They cannot fail to see between their welfare
and the Administration, connexion so close
that the blow aimed to strike the one must Inc
vitably injure the other.
The occasion which calls for combined action
on the part of the friends of the Government to
aid it in its present difficulties, is selected by its
enemies to throw barriers In its way. There
are times when blind partisan warfare is more
Unsuitable than others. When there is nothing
identified with the Government against which
its hostility IS directed, but the success of the
principles upon which it is administered; when
political ascendancy is the aim at which its mea-
sures are particularly directed, and no questions
of vital interest cffecting its immediate welfare
is concerned, then undue severity, even
against the Government, may be tolerated.
But when difficulties which grow out of the
state of affairs, unforeseen by the most saga
cious foresight, and which no political prudence
can avert, for degree Of hostility to be directed
against it with view to thwart their safe ad-
iustment, is to strike the very country TO
whose success they are the life, and which to
war against is to direct blow with a view to
its destruction
To oppose an Administration under such cir
cumstances may be the work Of desperate par
tisans, and the sword they WELD against it,
whetted by personal asperlty and welded with
political malgnty, will be averted by the shield
of public honor, sustained by the hand of viz
tuous People.
Among the many things connected with the
present position of parties, and which are not the
least worthy of the consideration of the coun-
try, are the various statements made by
their supporters with regard to the ground
the President would now occupy had he been
directed by their respective guides Had
he hut followed the course of the one, he
would have secured for himself its undivided
support Had he followed the other, he would
have equally met their cordial welcome. If
there was wanting any evidence stronger than
what has already been given Of an honest zeal
in the cause of the country, in opposition to
party, on the part Of the President, it is this
fearless path, which principle Invested OF its
dangers in pursuing. Taking neither the side
of the one, nor placing himself in the hands of
the other, he was content to take what the fac
tons of both rendered middle course. Did
personal interest prompt it2 He had already
the position which it was neither in their power
T; to give nor withhold. Did the political success
to which he might subsequently be indebted to
1 them influence his action? He had presented
to him on both sides the advantages which theil
support would secure. Did want of courage
or an absence of frmness intimidate him ? He
knew with what magnty he was to be as
sailed.
In connection with all these difficulties, much
IS said in justification of party; and no will
affirm that any Government can exist without
it. Party, as a term OF designation, must be
applied to every set of men who undertake the
establishment of any principle, or the advance
ment of any cause. BUTT is not a faction that
can be tolerated, because parties must needs
exist. 1t is not the voluntary acqulescence Of
men in the support of any cause which distin-
guishes faction; but the forcing them irresisti-
bly, into the compliance with its will. 1t is not
connexion formed to discharge duties which
devolve upon public men, but the combined in
huence of separate fractions OF parties to pro-
mote some sinister purpose. 1t does not show
itself in the clear light of public duty, but con-
caalc itsef in spcret intripue This ia COM
bination against which every friend of public
honor will unite to oppose.
CASSIUS.