The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-17

Most heartily do we commend TO oul
readers the following able article from the
last Hartford (Ct.) Patriot & Eagle.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
Our readers need not be told that only one
short year is to intervene before they Will be
called upon to vote for President and Vice Pre-
sdenl Of these United States. Already, in al
most every State of the Union, we hear the
- note of preparation" for the conflict OF opinion
that is TO take place, and he mus; be careless
observer of the I" signs of the times" who does
not see, in view of the probable result Of the
approaching contest, that the great Democratic
party of the Union occupies most critical aud
hazardous position.
That parry has the power-the numerical
strength TO ensure triumph over all opposition,
but such has been the Liberal and anti-Repub-
can policy of certain would-be leaders, and such
is no,o the spirit Of intolerance and prescription
manifested relative to the preliminary arrange
ments for the Presidential contest, that the more
moderate, consistent and disinterested portion OF
the party both in this and ether States, are be-
coming disguised and are beginning 10 despair
Of going into the struggle with a united and ne
cessarly an inrincible force. Meanwhile, the
common enemy of the Democratic party, en-
couraged and cheered on by the divisions and
dissensions in our ranks, which are palpable TO
every eye, and fred with new zeal and enthu-
siasm in consequence of the imprudent and rash
counsels that seem to prevail in the party-coun-
Il al tl,a
true interests Of the Democracy, are marshaing
their forces and preparing for The contest with
an energy and spirit scarcely inferior TO that
manifested by them in 1910, when they swept
the country like whirlwind.
This state of things ought not to be, and is to
be deeply lamentcd by every honest Democrat.
1t is, however, as our readers will bear Us wit
ness, precisely what we have often predicted
would take place, if the tone and .piri, of GER
tain organs of the party was unchecked and al.
lowed to have their legitimate effect. Our ex-
perience and knowledge of human nature has
abundantly taught us that the dctatorial dispo-
stion above alluded lo-a disposition TO thrust
obnoxious opinions upon others-a spirit OF domi'
neering and party despo,ism-an overweening
and unprincipled eagerness for oflice-and the
denonncng as apostates all more CONSCIENTIOUS
and quiet men who feel that they have "a coun-
try to serve as well as party 10 obey" would
inevitably undermine and overthrow any politl-
cal party that tolerates or practices IT, and that
il has nothing about II in conformity with Re-
publican principles. The people of this coun-
try, fortunately, are too intelligent and TOO tho
roughly imbued with feeling of independence
and Republican lberaity long 10 uphold or
sanction the proceedings of party, the leading
men and organs of which manifest such spiri'
We r, oice that it is so, as we consider 1t the
surest guarantee that we have of the perpetuity
Of our institutions and admirable form of Gov
ernmen'.
But if The Democratic party oithe Union i. in
the above described conditon-if a storm
caused by the strife which is raging between
the heated pariisans Of two Of the powerful
chiefs of the party, is brewing in the Republic
can ranks which threatens the overthrow Of The
party, what is The course that common sense
and common honesty points out as the best, IN
der the circumstances, TO be pursued2 Wha
are the wisest and most judicious steps TO b,
taken in order TO avoid the disastrous result
which The present divided state Of the party ex
cited by elimination 5ud re-crimination, mus
prod ice 2 What is the best and surest method
Of quoting the uneasy spirits Of political rivals
and Of calming the (" factilious turmoil and IN
natural excitement" created by those selfish ant
callous politicians, whose first object seems L
be to deceire the popular mind and then 10 max,
it subserrient to their unhslowed ends7
The answer to these nterrogatories will sug
gest itself to every intelligent mind. Ii is 70
the People themselves-;he real People, to turl
deaf ear TO the political wire-workers who ar
endeavoring to forestall public sentiment au
instead of wheeling themselves into the rank
of either Of the rival chieftans oyearbetore III
ddy of action, TO maintain uDlrammelled tn
right Of expressing their unbiased and 6ns
thoughts without regard to the fortunes of pal
tcuar men. 1t is for the sovereigns Of thi
land TO rise up in their majesty and rebuke tn
attempt that is now making TO ro5 them of the
free opinions by fastening them thus early
the car Of some one Of the candidates for IN
Presidency. 1t is for the honest Democracy
: thrust aside the pestifcrous horde of selfish an
! designing politicians who are always aurterin
about their ears to accomplish sinister purpose,
and TO take The field themselves in behalf of
PArmor and STATESMAN who, single handed
has "savcd the party from utter annihilatio
and the country from crushing monster" an
| at the same time unaided nv those from, a, bo,
he had right TO expect succor, risen above III
: assaults of his adversares and "worked out III
great results that make us this day more bar
py and prosperous People than we have bee
for many long years past" 1t is to effect &C
saton Of intestine quarrels, by passing by bit,