The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-09
RALLY, FREEMEN-RALLY

II i, truly said that ''he price OF liberty is
eternal vigilanc e'-and hence we would can
upon the Republicans of America. at this par
ticular juncturc, TO rally in defence oil their lib
srty--lhe boon which they received from their
revered Revolutionary sires, and which they
would fain transmit untarnshed TO their chill
dfen.
AMERICAN FREEDOM is in danger We So
lemy proclaim il TO the Republicans Of Ameri-
ca, that their glorious Government, organised
in the DAYS of the illustrious Washington, Is In
danger of eng subverted by linked band Of
unprincipled and powerful PARTY rYRANTs.
No subjugated People ever acknowledged the
existence Of danger, even when the chains
which were soon to be riveted on them were
forging in their midst. Hence they were en-
shaved. IL they had been made aware OF The
danger-if they had been vlGlLANT-they would
have remained free.
AS "a sentinel on the watch-tower"-wlth no
other motive TO actuate us but the lasting wei
fare of our country--it is our imperative duty,
when soemnly impressed with the conviction
that perils beset the Government, TO sound the
alarm continually, until every freeman rallies to
the rescue, or, should we not be needed, till
Freedom is no more"
The ,ransmutaiion of powerful and ambitious
party leaders into despots, is gradual, and often
imperceptibe, until it is too late TO arrest it
The leader who bows to the People obse-
quiously to-day, may demand homage Of them
tomorrow.
In the pristine, the pure days of our Repub-
lie, the virtuous and independent citizens be-
slowed office and honor only on the good and
the gifted. They entrusted the Government
into trustworthy Lands. Their Legislators ne
yer dwelt for moment on the interests of par
ty, when they conficted with the interests Of
county. They were emphatcalIy the agents,
the servants of the People.
How different now Of late years, instead
Of dev0tng themselves exclusively to the pro-
motion of the welfare of The country, we have
seen the leading politicians devising shallow
schemes to divide the People, to divert their at
tenIion from the wants Of the country, and TO
enlist their partisan support in behalf of their
own selfish projects. The consideration of
momentous questions has ceased to be I" how
will il affect the Government What benefit
will it be 10 the People ?" and, instead thereof,
tie only question asked is, show will it affect
the popularity and chances Of this or that par
~ leaderl"
Thus is the Government being silently,
gradually, but surely turned from its original
purpose-the welfare Of the maryland con-
verted into an engine to operate only for the
benefit of the teV-the rARrY LEADERs-who are,
whether they know it or not, striving to estab-
lish Despo,ism on the ruins Of the Republic.
But the encroachments of the dangerous and
fell spirit Of party are not only exhibited in the
halls Of legislation they are likewise pail able
TO The eye in every section Of the country. Ev-
cry American, who loves his country, Will
not hesitate TO declare that no man is hi, supe-
rior in regard IL the privileges of our free Gov
eminent: yet, if one Of The forty thousand Of
fees in the gift OF The Government is sought by
\ plain America citizen, what course does he
pursue Does he consult with his equals, the Peo-
pie around him, the sorereigns Of The land, and
with their recommendations present himself 10
the appointing poweI2 This was the mode in
the first days of the Republic, when the People
had JUS, achieved their freedom, and their will
was obeyed by their servants-but has it been
80 Of late years7 On the contrary, have we
not seen The People-le cendanis Of the GREAT
FREE ProPLE-obsequiousy serring their own
naughty servants, that they might win their
fapor, and induce them TO ddrocdte their
claims at the footsIool of power2 OF late years
uhaf man m Missouri FIR ms .oulb
an appointment under the Federal Government =,
without first propi ia ing the most prominent
"lesder" 10 his State Is this freedom What
ia becoming of the sovereignty Of the People
Has not the same thing existed in nearly all Of
the States i, not the spirit Of party making
fearful progress towards the overthrow Of free
dom Are not the servants Of the People be-
coming Dictators7 DO not the parry leaders
assume the rightio control public opinion
The State Dictators are in turn dictated TO by
the aspirants to The Presidency. Thus supreme
power is fas, being confirmed in the grasp OF
som. three or four irresponsible men, instead
Of remaining with the millions, as was designed
by the Constitution. These three or -four aspi-
rants control the action Of Congress. When
any measure is brought forward, 1t is asked
WHEEL A., b. or G. is in favor of it7 Its in.
uinsic merit has nothing to do with the proba
bIliues Of its passage. Congress is pariitioned
among the three or four sspirants. II any one
Of them comm inds majority, believes a certain
measure will enhance his "prosp,c cts" and sign
hes his wish fUr 1t, passage, then il Is done. Ha.
the American Congress come to this Republi.
cans Of America, look AID judge for your
selves
:" Eternal vigilance is the price Of libery"-
Hitherto every Republic has fallen, because tn,
generous and cop6ding People have uniformly