The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-20

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iority and the President was called upon Tor his ap
proyal Of the measure. ,
la vain he pointed lls previously entertained ana
frequently declared principles adverse TO 'ho ss'ao
iishment OF such an Institution, on The broad stouu
Of It's uneonstitutionslty In vain he appealed 10 inc
good faith and consistency Of those by whom ne was
surrounded, and who had sanctioned and delehueu
his own views previously TO his elevation The nat
Of their leader had gone forth, and political osfacish
was threatened if the President remained obdurate'
True TO his principles at this trying period, he FIRMLY
met the crisis, and unhestatngly exercised the pow
er with which the Constitution had invested him, by
yetoing the bill.
II is difficult 10 conceive more responsible ana
embarrassing situation than that IN which Presla' NJ
Tyler was placed at this eyenlful period. lie was
surrounded by Cabinet, every member OF which
was urging upon him the vital importance OF the
measure He was waited upon by committee after
committee of members of Congiess-conslstng OF
the most able and influential leaders OF the successful
party-nay, so far the importantly carried mat
messengers despatched TO distant States TO sum
mon his most confidential and intimate friends, with
view 10 influence him, If human agency could ac-
compsh it.
But, fellow citizens, with mistaken frmness, with
indomiable purpose 10 sustain the principles from
which he had never sweryed, and which ad become
part and parcel OF his very nature and conscience,
he resisted every approach upon this great national
question.
AT this solemn moment be stood alone with no
to decide a question which the veal or the wo
of his country depended. majority in Congress
in the pride and triumph OF recent victory, AFRO
gaDtly demanded the sacrifice OF his honor and ms
character TO their behesls. Their opponents stood
by socitous indeed, IN all probability for the result,
but with folded arms, rendering assistance, no en-
enlargement, either 10y word or deed. The press
under the control of the congressional majority, from
Maine to Florida, stood ready TO pour forth ms vol
leys Of vuperatlon and throw down his public fame,
L., NI,Il A well
life. In the leril of that awful moment, we may
imagine that his guardian angel-the disembodled
spirit of his sainted sire-presented himself to his
mind and pointing to the glorious company oil patrl-
who are permitted to behold the scene, exclaimed
in the W rds of Harrison, Garry out the principles
of the Constitution" " You may be destroyed, but
your country will be saved" With an intrepidity
which would be desecrated by comparison with any
exhibition Of mere animal courage, he marched on
to the batteries that leyelled at his breast hur-
ed at them open defiance Of their threats, and at
single blow Frustrated the machinery which had been
so long and artfuy contrived to deliver over our
free institutions to the tender mercles OF Inoneyed
oligarchy. There is moral subhmiiy IN this scene,
worthy the study of patriot
We have dwelt felow-czens, upon this great in
cident of our recent political history and the con-
trolling influence exercised over ii by President y
er because we believe II exhibits trait IA his cha
racter which cannot be too highly commended, and
which eminenty quail iies him for the high Office he
thus preserved in all the dignity with which it is in
vested, safeguard against hasiy or fraudulent le-
gisaton.
This indomiiablc moral courage is the quality, Of
all Others most required IN the Chiei Executive Ma
gistrate 1t was that which commended President
Jackson so strongly to the favor and confidence of
his countrymen. They felt that, whatever an ephe-
neral aiority might attempt the great Interests OF
the coun ~ would be SAFE while there was a man of
" iron nerve" at the helm, who would steer the ship
according TO the chart laid down in the constitution.
A hptt p is If the that he
should err IN tie application OF negative power,
which merely suspends legislation and sends the ques
ton 10 the people for their decision than that the
madness OF party the combinations OF cupdity, or
the Vaccinations of ambition, should find plant ln-
strument in the President, destitute of the tlrmness
10 RESIST their assaults upon the Constitution.
For his conduct in this memorable crisis, he has
been denounced traitor. We cannot descend
to the eXpedient Of bandying epithets; but we ask
YOU iellowcitizens, to remember the professions and
promises IN relation to Bonk, upon which the ma
jori,y in the last Congress came into power, and
then decide WHO have been unfaltliu TO their most
sole mn pedges-who have deceived and Knocked
the people-and who have disappo uted every hope
and expectation which they held out, 10 induce the
support of generous ami couflng people Let
the most yIruien Of tie partisan papers, who de-
nounce the President be the Witnesses of what the
last Congress has done, aud of what il has undoDe,
and has II undone
II must be a source Of the highest qualification
to every friend of liberty TO observe the conss-
ency of character with which President Tyler, at
the very moment when he called upon TO
ercise the highest power of his Office, senced
forever all cavii at the purity and dsinerestedness
OF ms motives, 10y proposing 10 bis cabinet 10 ac-
company the veto message with declaration that
he would not be a candidate for the succeeding Pre-
sidentill term. IL of those decisive and
characteristic acts which does more 10 exhibit the
soul Of the individual than years Of ordinary routine
Of duty. We rejoice that such good counsel was
gwen, whatever may have been H. motive by his
then cabinet, TO induce him not TO make the de-
claration. The question is longer pc rsonsl one
involves principles of vital importance TO the liber-
ties OF the people, in which they, and they alone
have right TO speak. President Tyler is a public
man, and he must not suffer the principles OF this
government 10 be endangered wounded IN hIs per-
son. The people have right TO insist upon the OPP
portunities beng given them, to declare the appro
baton OF political integrity, and of fidelity TO their
interests IN the most trying circumstances IN which
Chief Magistrate Of this c unlry was ever exposed
and OF a hrmness OF purpose and contempt Of
danger, Of winch the pages # history furnish
ample nose Respondent IN honor We, as a part OF
the people, clam the right TO place him before the
whole country, for lis verdict between him and his
assailants
1t would exceed The limits we have prescribed TO
ourselves IN this address 10 recIpitulate the
mendstions OF President Tyler in his message to
Congr, s., by which the general course Of his policy
has been developed, nor, indeed, Is II necessary,
snce It must be familiar to all. Suffice Il for US o
give you our solemn assurances, that from the most
careful examination OF II, we have great pleasure in
giyi II our most unqualified APPRECIATION Nor can
we for one moment doubt that were hrs recommen-
daons carried out IN the liberal spirit in which III
have been made TO the late Congress we should soon
witness an improvement in the agricultural, manu-
featuring and commercial pursuits Of the country
upon solid and substantial basis
But alas fellow citizens, We have fallen on al.
verse times n which bitter spirit Of party mahg-
would Ia have thg
minds Of many from whom better things might have
been expected. Indeed, the very evil Of the day
would appear to be- that the best interest. of th.
country are sacrificed by ambitious politicians, who
would convert our elections into mere mockerles TO
carry out their unrighteous purposes.
W. look lnrMnrI. how Nrr- with uriln and nlnn.