The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-16
MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER i6, ls43.
THE PAST, THE GUIDE. BOARD TO THE
FUTURE.

direction. To them the future is blank, as il
has no regard for The present aud no reference
TO the past. Truly are the "reminiscences
which rightly applied might command the tone
of events vet 10 iranspire, TO them but as the
''stern-lighs of ship, illuminating the past"
The wise, however, can foresee and direct
the coming, by past events and experience TO
them is The sign-posl that points TO results.
In political affairs this prescence is all-impor-
tant and its acquisition depends upon the ap-
pcaton of the pas, TO the future. No one can
err whose judgment is sound, and powers of
deducing conclusions from established facts un-
tainted by prejudice.
We will give our remarks particular appli-
cation. A diagram, in mathematics, aids much
the solution Of the problem.
Two years ago, and perhaps little more, the
Democratic party in this country was in state
Of lamenabe colIapse-it was so learned doc
tors thought, in lis last agonies reduced TO this
unfortunate condition by the nostrums Of empi-
res aud suffering from the general debiitalion
OF the system. Eulogies and grateful epitaphs
belong to the dead-lhey were composed with
the usual honors upon the deceased party
Nought seemed remaining 10 be done bat the
customary services that generally form the obse-
quies Of lamentpg friends.
But new life was insled into the stagnanl
bood-ssuing from the heart through the arte-
ries and other conduits, till it reached the re-
hottest exuemities. Vitality pervaded The sys-
tenn. The nerves were strengthened, the lungs
anew inflated and the body, recovering from its
death-like swoon, gradually raised itself 10 the
exertion of its sinews and limbs
Dropping metaphor, though it illustrate facts,
let us approach the naked truth.
The hurricane which swept over the Admin
istration party in 1910 had destroyed, in its de-
vaslatins course, the very vestiges of its former
position. So complete was the rout, so univer-
sal the defeat, that the survivors clung to the
few landmarks that remained as the only indi-
ces of safety and those landmarks were the
time-honored principles Of Jefferson and Re-
publicani,m-" the ancient landmarks which
our fathers had set up" These still withstood
the fury Of the storm, and those that held on TO
them could be guided to safe resting places.
But the party in itself-the Administration
party, with its whole force Of dependents, was,
as by sudden miracle, knocked out OF exis-
tence. 1t was forgotten fact. 1t was prob
I'm oil the past.
The great principle, for which the real Dem
ocracy contended in that ever memorable cam
paign, was the separation of The political from
the financial department of the Government.
The issue of that contest demonstrated in peo-
pies minds the postulatum Of the anti Bank re-
port of 10 l. e.-that no irresponsible moneyed
institution, with It's cumbrous machinery, lis
feed cashiers, and fraudulent directors, was ne
cessary to, or demanded by the cxigencies or
the daily operations of the Government The
People, IN that campaign, repudiated repudia-
tors.
But tares grew up with the wholesome seed
and threatened for a time TO overshadow its
growth. The Bank parry had obtained, by
sometimes denying, sometimes concealing their
sentiments, never by open avowal Of them, a
majority in both the Hou,es-a majority. too,
as reckless in action ii had been furtive OF
principle. The scheme Of a moneyed institu-
lion was thrust at the President by the adyo-
cates, in victory, Of principles they had careful
ly shielded from observation during the contest.
1t was rejected by the President
Those who have beguiled, in cruel sport, an
idle hour by stoning the indwellers Of a frog.
pond, have observed, during the ten porsry ces-
sailon Of the stony shower, the cautious eleya-
ton, now Of one head, now of another, among
the prosecuted denzens. The boldest raises
his head first, but observing preparation for the
discharge of other missiles, ducks it dow n again
anon, another peers forth, and, if unmol, sted, a
second; then one by one, or in d,zens at a time
Sill wary all, exchanging signals with one ano-
ther, and observant of the motions of the com
mon foe. If the attacking party retres, then
there does arise from the sonorous frog-pond
one universal crook, intended for shout Of
gladness.
Now, far be 1t f ON us TO compare Democrat
with frogs. We need say, we intend NOTHING
such. But we do remember the predicament il
which our Democratic friends were placed afte
the passage Of the Bank bill. There uer,
the Wings, in act more serious than snort
throwing at their heads milestone. Vi
starts Democratic head and, at well aime,
Int, down 1t goes again. One is seen duckins
here, another hiding there; all perspiring will
exertion, and croaking with dolelul sounds.
The Bank was vetoed the sport the Whip
interrupted. Real Democracy was gladdened
and he who had prevented the annihilation O
the party was supported by its plaudits in ,b
trying time; and when al last be came forward
and placed Democracy upon terra frma, tn
wekln rang with an universal bosanna.
We must still continue the subject and in
dulge IN farther "reminiscences Of what may avai
for future guidance. For History is pbioso
ply, teaching by example"