The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-11
From he Charleston Courier
THE PRknnrNT ma. 2


THE PRtnDENT.-No. 3.
The Congress which assembled in extra session
Immediately after the Inauguration of Mr. Van Blu
rem, found the country in the condition represented
in my last The failure of the State Banks to re-
deem their notes. made il necessary TO select other
agents for the saie-keeping and disbursement of the
public revenue. The question wax an open one
MIR. Tyler was opposed TO the recharter of the
U. 5. Bank, but he was pledged 10 the support of
no particular agency, and was under no greater obli-
cation TO iorego his own views in Differences 10 MIR.
Van Buren's recommendations than was the AFTER TO
his, and he refused, as hundreds have done Aefore
and will do again TO be harnessed TO the drag Of var
y. The truth is, that the requirements of party ave
too stringent they extend To the surrender of feel
ing, Judgment and even conscience, at the bidding
of self constituted leaders, and always the
lghtened or most scrupulous, and difference of
opinion with whom is followed by denunciaton as
abandonment of principle To be a thorough
party requires plancy and facility of con-
science that forbds any nice discrimination Of the
means by which a proposed end is to be accom-
plished and is wholly incompatible with indepen-
dence of mind OF high sense Of honor. Mr. Ty-
Ter exercised the right of judgment independent
OF the trammels Of party not at this time alone,
not as before remarked, from capricious opposition
not simply from desire to effect change in the
administration, but in harmony with his whole poll
teal life, supporting what his Judgment approved
and opposing with manly irankness the measures
which he deemed Incompatible with the welfare of
the country, or inconsistent with his views Of con-
slitutional duty. And was tn an abandonment of
principle Is this good for Withdrawing tn con-
dencc Of the people, If it be, who has any claim to
their confdence Not Mr.. Van Buren,, for he voted
for the tariff of 1928, the abomnaton of the demo-
Gratis. Not Mr. Calhoun, for he also opposed both
General Jackson and Mr.. Van Buren,. But it is said
Mr.. Tyler aided the wings in breaking down de-
mocratic administration. SO did Mr.. Calhoun
did MIR. Van Buren, in his own State at least and yet
we hear no question of their party claim. In every
respect then far as the scrutiny has been extend
| oil nha. f.,
sstency has suffered compromise, but presents at
least as fair claim to the confidence of the people
as any of his competitors; ard with your consent,
Messrs. itors, will continue the inquiry, and show
that to the present time act Of his deserves thu OBJ
loquy heaped upon him.
1t has always been my opinion that the opposition
to Mr.. Van Buren, partook of personal as much
political hostility; but whatever may have been
the motives the fact is certain that decided
and general change Of public opinion took place
during the four years of his administration than had
ever been witnessed in the political history of the
country, and manifested itself in displacing him and
elevatng Gen Harrison 10 the Presidency by an
overwhelming vote That General Harrison had
been opposed to U. S Bank was matter of history,
but it was conjectured that he would yield his own
convictions to the presumed necessities of the coun-
try and the will of the majority, and this opinion
with his great popularity rendered him the most
available candidate of the wings for the Presidency
They did not make the issue of Bank and Tariff fairly
before the people. They selected for their cand-
da e for the second Office man whose frmness and
Independence had been already tested-whose OPT
mons were as familiar Open and may add, as in
variable as the sun. Throughout the whole canvass
no reply to the numerous questions propounded to Mr.
TYLER evihce any change or hold out the slightest
lnducement to expect any change of sentiment
the important questions which divided the parties
They could not, therefore, and did not expect any
sacrifice any plant yielding of principle TO necessity
from him. The best evidence of this was the tone
OF the wing press Immediately upon the occur
| renee Of General HARRIsoNs Neutrality-suspicious.
for the one were mingled with tn eats against the
other They knep has incor7upHLle integrity and feared
his frnlness And may not add that these qualities
were also known to and appreciated by the democra-
tic party The whole press seemed to be miracuousy
impressed with the knowledge that JOHN TYLER
was democratic republlcan-that he had not tor
feed his claim to the characterized to preserve his
consistency he must act precisely he has done,
and they looked just as surely for the results which
have been realized if the Presidential seat were
occupied by John c. Calhoun or Martin Van Buren,.
Even before the assembling Of Congress the wing
leaders dis layed their game. They assumed their
own opinions as the standard, not only Of the public
wishes, but also Of constitutional prescription, and
began in advance to denounce Mr.. Tyler if he should
fail to conform to them Should not this fact, Of it.
self, satisfy the people that Mr. Tyler had been guilty
OF no breach of the democratic faitl--had sacrificed
no prncipe--had held out to the wings no hope
Assuredly it should, and if the question had been
submitted to their unbiased judgment ample justice
would long since have been rendered TO Mr. Tyler.
But the game Fl denunciaton and Misrepresentation
has not been altogether confined TO the Wing press
"A portion OF the democratic press appears to have
even greater fears that the people should arrive at
correct conclusions respecting his course and il has
labored, and is now laboring with all the which
the apprehension of disappointment TO lis hopes can
iniuse to misead and abuse the public mind. But
my iaith IN the generosity, justice and enlightened
Judgment of the American people does not desert
lhey may be misled, but they continue in
believe ne is
when Mr. Tyler will receive the need of applause
when the people will raj by spontaneous de,erm-
nation to the support of him, who through good and
ev report has submitted to every sacrifice but prin-
| cipIe TO maintain the constitution.
ABISTIDES.