The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-30

VINO may diher from you in the choice Of presl-
uun.si candidate They breathe q spirit of
o,ia'ion manly concession and forbearance which
II initiated by the friends of other candidates. can
not 'ai' 70 bring about harmony and union in the
Democratic ranks, which is so much wanted at
ms We. y Is to be regretted, that any por-
uon % me democratic party have proper TO
make war on the President and his friends and car
ried that war SO far as to seek to exclude them from
the democratic ranks. he great test OF democracy
y principle, and we should form our opinions Of men
IRON Inc principles they profess. The democratic
parry =. ~ favor 81 strict construction Of the Con-
stlution o. the United States, taught by Jefferson
and incucated by the Virginia resolutions Of nine
eigbt which have long been considered great doc
rinaI points us the text book Of the democratic party
They are IN favor Of aplain, simple and economical
l'goysrn@snt, They are opposed n the creation Of
UnNedsStates sank, upon eonstituannat ersunda and
fromta Conviction Of is ,oexpedlenay. Ihnx ars op.
posed 10 a distribution Of the nresseds of he pub
lie Ilnds onD Ne States, and $500 ta1lN a4psanp,
I tus10t tn State sasb<s ~ ~ U 1Gi aun1ie
They are opposed to Protective Tariff, designed to
build up one class of our citizens at the expense OF
the rest. These principles and these measures on
which the country is divided furnished the true
ground by which we test the claims of men to be
cognized as democrats. How does the President
stand on all these queslons' He is known to be in
favor OF strict construction of the Constitution.
We find him, not only recognizing, but practicng
upon this principle IN his vetoes of the two Bank
bills. Ii we travel back in the history of his long
political life, we will find that the views expressed in
his veto messages, are but reteration of those he
had long entertained and repeatedly expressed, I'M
der the most solemn sanctions of official duty. Ex-
travagance in his Administration is not among the
charges that have been brought against the President
lie has recommended, in strong terms, economy
and retrenchment in the public expenditures, and it
is for Congress to carry out this recommendation
tie has given evidence, of lis hostility to United
States Bank, which cannot be doubted or mistaken
TT e circumstances under which he arrested this mea
sure and the Roman frmness he displayed in saving
the country from 6 the blightng curse of an ire
sPonsible moneyed oligarchy." entite him surely to
the respect and gratitude of every Democrat in the
land. To appreciate the act properly, we should
consider the circumstances under which the Presi-
dent was called upon to act and the consequences to
the country if he had failed to arrest the MEASURE
We would now have had fastened upon US United
States Bank, with all its corrupting and dangerous
Influences without the hope of being able to rid the
country OF 1t Tor the next twenty years. Who will
now say, that at the end of that time it would
not have been able to perpetuate itself? Who will
say, that the man who alone arrested this measure
and preserved the Constitution Of his country from
violation, and prevented the will of the people from
being disregarded, is not entitled to respect aud
sheraton from the Democracy At the time the
President thus threw himself in the breach he ecev
ed theappause OF the entire Republican party of the
country. The furious assault Of the Wits
miiisaed by the bcid and manly voice of approval
from the iilustrlous sage of the Hermitage.
He has arrested that than useless and decep-
tive measure, the distribution of the proceeds Of the
public lands among the States, and is known to be
hostile to the assumption of State debts by the Gene
raj Government. HIS views the subject of pro-
tecve Tariff do not differ essentially, it is believed
from those expressed by the other distinguished DE
oocrac candidates 1t is he signed the present
Tariff law, which is in many respects highly OBJ
Jcctsonac, but under circumstances ss l~~s. osi6
able. The Treasury empty-the government
in debt, and it was absolutely necessary TO pro-
vide some means to keep il In motion and preserve
its credit 1t believed that the duties under the
former act woald not supply the means demanded by
The public exigences. Had the President returned
the present law t. Congress with objections, hopes
were entertained that il would have passed in a modi
fed less Objectionable shape. lie therefore very
properly sgLc the law, leaving it TO he modified and
amended by new Congress fresh from The people. |
On what great question of policy or principle then
does the President differ from the Democrat party
Upon every great question which para,es the |
two parties, and 10 which have above alluded, he
Is with he policy, therefore, of denouncng |
him neither accords with my sense OF Justice nor my
views of the true Interests Of the Democratic party |
That political opponents should do so, is natural
and what might be- expected. They have been de-
ieaied in one of their fayorite measures-one that |
stands at the head Of the list aud which they have
long advocated, and no doubt ardenty desire to
established, under the belief that it would promote
the interest OF the country That thes should, under
prise no one. But must confess have been unable,
from The hrs to tie policy ju.tice Of any De-
mocrat Joining the Wings IN The wal fare the Pre-
sldent. Has there been any thing in the details OF
his Administration which would Justify this warfare
Ii must be admitted by even those who have mani !
ested so much hostility TO him. that he has BEEN to
say the least fortunate in his Administration. The
Florida war; which a heavy drain on the public |
Treasury, has been brought to successful ermna. !
tion and peace and repose restored TO Southern
Lasg ,yt.L
the Mexican Government to the entire satisfaction of
the country. The Northwestern boundary question
which had for long time been the cause of much
irritation between this country and g feat Britain
and seriously threatened the repose of the two coun
tries has been settled upon terms that have met the
appreciation Of very large majority of he people Of
the United States. He has been in Office more than
two and six months, and in the receipts and
disbursements of the who'll revenues of the Govern
ment; during this time there has been no serious if
any, ENLIGHTENMENT or loss Of the public moneys
The various Departments Of the Government have
been conducted with ability, aud the public service
performed without any serious complaints from any
quarter. Under these circumstances, and with these
views Of the position of the President the great
questions before the country aud the general course
OF his Administration, have not besaled TO speak
of him and his official acts IN terms which believe
TO be Just and proper We should never hesitate to
do justice to political opponents much less
10 who, upon all the great questions before the
y,
what believe TO be his duty should have bold
ness and honesty enough TO express APPRECIATION.
We should fearessly condemn what is wrong and
approve what is right. At time like this when the |
are menaced by power ul and well or |
ganizcd party, who are preparing Tor desperate
conflict are and full of hope TO the future, we
should not weaken ranks by refusing to recognize
as brethren all who sustain our principles and
Let ii then be the duty of all who regard the
triumph of our principles as identified with the per-
Of free Institutions TO nculcate harmo-
ny and union in the Republican ranks, and gene
rous and liberal spirit towards all who may d fer
with us as to men. If this policy is adopted we will
yet triumph in the great contest of "A If different
counscs should prevail we may hope IN vain Tor sue
cess.
Yours, with great respect and esteem,
WILSON SHANNON. |
Messrs. II. N. Barstow, J. s. Perry, M. haley, P.
and VIM. Kinney, Committee.
From The OH School Republican.