The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-12-06
THE MESSAGE.a

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in it, the manliness and perspicuity Of its style
and. above all the traly American spirit which
it breathes throughout, will bear .. favorable
comparison with any similar document which
has ever emanated from Chief Magistrate q
our Republic. Il will stand the test, we think mn
of any honest criticism, however severe or IN
charitable. No conscientious man., Of any par
iy, can read this Message carefully, from beg'n
ming to end, and not confess 70 himself, that i
the author of it is in amy mannev usait for sbce
allied station 10 which an overruiins Providence
so Unexpectedly called him, il is not from Wan'
of capacity or patriotism; and that II, as some
would hatter themselves, it is the want OF q
party which disquali6es him, the People will be
likely most readily to forgive the defect IN the
pleasure of hearing themselves addressed ana
their interests discussed, IN the pain direct, and
uneouivocal language Of honesty Il is Mes
sage which the humblest can at least under
stand and which they will not understand as an
appeal 10 their feelings, in contempt Of their IN
tellecls. sd ~ t.p 9Al ~ 24@'
The commencement Of the Message, how
ever much matter of course II may seem;
ouoht we think, at "a time like the present. to
. vaken The most serious reflections OF the Peo-
Mo The land is filed with the murmurs OF
disappointed partisans, and the Chief Magistrate
himself is the object Of their uaceasing yitupe-
ra,ions; vet never were the People--those who
support. instead of seeking support from, the
Goyefnmen,--more happy and prosperous; and
il is above all, to he considered that their pros
nerity now rests on sound basis. WI hat better
conld The violence of party spirit have secured
% the Peo,ie, if its career had not been check
ed2 what better than the reality, now exist
inc IAN its boasts and promises accomplish, by
dls,roying the present sound basis, and intro
ascing again confusion, uncertainty, and dis
cord? sl3 f r3i u4ow eel
In the review of our foreign relations, the
readers ofthe Message will find much cause for
patriotic graduation, SO far, at least, relates to
the great powers Of Europe, and those of the
Southern portion Of our own continent. The
Administration has hsd no national wrongs TO
discuss with any foreign government; While Il,
attention has been sedulously and successfully
directed to the recovery Of Indemnity due 70 in
dividuals, aud heretofore withheld, through
want of decided and vigorous tone in cur Go
vernment. To this gratifying state Of our for.
eign relations exception only exists, but that,
we think, will be likely TO occasion some
surprise by its singularty, if not to COM
mand anxious attention by its import
ance We hardly need say that we al
lude TO the extraordinary and unprecedented po
4 a.. IF
founded upon discussion which it supposes is
likely TO take place in our National Legislature.
This sort of surveillance exercised by one ma
ton over the freedom of speech and of debate
in another, would appear little Incongruous
with the spirit of the age, under any circumstan-
ces, and exercised haughtily and menacingly,
by weak over powerful nation, would be bet
ter calculated to excite ridicule than serious an
imadverson This is so obvious, that our Peo-
pie would probably be tempted TO laugh at the
arrogance of their Mexican neghbors. attribute
it to a spirit Of rhodomontade inherited from
it, But weak nation may be IS well and
shrewedly governed as powerful one, by men
of as strong minds and as far-reaching views !;
and weakness is never so apt 10 buster as when
it is secretly supported by strength. Before con-
sdering these menac,s Of our neighbor in mere
ly ridiculous light, it will be but prudent for
us TO inquire seriously whether we are no, men
aced with danger from some other quarter,
where there is more real power to do us injury,
and ihaps no, less inclination TO do it, though
less di potion TO pu, us on guard by threats
or open manifestations of any kind
But, from whatever quarter the deliberations
of our Government, or the affairs of our country,
are menaced with foreign interference or con-
troll, we trust and believe that the President has
not misjudged the patriotism Of the mass of
the nation, in reiterating the firm and patriotic
declaration of Mr.. Monroe. Our People can
not, until they are dead TO every impulse of pa
lriotism and national spirit recognise any o,her
the justice upon which that law is founded
The most distant threat or intimation of sub
iectng us TO any other control should rather
have the effect of stimulating US to push our
rights TO The utmost extent, in order to make
our independence more undoubtedly manifest
10 the world, than of shrinking from the discus
sion or adoption of any measure likely to Strength
or benefit us as People, and not in violation
OF the rights of any other nation. Such is gen
orally the wisest course in an individual but in
nation the policy is imperative, and no nation
has more steadily and successfully pursued it
none, indeed, more grossly transcribed it, than
that which may be preparing to anticipate and
- Al.
itself, and which cannot fail to see that the pre-
sent state of party spirit in our country likely,
unless the nation arouses ITSELF to be most pro-
pitious to its designs. a.ea
The view which the Message presents OF the
fiscal eopdi,ion Of the Government, IA well as of
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