The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-03-26
THE MTELLIGENCER vs.. THE SENATE

"~"-HssGhTiALs, LIBERTY AND IN ALL
ssssss csAasry.-Awgxssis.
THE NTELLIGENCER vs. THE SENATE.
The attitude Of hostility towards the Senate,
whtch the lntelgencsr has assumed on the sub
jeet of Texas, is not less novel than curious
- wishes have been father TO its arguments;
they have not flowed from convictions, if its
es1smns have been faithful mirrors of its prin-
eirlrs.
Hitherto, il has with unAsggiDg zeal upheld
The diyaisy OF the Senate and its great claims
10 public confidence il has been with it, the
sheet aaehor Of hope--the preservalive princi-
Re Il the Constitution. Now, for the frs, time,
The Inteliigencer makes defams,ory attack upon
the Senate. and seeks to depreciale in public
estimation, its action upon a subject most ap-
psopsiate 10 its grave and sacred deliberations
u seeks u excite storm 10 brow-beat the Sc
nate to succomb 10 idle and ignorant clamor.
IL complains that the subject has been sprung
upon tAem. And what if il has been sprung
upon tAem? Does the lnteliigencer mean to
issinaale that the Senate will not act advisedIy
Gpos this matter? Does it express the appre-
.hension that the Senate will be guilty of ap-
proving this measure At the sacrifice of national
interests? II il does not intend these insulting
imputasions. what IL the purpose of this strange
and unjusti6able attack Ii means neither more
nor less than this: That paper, for reasons best
known 10 itself, has long since determined upon
. course on this subject, SO much at variance
with the true interests Of the People, that it
cannot doubt the action Of the Senate would be
at variance with their wishes.
The lntelligencer complains that it has not
beea long discussed before the public. And yet,
1t intervals, for twenty years, the subject has
been discussed and all the leading features are
perfectly we'll known; and if treaty be effect
ed, i will only be accomplishing that which
Msssrs. Adams and Clay sought to do.
But does the lutelligencer suppose that
treaty, sent in by the present Executive, would
pass the Senate without discussion, without re-
m ,rseless scrutiny, and without strong bias to
suspect and reject every thing from that quar-
teri Does not the Intelligencer know, that the
reasons for adopting il must be, to the Senate,
conclusive indeed? And is the Intelligencer
prepared to denounce The action of the Senate,
after mature and thorough investigation All
this 1t knows the treaty will undergo. Then,
~ il will be decided upon, only after it shall
have undergone thorough discussion in the Sc
nate, and shall have recommended itself as ad-
vantageous to the public interest, why is The In
tellisencer so opposed to submitting il to the ac-
ton Of the Senate
he Int 10 ELL ~
sity of secrecy in making treaties, and that TO
advertise the intentions Of Government is in
most instances, TO court defeat. That paper
knows also, that the FIRST information which the
nation has had of most of our treaties, has
been the announcement Of their consumma-
ton.
The Intelligencer knows, too that much vital
Information may be presented TO the Senate in
secret session, which cannot, with proprie,y or
advantage, be adduced for public discussion.
Is the Intelligencer prepared to say, that ii
wishes to take from the Senate its recognised
duties, and appeal 10 popular discussion for set
dement Of the question Does il hope for more
elaborate investigation, or wiser decision q
Why Is it, then, that il thus seeks to cast odium
and dis,rust upon the Senate in this matter?
majority Of the Senate are of its own
party, and nothing can be done against their
wishes; does the Intelligencer distrus, them
TOO Call you that backing your friends? The
lntelligencer knows full well that those mea
sures Of the Executive will receive Senatorial
sanction which art too clearly necessary for de-
NAL, and Of importance TO override party con-
sideration.s.
The Intelligencer knows that Mr. Clay has
steadily favored the union of the two countries
that he is still desirous Of its accomplishments and
that il elected ii might be among the frs, of his
acts 10 secure IL, If omitted now; his supporters
in the Senate are not less warmly in its favor.
Mr.. Van Buren, proclsims il, a. his greatest
merit, that he will 'foow in the footsteps Of hi.
predecessor" The broadcast and the deepest
imprint which that predecessor has made, is 10.
wards the accomplishment Of this grea, object ;
20 that II Mr.. Van Buren, should be elected. il
should be his FIRST aim. This question has been
fully discussed, has had the approval Of all
the leading men Of the day and IL il 10 upset
Ais settled CONNECTION, that the In,elIioencer
seeks to take the subject from the Senate. Its
assertion that the question has not been dis
eussed, is an idle pretence il Is without foon.
dation. The InielIgencer knows the Senate is
steadfaa in its favor; il hopes 10 rally one
Aird Of the Union against II.
THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MAS