The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-17

We have met, trust reemen of the great State Of
OHIO TO discuss in spirit of candor, the great prin-
cIpes of the Kepublc-to canvass the measures pro
posed for the adoption Of the People and TO do JUS
| lice TO the CHIEF Magistrate ofthe Nation
The time is fully come apprehend when Inc PeO-
pie should know their own powers and their conse-
quent responsibilities. The time has GONE when wild
party spirit, goaded by supreme seIiishness should
be- broken down, and The sefgoverning and most
thinking soveregns of the country learned support
and defend an honest and faithful Executive, strug-
CLING TO defend their ri hts and advance their inter-
ests.
Again (soid MIR. Kreider,) Gentlemen of the Con-
ventlon thank you, and express the hope that wis
dom and prudence but resolute and fixed determine
ton, will characterize all our proceedings
Delazon Smith, Esq. chairman of the committee on
that subject, reported the following a.5
ADDRESS. g
In conformity with the invitation of two thousand
OF our fellow citizens free and responsible suraaans
OF the State of Ohio who address YOU for ourselves
and our Republican fellow-citizens have come up to
he Cap'ai In solemn convention, 10 inquire together
and consult for the good of our country and
especially ho'c in pursuance Of duty may hest
vindicate and secure, at this crisis of our national
progress the highest prosperity of the ohoie people
and the great pr ncIpes which lie at the foundation
our institutions and Government. We have confer
red fogelher-we have sought anxously with each
other for the way of truth and duty. We have done
this in spirit trust worthy of the heriters Of the
great achievements of rs. In the light which patr-
olism justice the admOnitions of honor and the claims
OF liberty shed over the prospect, pathway
broad and straight before U.S. and now, satisfied that
We are right and earnestly solictous for the happi-
ness and glory of our beloved country, desire to
submit to you, our cOuntrymen, the reasons of
CONVICTIONS and the OF ects of our endeavors.
We are together embarked in the same voyage for
the same port subject to the same liabilities of wind
and wave, hurricane and breaker, and committed to
the same ultimate destiny of wreck and rum safety
al d success.
If you require further knowledge concerning those
who make this appeal to you, ready to answer
that In respect OF the fundamental principles of the
Government and of the early dissensons of its foun-
ders In reference to them, they Republicans Of the
JeterSOnian school, In regard the political divisions
which distinguish their contemporaries and separate into
opposing political parties the body of American c-
zens, they Republicans Of the Jete,sonian school
They insist upon the truth of the doctrine which
teaches political equalty-they claim strict nerpre
tation OF the Constitution of the United States-they
deny to the agencies created by it, The exercise of any
power not specially granted, IN terms necessary
and proper to carry into effect the powers thus spe
officially delegated They refuse therefore, to Con-
gress the constitutional ght to incorporate Bank
They believe such an institution nexpedient and
dangerous to liberty. They reject the system as e1-
roneous and as hostile 10 the intentions of The Con-
sttutlon which prescrbes tax, goods imported into
the country for the primary object of protecting domes
TIC manufact RES They concede the popriety of just
and equitable discrimination, aging home pro-
duclions, n imposing du les for revenue. They are
against splendid and costly mode of administering
Representative government but admire the plain and
economical style suggested by Republican simplicity.
They are against the creation of national debt in
time OF peace. They against the assuming of the
debts of individual States by the Government of the
United States. They against the di tribniion
among the States of the public lands belonging to the
United States. They advocate a cheap adninisra
tlon-lmited expenditures, low taxes, light burdens
upon the people, and public faith unsued. They
admire the provision of the reto power ii is estab-
shed by The Federal Constitution-they vindicate
that glorious and unexamped specimen of wisdom,
worth and patriotism as uiS-as their ancestors sages
and patrios-nobk men j." holding their titles of no.
bility under he seal of the great Jehovahas they
made it. They vindcate that noble work as ii is-as
has secured TO US all, he possession of life, lber
y and the pursuit Of happiness for three quarters of
cet tuiy, and promises TO continue It's benefcent
operations towards and posterity for all time
TO come, if preserved from the sacnlegious hands of
selfish and ambitious men-saved from the ruthless
ASSIGN and magnily of the disappointed and vindic-
tive demagogue.
Very remarkable are the events which have marked
eur national history since years and deeply in,e-
resting the circumstances with which IT is ,op
connected whose results are to be for country
its glory or its shame-its blessing calamity On
an occasion like his, we may not consider these IN
detail, but are requ red by all the interests that
bind US to our country-by all the considerations
Which Impar priceless value to It's lnsuuons-by
all the love bear to the treasure of liberty
Joy, and by all the obi gaons we owe, IN respect TO
this bood bought herilage-to those who have gone
before, and to those who sha come after us, TO in
qsire with our countrymen concerning the chief topics
to which refer, and call upon them to hear and
Judge Ii it he true as our foreathes taught and
own experience confirms, that eternal vigilance Is The
price Of liberty IF be true, as they have anxously
admonshed again and again, that !" a frequent re-
crnrence to fundamental principles rs essential 10 the Ia
berries of Republic" in making this earnest appeal TO
our fellow citizens, we perform a duty from which |
there is no way of escape. As watching Tor our
counlrys welfare, and espyng sources of danger and
Signs OF coming disaster how shall we iobear to cry
aloud and spare not :" or how withhold our exhorta- |
ton TO avert the threatened stroke
Whatever may have been the opinions and ex pecla-
tions of the sagacious and far lighted man who laid
the foundations OF this glorious ConedeTacy the ex
perience of half century and more assures US
that the welfare of the people the purity of the Gov
eminent and the benc6cent influences of its admins
tration depend mainly upon IT, Executive branch, and
therefore fundamentally, upon the wisdom W hch the
people may themselves employ in the choice of their
Chief Executive Magistrate. Be it foI ultimate good
or evIl-be it, as political arrangement, happy or
unfortunate, the practical results Of our systea, as
established Ivy the Federal Constitution, show that
the ollies and iniquiies of a weak corrupt and in
competent man at the head of the State are not like
ly To be prevented arrested by the coordinate de-
partment-if, peradventure, they can beand that an
able intrepid, vlrtuous and patriotic statesman, ex
erng the legitimate powers entrusted to the Presi
dent of this Republic, may conduct his country sue
cessully through the trials and perils that invade
maintain its rights and preserve it's honor magnify
its name and elevate lis character, ward of mpend
ing ills and confer blessing and joy upon the land, al
though rivals and partlssn. oppose him at every step
and reve him for every work-and all no the RepreSen
in IelI of
y refuse their cooperation in well devised
for the common good--nay though they pile up OBJ
structons mountain high in his way according to the
power they exercise under the prescriptions of the
same Constitution. IT is common error to suppose
that in the responsibilities Of the Legislative branch
OF the Government is found the best security for the
successful and benehcent action of the Government.
The proofs Of this have, of late, thickened upon
our observation, as we have Chief Magistrate,
in new and untried position standing at the helm,