Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-03-18
WHO ARE THE OLD FEDERALlsrs 2

Il
val Appropriation Bill. The speech is marked Inv
strong, manly sense; and contains some hard hits
at the administration and its supporters. With
much humor and caustic severity it alludes 10 the
readiness of the latter "o dodge" fair discussion ON
the issues presented to them by the great questions
OF the day, by recurrence to the cuckoo crv of
-'Old Federaists, Anti War Party - .senem;cs of
their country" SC. These have been introduced
mot only as 50 many charges affecting the pol,ical
oflho1oSy OF the Wings, but their patriotism AS
rung by the trained yelpers Of the Executive. from
the highest to the lowest" With these stale cpl
thes' they, especially, have attempted to brand all
those VINO question the necessity, or challenge the
business of the War with Mexico
1he speaker goes on, somewhat in detail to OK
anime these charges, and to sifL the proprety of
the application OF these epthets TO the Whics-
lie ''holds up the mirror" Of Old Federalism. and
and the House must have presented an amusinu
spectacle, when the faces Of Mr.. Charles j. Ineer,
SOIL and other democratic worthless OF the present
day, were seen reelected from its polished and truth
telling surface How could these "artful dodpers',
escape from such searching questions and state
ments rs the following:
call on gentlemen over tho way to tell me- il
old Federalism was such stain, such curse upon
inc men affected by 1t, how stands tour party 3
why did Gen. jackson call one-third of his Cab
net from Federal ranks! Why did Mr. Van Blu
rem do the same? Why did MIR. Polk, the quin-
'tcssencc Of modern Democracy, place an Old and
incorporating federalist first and anot!l third
In his Cabinet Could he not find material for
his cabinet without drawing from those old ranks,
'thus Offering premium for Federal pollution ?'-
AZ would seem that man must have been ''Old
Federalist' to qualify him to represent Mr. Polk at
the Court of 81. James. He has chosen none
other, having sent two Federaliss in succession
Mr.. McLane and Mr.. Bancroft. How do YOU ac-
count for all this Federal prediction Do
hear some spunky Democrat whispering, ''they
nave changed, they have repented?" deny it.
-Oiyc me the evidence of their repentance. Not
4 mother s son of them has rcpented- Tell
me when and whore James Buchanan, George Ban
croft, Aaron tandcrpoel, or Levi Woodbury., have
ever backed one oia from their former positions %
Here, then, we are confronted by great and
powerful party, united by no ligament but the CO.
>hesvc power oi plumber; common sentiment
but the ihreadbarc name OF 'Democracy"-a par
~ conducting its entire operations system OF
'dcnmgoguetSm, appealing 10 old issues, CID names
drawing The eye oil from the true points, branding
'h.ir aIvefSares as .'old Federasls." and puming
themselves On their ''DemOcracy" Challcnro
one OF them to stand up and defend his Sublreasu-
~, "Oh, you are an old Fcderalist'' Call ON
nm to indicate his tariff, "Oh, you are an old
blue light !"-Press him TO stand up and defend
the usurrations of his President "Oh YOU are the
old ant-war party - Your father Wore the black
>cockade." I'VE are the disciples of jefferson the
true "Dcnocracy.;" 'sYOu, The old FcIcralis,s-
old Foderasts!''
These arc the charges rung by these croake1s OF
I'LL tnelr cilaCrnor
cd the maybe and thrown the blush upon the par
rot. 1t Is amusing, Mr.. Chairman, 10 see with
Wha accuracy the tune has been pitched for these.
Democratic musicians-'sold Federal - sold Fede-
raiism," blue light, Federal party" Federal
press, Federal leaders, And then ssthe De-
mocracy,- democratic party Democratic mca-
Sures, Democratic Administration" These are
the notes now being played from the highest keyed
ougle IN Washington, down, down To the lowest
pumpkin vine that toots in an Ohio cornfcld.
Yes, Mr.. Chairman, such the very potent
weapons with which are assailed, and Mr. Polk
justified In speaking OF ''o!d Federalism wish
10 be understood as casting no reproach on those
VINO were Federalists none whatever. In those
days there were honest differences Of opinon-hon-
ofaoie men upon 10th sides. In lSUl jefferson
sad I'VE are all Republicans we are all Fe-
deTailsis." In November, 1916, General Jackson
Wrote 10 Mr. Monroe, advising the appointment of
''Oid Fedaralists" TO office, and thus to destroy
.'Ihe monster IF party" For this advice General
jackson was denounced by the Albany Argus in
1924. and abused by Thomas Rltclie The issues
and landmarks that then distinguished parties have
long since been oberated the Fcderalists and
the Democrats or those days have since, more or
less, comTnngled with al parties; and no man but
an arrant dcm,goguc, CT one defending bad cause
seeking to cast dust in the ar and h!dnr the true
issue OF the day, will attempt drag up these ex
ploded distinctions, and brand his antagonist with
these obsolete eplthets. But so it is sir gentle
men prefer this mode of warfare, and | choose to
meet them with Their own weapons. said Just
now meant to adopt the Siircr rule. lf"Old Fe
liberalism" were sin. who is most contaminated
with il II having cold Fedoralists" in ones
party ta'nts it with political leprosy, where is the
purity Of modern democracy - You arc infect
cd from your head 10 your toes. Answer me Il
few questions on this score Who and where are
the 'O!d Fedcralis:s' that have come TO your
camp? What rewards and honors have Won not
heaPod upon their heads What premium have
you paid f!
Sir, begin down East; look into the State of
Maine, and there you find Rue Williams, an old
federaJ!St, now transformed into 4 modern Dem
ocratic" Senator elevated the head of the par
Of New Hampshire, the Switzerland OF modern
they work for those that pay best and whom do
you find there Ihoyy IIubbard, an cold blue
light Federalist," in whose garments vet remains
the ''SmeU Of the Hartford Convention. ;" now a
Democratic Governor, Senator, Subtrcasurer-
Close by his side stands LeUi JVoodJluV blue"
as indigo in former days; aoao Senator, Secretary !
or the Treasury. Judge Of the Supreme Court of
the United States, all by Democratic appointments
Where, tell me, where have you buried the sins Of
these ''old ue-lights'' Of New Hampshire =
With what magic wand have you changed their
Federalism into modern Democracy Look to
Connecticut. Who was Ralph |. lngersoll now
Mr.. Folks Minister to Russia An old Federal
ist. 30 were Isaac Toucey and Thomas :. Whit
tlesey. Now the one is the Democratic Governor
the other the Democratic nominee for the same Of.
flee. Take the next State, Vennont.-What
sprouts of 'ancient Federalism" do you find there
negotiating in modern Democracy? FIX Governor
Martin Crittcndcn, the man who refused 10 order