The Madisonian. (Canton, Miss.) 1850-1855, 1850-07-04
PROSPECTUS
OF THE
MApLSO MAN.

The b" MADIsoNIAN" will be thoroughly
democratic in It's course. Upon the
subjects of a National Bank, Tariff,
Internal improvements by the General
Government, and the distribution Of the
proceeds of the public lands, we con-
cur in the opinions always entertained
by the great. body Of the REPUBLI-
CAN PARTY. aside from-the con-
st%itutional objections that may well be
urged against a National Bank, expe.
%rience has demonstrated that the fiscal
and monetary affairs of the government
can be safely and conveniently man
aged without the aid Of such an lnsti'
tuition.
The Constitutional Treasury, in
practical bearing, has fully come up
the expectations of its most sang uine
friends, and falsified the Vaccinations
of evil so confidently made by its enc.
mics, so that at this day, the latter nc
longer urge objections to its main prin
ciples, butsuggest only notifications in
its minor details. Upon the Tariff ques-
ton, the "MADIsoNIAN" will ad ocate
the Free Trade doctrine. By ' Free
Trade, we do not mean the abolition
OF Custom-houses, and of all duties
upon imports, but a system of CONNER.
cial intercourse, as free and %unrestrict.
ed as it a be, consistently with our
present mode Of raising revenue. Iu
short, we contend that Congress should
discriminate with a view to Rcvenue
alone, and not for protcctiom-revenue
being the only object recognized by the
Constitution in the grant of the taxing
power, 9
The power of the Federal Govern
ment to embark in a general system Of
Internal improvements, and the propri-
ely OF such a course, have ever been
denied by strict constructionists. The
difficulty has been to draw the line of
distinction between objects strictly ma.
ts0@Gt intheir character, and others not
necessarily embraced in that cate
CORY. We maintain, in common
with the great mass Of the Democratic
party that the general government
should confine its aid to such works of
internal Improvement as belong TO the
reform class, leaving all others 10 the
fostering care of the local legislatures
OF the several states, or to the enter.
prise of private citizens; believing that
the line of demarkation between such
as are national and such as are not so,
has been clearly calculated and ably
maintained by the late President Polk.
in his veto of the River and Harbor
Bill.
Should the wild scheme Of distribu.
ting among the several states, the pro-
ceeds of the public lands, be preached
by this or any other administration, we
will deem it u duty to oppose it
though in justice TO our political oppo-
nents, we must add that we do not be-
lieve it was ever seriously entertained
by any very respectable number of them
to make that measure a test Of their
party principles.
Regarding the veto power as a wise
check and a salutary safeguard against
over much-legislation, we are opposed
to any modification Of II, and utterly
condemn the demagopical spirit thai
proposes to restrict Its exercise.
The President of the United States.
being the only branch Of the law.making
power elected by the whole people, NAV
be regarded as the Tribune of the peo-
ple' armed with the veto power, to pre-
vent any encroachments upon their
rights. To abridge this power or to
restrict its exercise to a specified class
OF cases, enumerated in some new party
creed, or political c~atechism, would be
IN direct contravention of the plain
words of the constitution.
From this brief exposition of u
principles, it will be seen, that we must
be necessarily placed in the main, in
opposition TO the present Adminislra
ton, but it will be no factious opposi
ton. The "MADIsoNrAN' will not re
sign the dignity of thought and s@ervile-
~ bind itself to the car of party, but
will reserve to itself the right Of com.
mending whatever it may deem com.
mendable in its political enemies. and
OF centurlng whatever it may deem
sensurable in the course or policy Of
its own friends.
Whilst upon all measures of Federal
Politics we will not disregard our ale
giance to party, upon the great question
OF Southern Rights" we will divest
ourselves Of the feelings Of mere par.
tlsanship, and be governed in our course
by what we CONCEIVE to be ,he
interest Of our own portion o fthe con.
federacy. Though ch~erishing a deep
and abiding attachment to the Union.
the "M%ADIsoNrAN' will advocate the
strongest measures Of opposition to
III