, 1857-07-17
From the Washington Union.
viii The Opposition ever be Satisfied when the
Democrats are in Power!

From the beginning Of our government the
enemies Of the Democratic party were dis,
satisfied with Jefferson and the principles
which he urged upon his countrymen foI
their adoption and guidance. His election
as Vice-Presdent was denounced, and they
raved at his election to the Presidency
They preferred even the traitor Burr fol
that high position, aud eventually gave
him their support in the House, where the
contest was finally settled. Jefferson's
cabinet were the objects of the most severe
animadversion. The harshest epithets
which our language afforded were applied
to his measures. They were neither pleased
with his embargo, nor satisfied without it.
The federalists denounced him as the tool
Of France, who helped achieve our indie
pendcnce while they eulogised the Brit
ish, whose aggrcssions upon our rights
forced us into a war with her to defend
them, in which contest they zealously sup
ported our enemies and opposed their own
country They insisted that Jeilerson's
election would prove a curse, if not the
downfall of our republic When he ac-
quired Louisiana they denounced the pur-
chase as unwse and unconstitutional. Mr..
Madison, who succeeded him, inherited
their hatred in an equal degree. They de-
nounced him, and the war in which the
country was involved, and rejoiced over
our defeats and groaned over our victories
Gen. jackson, the wisdom and frmness Of
whose measures resulted in the victory Of
New Orleans, closing the war in blaze of
glory, was denounced in every variety Of
form. For properly chastising end punish
ing English traitors who were instigating
Indians to new atrocities, be was charged
with tyranny and murder. A federal ma
jority in the Senate of Massachusetts for
mally resolved that it was unbecOming
moral and religious people to rejoice over
the victories which our military and naval
commanders were winning. The Hartford
Convention was convened by the federal
party to dictate measures to Mr. Madison
1t sought, through abolition jealousies aud
sectional contests, to defeat the election Of
Mr. Monroe. By clamoring against his
purchase Of Florida, and the increasing
prosperity Of the South, they sought to de-
lGdb Ills IC-tlGCliOus w HCu OuGh-
son was brought forward for the Presidency
he was denounced as military cbieftain
who would ruin the country, and bring
upon it q curse, worse than "waF, pesii-
lence and famine" His wise and patriotic
yetoes called forth their most bitter anath-
emas, while his resistance of the efforts Of
the United States Bank to control the leg
slation, business, aud politics of the eoun-
try, occasioned the most vehement abuse
which excited ingenuity could command
His firmness towards Trance and Mexico;
in claiming the payment Of indemnities due
us under treaty stipulations, was stigma
zed as insane madness, manifesting desire
to plunge our country in foreign wars.
When the Democracy inaugurated the sub
treasury, it was stigmatised as wanton
effort to provide oflice-holders with gold
and silver currency, and to turn the people
of with paper money. When the opposi-
ton acquired the asceudeucy, they instantly
erased this measure from the statute book
But the wisdom and irmness Of the democ-
racy soon restored it. Mr.. Polk's resent
ment Of the Invasion Of our soil by Mexico,
they bitterly condemned. His acquisition
of New Mexico aud California met their
strong disapprobation. Clothing the peo-
pie in our new Territories with authority
to govern themselves called forth the bit
terest invectives.
The opposition have never admired self
government. They claim that they alone
are qualified to govern. They predicted
ruin to the country if Mr.. Buchanan should
be elected President. But the country
goes on prospering His Inaugural greatly
displeased them. The recent elections,
however, show that the people are satisfied
with it. The last subject Of complaint and
denunciation is decision Of our natiopal
judicial tribunal, determining points Of law
against their professed views, and establish
ing the illegality Of some Of the theories
upon which they had hoped to ride into
political power. Those who remember the
history Of the past will know how to ap-
preciate their present clamor.
1t is quite certain that the Democracy,
when acting within the limits of constitu-
tional power, can never please the opposi-
ton. Our opponents have q strange
affinity for the enemies Of our constitution
and laws, giving daily preference to the
enemies and violators Of both, over those
who support them. The Democracy will
best perform their duties to themselves and
the public by continuing to maintain the
constitution and aseendency Of the laws,
and promoting the public good in all con
stitutional ways, never expecting to satisfy
the opposition, while they may safely refer
to their groundless complaints as the most
reliable evidence that their own cause is
constitutional, wise and just, and tends to
the perpetuity Of our glorious Union.