The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-15
MIR. JEFFERSON AND POLITICAL DEsERrERs

MIX JEtFEkSON AND POlIIlCAL DESERTEFS.
Few men have mpre thoroughly studied human
nature, or the causes and motives Of the action of
men, than Mr. Jefferson, nor calculated their effect
with accuracy. He may well be called
prophet whose predictions seldom, if ever, failed
where political considerations were involved. We
have been struck with tho depth and accuracy of his
views concerning political deserters, and with what
accuracy he has described the course of those Of
our own times, their motives, and the consequences
to themselves and TO the party they leave In let
tor dated Maya, 1906, to Mr.. Monroe, who was then
abroad, Mr.. Jefferson said
Our old friend, Mercer broke off from us some time
ago. at first protesting to disdain joining the ederasts
yet from the habit Of polg together, becoming identified with
aem Without carrying over with him single person.
he is now in state of as perfect obscurty his name
had been known. Mr. j. Randolph is in the same
track and will end in the way His course has ex
ercised considerable alarm. Timd men consider it as
proof Of the weakness of the government and that it is
to be rent to pieces by demagogues and to end in an
archy survey the with different eve and draw
different augury from it, In the House of Represent
atives of great mass of good sense Mr. Randoph's
popular eloquence gave him such advantages as to place
him unrivalled leader of the house and although
not concatoy to those whom he led principles of duty
and patriotism induced many Of them to swallow hu-
Mutations no subjected them TO, and to vote M was
Tho sudden detection of such men could not but
produce momentary astonishment and even dsmay
but for moment only. The good of the House
rallied around ts principles, and without any leader
pursued steadily the business of the session. did we'll
and by strength Of vote which has before been
Upon oil trying questions, exclusive of the ede-
rasts the minority of republicans (antiedelists vo
ting with him. has been from four to six or eight against
sm ninety to hundred and although he treats the
fIeral,sta 'h incfabe contempt yet having declared
etornal onnostor 70 t administration and consequent
ly associated with them in his votes 49, WILL IKE mercer
end with him. Tho angury drawn from tn, - mat
there Is steady good sense in the legislature and in
the body OF the nation, joined with good Intentions
which will lead them to discern and pursue tho public
good, under nil circumstances which can arse and that
no gas Jauus will be able to lead them long astray In
the present case, the public sentiment as far ms decara
tons of It have come in is, without single exception
In firm adherence to the administration"
Here Mr. Jefferson fully describes those who left
the administration at the last session of Congress,
and commenced voting with their former enemies.
and from voting together, became identified with
them Although sometimes calling their former
opponents hard names, and treating them with con-
tempt still their habit of acting and voting together
placed them upon the exact ground occupied by the
opposition. Mr. Jefferson describes most accuratelv
the effect upon the deserter, and upon tho admin
istration 1t sinks the actor, and he soon becomes
forgotten, while in no respect inuros the adminis
tration. Although the people at first become
alarmed, their good sense has carried them along in
tho right track in the support Of all proper meas
urcs, utterly disregarding tho zeal or eoquenco of
those who have left the democracy and are giving
aid and comfort to their enemies. Tho assertions
OF last winter have not elevated of the desertcrs
nor have they injured tho administration or occa-
sioned continued alarm with the public. The good
of the latter has penetrated the movement and
the motives Of its actors. All good democrats will
rejoice to know how little their party Is affected by
movements intended to crush and destroy it. Mr..
Jefcrson's predictions have been again realized
The democratic party is purcr and stronger than