The Madisonian

The Richmond Enquirer is at perfect liberty to yield to the requests of its Sub-treasury friends, to put their construction upon our articles, and to puff the Globe, and protest against the Madisonian. If it can yield thus much, why not go over entirely to the Destructives? Or does it mean to lend such an opposition to the Sub-treasury "as to give to it the best prospect of success"—for the Enquirer knows, as well as we, that,

"Slight impediments in fancy's course
Are motives only of more fancy."

If the Enquirer disclaims our sentiments in regard to compromise on this Sub-treasury question, we submit, whether it does not disclaim a cardinal maxim of Jeffersonian Republicanism. The Enquirer itself says, in the last number, that, "one of the GREAT PRINCIPLES of the Republican party is a proper degree of jealousy and vigilance over the Executive power." On this very principle the Sub-treasury divides us. We are then divided on cardinal principles. Now what does Jefferson say: "We have both, no doubt, formed our conclusions after the most mature consideration; and principles conscientiously adopted, cannot be given up on either side."

We cannot give them up. The Enquirer may boast of its having urged the Special Deposite Scheme from the beginning—we can take equal credit perhaps for having opposed it from the moment we examined it, and discovered its entire impracticability. We oppose the "divorce" in every shape. We go for Banks in preference to Sub-treasurers. If we cannot get State Banks, we must have a National Bank. The Sub-treasury is the last scheme we should think of supporting. Indeed we cannot think of supporting it at all. We never will consent to see the miserable humbug adopted. It is the worst possible financial scheme that human ingenuity can devise for a Republican country. We never shall admit one jot or tittle of it, in any form or degree. We shall admit no compromise or conciliation on the grounds we contest. If the Sub-treasuryites will abandon their schemes of destruction, and come back to the Republican ground, we can compromise the personal opinions, and conciliate the private feelings that have grown out of this controversy; but our principles—never, never.

Let the Enquirer observe the estimation in which it is held in common with us, by those to whose prejudices against the Madisonian, it has been ministering. They call us through their leading organs, "the WORST PORTION of the opposition." Yet the Enquirer disclaims our "sentiments" of joy at the increase of our numbers in Connecticut, and protests against our rejecting any propositions that may be made for compromising our principles!

We are as disinterested in this matter as the Enquirer. We, too, "are content to put down the Sub-Treasury system," and when that is put down, so that it will without doubt stay put down, the purpose for which we came to Washington will have been accomplished, and we shall be willing to withdraw the Madisonian from the field, and return ourself, as we hope to do, to the less exciting walks of professional life.