proceedings of the great democratic republican meeting in the city of new york, january 2, 1838 (1838)

AT a meeting of the Democratic Republican Electors of the City and County of New York, heldatthe City Hall, January 2d, 1838, pur-suantto public notice, the call having been read, the m

Glass _£L52l^ Book iiL£5_

AT a meeting of the Democratic Republican Electors of the City

and County of New York, heldatthe City Hall, January 2d, 1838,

pur-suantto public notice, the call having been read, the meeting was

organ-ized by the appointment of the following officers:

BenjaminC Gale,

WilliamL.Morris,

LeviCook,UzalP Ward, BenjaminBirdsall,

Andrew Lockwo«d, JamesD.Oliver,

ARthony W'oodward, JamesC Stoneall,

Edwin Townsend,

Jacob V Carmer,CalebW.Lindsley,

William Wycoff,

JacobS.Baker

were presented and unanimously adopted

1. Resolved, Thai the present crisis calls upon the Democratic Republican party toerectthe standard of Jefferson and Madison, andto proclaimandreinstate the principles of'98;to

frown uponeveryefl'ort to engraft noveldoctrints uponthe great " essential principles"

sentiments

2 Resolved, Thatina republic,it isessentialtotheliberty,safetyand happinessof the

thatwhenthis vital principle ceases to operate, when theconvenience ofthe many is

disre-gardedormadesubservientto political ambitionand self-interest, itbecomes a publicdutyto

bringtheadministration backtofirstprinciples,toguard against future encroachments, and by

ofthegovernment, andthe prosperity of the people

pure and immutableprinciple ofprivate morality." That "there is no truthmore thoroughly

connec-tionbetweenthegenuinemaxims of an honest andmagnanimouspolicy,andthe solidrewards

hostility to the institutions of the Statesandthebusinessinterestsof the people, and which isnowcoupled with anefforttouniteineffecttheswordand the purse,evincesthe existenceandpredominating influencein our national councils, of a spirit which hasgreatlyendangered and

happiness

5 Resolved, That theschemeofdestroyingallstate mstitutionswhich has beendeliberately

formed and which isnowdistinctlyand boldly avowedas an "ulterior object" which is so

these States

6 Resolved, That the Sub-treasuryschemeis an importantfeature in theaccomplishment

thegovernmentpress in 1834, stigmatizingitas ameasure "disorganizingand revoliiuonary;

subversive ofthe principles of ourgovernment, andofitsentire practice from 1789to thisday,

and which willincalculably enlarge thepowersof theExecutive and exposethepublic treasure

tobe plundered by an hundred hands whereone cannot nowreachit."

rightfullybelong,—producing violent fluctuations in the price of labor and value of property,

makinganinvidious distinctionbetweenthecurrencyof thepeople and thatof their servants, to

ex-pressed bythedemocraticState ofGeorgia, will be followed by an immensemajority of the

"the liberalsupervisorypowersof"anyindividual,orwhichhas foritsfoundation "the

theSenate of theUnited States,intheyear 1826, whenopposingtheadoption of a simihir ject;—that "nowthe attemptistobemade,ifnotinanopen and unequivocal manner,atleast

isan odiousexercise ofpowernotgranted bythe constitution, andthatthiswas neverdone and

never attemptedinany country onthe faceoftheglobe."

promulgated inthiscity in 1829, bya faction,of whichRobert DaleOwen,a discipleofFanny

being,aiLequalamountof property on arrivingat the age ofinaturily,and duringininorily,

equalfood, clothingaiideducationatthepublicex/)CH«<;,"and whichwouldtotallysubvertthe

meansofrelief was"the electionofmen who fromtheirownsufferings knoiohow tojeel,and from consanguinity offeelingwould bedisposedtoafford theremedy."

maintainit,has noprinciplesincommonwith these Destructives, whether pursuingtheir"

"equalrights party," or"locofocoparty.''— Thattheirdangerous designs were heldin meritedcontempt,until someleading portionsoftheir policywere declared governing principlesof the

sta-tions

12 Resolved, That we observed withpainandregret that portionof thelate messageofthePresident whichreferstothe recent electionsand attemptsto explain theresult That we

hascastan unfounded reproachu]")onthe citizensofhisnative State,and unwarrantably

13 Resolved, That we highlyapproveof the firmand independent standtaken bythe

andpoliticalorthodoxywhosebriefswayof the party organizationhas produced suchgeneral

em-barrassmentinthebusinessconcerns of the people,and involvedtheadministrationinpecuniaryandpoliticalbankruptcy

fordaring tovindicate the sanctity of the publicfaith,and advocatetheprotectionof private

Loco-focos,are entitledto thehighestconfidence and enduring gratitudeofthe people

15 Resolved, That weapprovethetalent, zeal andfidelitywhich hasmarkedthe course of

theMadisonian,andrecommendit tothesupportof ourrepublican fellow citizens throughthe

Union .

16 Resolved, That the variousexperimentsmadeduringthelastfewyears to imj)roveourcurrency andenlargeour specie circulation,haveendedinthe derangementof theone,andthe

totaldisappearanceof the other Thatthe present suflerings of thepeopledemandthe application

-17 Resohcd, Thattheattempttostiflediscussion,and preventthe heresies of thoseinpower

from being exposedtothe publicview,by excludingthemeetingofDemocratic Republicans from

TammanyHall,notwithstandingtheconsentof the proprietor,andthe approbationof theofficers

oftheDemocraticPi-epublicanGeneralCommittee was first obtained,is anadditionalevidence

(iftheaudaciousandprescriptivespirit which characterises the destructives,andof their

deter-minationtoprostratelibertyofspeechandthought

our political lives,receives additionalandfearful importance fromthefact,thatithasbeenpro^

duced bytheunwarrantableinterferenceof Custom House Officers,inthepay of theTreasuryDepartment, and portrays thedangers whichare justlyapprehended from a fartherextension ofExecutivepatronage,incolorsstrongerthan language canexpress

andtoadoptsuchothermeasuresasmaytendmosteffectuallytoarrestthe progress of radicalism,

and maintain theascendancy,and perpetuatethe principles of theDemocratic Republicanparty

1stWard— Benjamin C Gale, Thomas W.Wells,JohnR.Peters

2d Ward —Willett Seaman, George C Baldwin,HenryD.Gale

Ward — W.

4tliWard —Elijah W. Nicholls, Mortimer DeMott,Abraham 11.VanNest.

5thWard —Joseph Mccks. John G Rohr, JohnHarlow

7thWard —Levi Cook, John J.Cisco,James C Sioneall

8thWard —EzraS Conner, C C Jacobus, Albert G.Stacey

9thWard —Richard B Fosdick,WilliamL iMorris,Garrett Gilbert

10thWard— M M Qiiackenbos, William H Peck, PeterS.Titus

11thWard —Jeremiah Dodge, GeorgeWillis, John Heeney

13thWard—E.D Comstock, George^W.Youle,AndrewMills

14thWard—AlfredStoutenburg, John R Rhinelander,Edwin Townsend.

15thWard —Frederick A Gay, E.H Warner,IsaacLucas

16thWard — JamesN Wells, John Delamater,Jas.Flanagan

17thWard — James B Murray, Edward Sanford, IsaacH. Undcrhill

Resolved, Thattheofficersofthismeeting beacommitteetoprepareforthwithandpublishan

AddresstotheDemocratic Republican Electorsof the State ofNew York, in conformity with

Resolved, ThatMessrs.Winslow,Saiiford, Gay, and Jenkins be a committeetopublish the

proceedings ofthismeeting, togetherwiththeAddress and Resolutions

Theofficersofthemeeting adoptedthefollowingAddress

York wouldnot take the liberty of addressing youuponthedeeplyinterestingquestions of our

;

involved the commerce, navigation,manufactures, and internal trade of the country, in the

deepest embarrassments, andinflicted the mostunparralleledsuffering and protracted distress

throughout our once prosperous and happyland

Inthemidstof aprofoundanduniversal peace among nations,in the possession of allourformer resources,and surroundedby all theelements of our former enjoyment,we have beenthrownintoconvulsionsviolentandunnatural, precipitated through long suffering intoan abyss

ofruin,fromwhichissues forthnothingbut alongtrainofevilsandmisery Inconjunctionwith

thespiritof radicalism madeitsopen appearance,elevatingitsvoiceof destructionovertheawful

allmembersof society Thefarthermanifestations of thesamespirithasledtoanorganization

ofanewjjarly,andthe'publication of rules offaithandpractice, notknowntothe oldDemocraticRepublicanprinciples and usages, has endangered the Republican principle-^—threatened the

meansof best subserving their owninterestsdictated Previouslytothe year 1834theyhadbeenknownas theworkingmen'sparty, and in the autumnof thatyear,throughthe organiza-

handsof theDemocratic Republicanparty

were chosen and installed as public legislators in our State and National councils Thus

party,andderivingsubsequentlysomecountenance for a portion of their sentiments fromthe

leadandmaketheirdogmasthe creed of the Democratic Republicanfaith That our fellow

revo-lution,we deemit our dutytoplace brieflybeforethem the declareddesignsof radicalism, thatthe "ulterior objects" of the present movements may be foreseen,and circumvented bythe

declared themselves "against Banks, Auctions, Charters,Exemptionsof Church and Priests^

properly from taxation," and,Intheir published report at thattime,call for the abolition ot

Banks, andfurnish a planwhichmayhave beenthe basis of the sub-treasuryschemeofourown

leftof ago.vernment which has denied toeveryhuman being an equal amoiint of property

ON ARRIVING AT THE AGE OF MATURITY,and,J[)re-BJO«S thereto, EQUAL FOOD, CLOTHING AND INSTRUCTION AT THEPUBLIC EXPENSE They callourcitizens "robbersand plunderers,"

whodenyto themthe equal enjoymentof the"materials of nature, which,"they declare tobe

'•

thecommonand equal right ofall." They propose to accomplish this "civil revolution,"

Thesewere nosecretproceedingsof abandof conspirators againstlibertyandhappiness,but

theopen sentimentsof a public meeting,composedof manyofthemenafterwards formingthe

"equalrights," andnowthe -'loco foe o"(party,and havingentire "consanguinityof feehng,"

Fellowcitizens! wehave maintainedafaithful,vigorousandfora time,wehoped, asuccessfnl

over-threwthemonthememorableoccasionof their lighting their torches,and obtaining their

ticket Entertaining a generoirs dispositionat all timesto conciliate without sacrificing our

surrenderingourprinciplesorbetraying our cause tomaintain itspoliticalascendancy These

promotingthe electionof theirown candidates,and striking offthe namesof theDemocraticRepublicans onthe same ticket,and presenting the extraordinary spectacle of a state of waratrainst us,whilewe wereundera treatyofpeace with them

Whilethiscontestbetweenthe antagonist principles ofDemocratic Republicanism and Loco Focoism has continued unabated, but by our efforts toconciliate, occasional advantageshavebeen gained by the Loco Focos, and their numbers have become enlarged bythe additionofthosewhoare studious of the current ofexecutivefavor,from the similarity traced between someexecutive communications andportions oftheirdeclaredsentiments

Theseoccasionalcoincidences have been greeted bythe Loco Focos,asevidences of "

When the first message of the President was conlmunicated to Congress,and publishedthrough the land, thatdocument washailedbythe Loco Focos as themirrorof their doctruies

expresstheapprobation"ofthewhole genuinedemocracy""of agovernmentalsystemof finance

foundedexclusivcbjuponthe constitutional currency,goldandsilver," and pledged themselvesto

rallyround and upholdthepresentadministration "inthespeedyrestoration ofagold andsilver

currency." Thejournalpublishedin thiscitywhichwaslookedto,as the fountain of ultra

loco focoism recognisedintheavowalof principlesandrecommendationofmeasuresof thatmessage,

by expressinggreat joytofind themrepentedfrom the representative of theAmericanpeople

messagehad never claimedtobea supporterof,or been recognized bytheDemocratic

HadthePresident inthe firstmessageexpresslydesigned to secure the favorand support of

theAmericanpeopleandcommandtherespectoftheworld,"he could not probably have gained

moreapplausefromthe loco focos, ormoresurprised thegreatmassofhisfellow citizens!

Wehave beenactive andzealousineffectingtheadvancementof the chiefmagistrate of the

andin earlydays oflittle promise.— Weentertained the hope and expectation thatthe

Presi-dent would cometo theadministration of the general government in a magnanimous spirit;

thathewouldcheckthe tendencytodepartfromthe oldestablished principlesandlandmarksoftherepublicanparty, thathewouldadhere to the republican principles avowedbyJeffersonand

Madisonasthe basis oftheirrespective administrations,andmsofaraswemight have "

deviat-edin concessionstotheloco focoswouldhastento regain theroadwhich alone leadstopeace,

whichinourjudgmentwere notcalculatedtoaid thecountryin itsdistress,butonthecontrary

demanded exceptbytheloco focos, thesecomprisingavery smallpartof the greatbodyof our

message,weassembledinpublic meeting and made knownthe results of "our dispassionate

comparison ofopinions."

In regardtothe Sub-Treasuryschemeand the nationalbankruptlaw, applicable solelyto

re-commendationsof thePresident,and accordingly published our dissenttotheworld Without

and hisCabinet,by Vice PicsidentVan Burcnand allthe democratic members of Congress;

granted hythe Constitution"wasoneof the mostprominent of his actswhichsecured tohim

and adopted as a faithfulexpositionoftheviews for whichtheycontended, and froma perfect

knowledgeof the total differencebetween Democratic Republicanism and Loco Focoisin,and

"the honor and interestsofthecountry." Wehave seen with deepanxietyanddeepregretadeterminationonthe part of theNational Executiveto persist in his course, the tendency ofwhichis to give the predominance to that faction in whosehands, our citizens are convinced

personalfreedom

Wehaveshowntoyouthedesignsof someof thesedeluded men in theyear 1829, andwe

discontentedineveryfreecountry They'arechieflyidleand unemployed,orfillingsmalloffices,

dangerof individuallibertyand property in their hands thanbyreference to theirproceedings

bills,posted invarious parts of thecitybearingprominent inscriptionofthe catch words used

"infavorof a separation of BankandState." After passing a series of resolutions proijosing

wanton destruction!

Can we who have witnessed this, be soothed into a state of insensibilityto ourdanger as

Republicans and citizens When we behold the common principlesand sentimentsofthese

men"repeated fromthe representativeof the Americanpeople!" When we behold the rentof official confidence andcommunication addressedtothe leadersof thesewretched men,

found tobe astrongconsolidatedAnti-Republican andirresistible executive government] In

In viewofthissituationof theDemocratic Republicanparty,wefeel calleduponto expressour sentiments withdeliberationandfidelity,andtosummonthosewhowithus, inembracingthe

Democratic Republicanfaith,consecrated themselvestothedefenceof the rights of the Statesand

We-their principles,ifourpoliticalbrethrenremain true tothemselves In a governmentfounded

bythepeoplefor theirown benefit,and bythe Constitution ofwhichthewill of thepeopleis

the paramountlaw,withfrequent electionsand vote byballot,thereis littlereasontoapprehend

power,forgotten thesourceand foundation of theirgreatness and swayedaniron sceptreover

new demand was but ashade differentfromthat beforeacquireduntil theveryshadowof

themost wholesomeand necessarytothe publicgood," and ourancestorsthrewofftheyoke posedupon theirnecks by such a grievance; but we have no petty tyrantsin the growth of

im-this soil offreedom "tofatigueusinto a compliance with their measures" or toprevent ourassemblingto" oppose withmanlyfirmnessallin\asionsonthe rights of the people."

protec-tion, and friendsof the Constitution administer I upon Democratic Republicanprinciples,

re-gardingthepeople asthe soleand safedepositoryofall power,principles,andopinions,which

inanyand everyshape,whetherrulingwitha dictatorialand imperiousswayby asingle autocrat,

We avow independence of mind, freedom of thought,freedomof discussion, "thearraignment

ofallabusesatthe bar of publicreason" asthe essential attributesoffreedom; and thecivil

and moralobligationofallcitizens to "improve their reason and obey its mandates"as theonlysafeguardin aDemocratic Republican Government.

W'ehave witnessedmanyevidencesthatthe practiceunder ourgovernmentis an invasionof

views of leaders have beenmadetocontrol the parly, insteadof theviewsof theparty having

honor of the country'!" some have delayed an expressionoftheiropinionandsaid "letus wait

until themessage ofthe President appears,andthenwe shallknoivwhatto do/" that when

considering the meansof best promotingthegeneral welfareand advancingthe greatestgood

of thewhole,othershaveinquired what the President mightthink, and not what the People

demandedorwouldapprove Wehave witnessed occasionsinwhichsomeof the representatives

thesenseof their dishonor andthe discredit ofourbelovedcountry,in the generousfervorof

"theirconsciences didnotsanction;"andwehavesinceseenthecolumnsofa journalclaiming

to be "distinguished bythe present confidence oftheAdministration," laboriouslyingtodestroythese individualsandstripfromthem theconfidence and supportof thePeople!

Permitusbriefly toadverttothe firstcourseof the administration of thegeneralgovernment,

upon whichtheywerebased,andtoenable ustodefine ourpoliticalcoursebythe rulesof well

General Washington was elected thefirstPresident of theUnitedStates, andhad been

the Presidentof theConvention which framedthe Constitution He commenced his

peopleuponthefertilityof our resources; the increase of national respectability, and creditand.bore honorable testimonytothepatriotisnsandintegrityofthemercantile and marineportion

ofourcitizens,declaring that"the punctuality of themerchantsindischargingtheirengagements

had been exemplary." Hefarther declared that uniformityinthecurrencyof theUnitedStatesis

and manufactures oughttobe advanced byallproper means

He wassucceeded byJohn Adams, under whose administration there was a manifest

ten-dencytoenlarge theExecutivepowers ofthegeneralgovernment,toencroachuponthe rightsof

generalgovernmentandtomaintainand defend the rights ofthe Statesand ofthePeople, theDemocratic Republicansof '98 united as apoliticalpartyandelectedThomasJefferson.Theirdesitrns and desires weretolimit thegeneral governmenttothe external relations of

rifrhts of the States against consolidation,and throughtheseparate State sovereignties,

embracedthese principlesinearlylife ;wehavemade themthe ruleof^ourfaithand thecement

ofourpoliticalunion,andwe heredeclareaninflexibledeterminationtomaintainthemin their

them on thepagesof thisaddress,andajustsenseof theirdeep importance and solemntruthwillcaude them to sinkdeep into your minds

men, ofwhateverstate or persuasion, religious orpolitical; peace, commerceand honest

all their rightsas themostcompetentadministrationsforour domestic concerns,andthe surest

bulwarks agamst anti-republicantendencies; the preservation of the generalgovernmentin its

lopped by the sword of revolution where peaceable remedies are unprovided; absolute

ac-quiescenceinthe decisions of the majority thevitalprincipleof republicsfrom whichis nopeal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent ofdespotism; a well-disciplined

them;thesupremacyof theciviloverthe military authority;economyinthepublicexpensethat

ofinformation and the arraignmentof allabusesatthe bar of public reason—freedom of the

reforma-tion The wisdomof our sages and bloodofour heroeshave been devotedtotheirattainment

Theyshould be thecreed ofourpolitical faith,the textof civic instruction, the touchstoneby

whichtotrythe services of thosewetrust,and shouldwe wanderfromtheminmomentsof error

Here wehave givento usthe greatlandmarksofRepublicanism "thecreedof ourpoliticalfaith,thetouchstoneby whichto trytheservicesofthosewetrust,"and " hewhoisnotwithus

In the messages ofMr Jeffersonto Congress he declares that agriculture, manufactures,

commerce and navigation are the four greatpillarsof our prosperity,"andstates that

always happy to commit theaffairsof ourgovernmentto the collectedwisdomof the nation,

and pledged himself to carry the legislative judgment int,oexecution,and tenderedhiscordial

concurrenceineverymeasureforthepublicgood Mr.Jefl(>rsonalso stated thathe " lookedto

Conoressforthemeasuresofwisdomwhichthegreat interests 6f thecountrycommittedtothem demanded," and"gave them the opportunity oiproviding themeansvi\\\Q,hhe\\astoexecute.^'

Hesubmittedto Congress whether "the great interests of agriculture, commerce, navigation

and manufactures could be aidedin their relations,and whether anything could bedoneto

ad-vancethe generalgoodas within the limits of the functions ofCongress." Andhe assuredthe

of ourcountry,theymight count onhisheartyco-operationand faithfulexecution." Mr

Jeffer-son assumed the administration of theExecutive(not Legislativeand Executive,) department,and promisedco-operationwithCongressineverymeasurethatmight tendto securetheliberty,

for the coursehewastopursue,^'and declared that "he wouldpursue withsincere zeal that

whichtheyshould approve."

These,fellowcitizens,were therepublican practices ofThomas Jefferson in the

beau-tiful illustrationof the republican principlein hisunlimitedconfidencein,and attachmentto,the

WelookinvaintothemessagesofMr Jefferson,foianyindicationsofafancied superiority,

on hispart, indevotiont.othe constitutionalandtothe[performance of theproperfunctions of his

office,overthe representatives of the people, or charges implyingdoubts of the capacity or

citizens, tokeep anddisburse the publicrevenue;orany urgingof specificmeasures, not