The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-12-13
ri Dg Gnqulrer.
RICHMOND. DECEMBER 10. 1910.
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
To THE VIRGINIA LEc1s1.ru,,

can employ the councils of this nation mns,
soon De submitted to the decision of the Ilth
Congress On the fourth day of March
1911. the charter of the u S. Bank ex,
pres The national legislature must there
lore, before that time. eibaps immediateIy.
determine whether that charter shall be re.
newed. another establishment Incorporated.
or whether they will resume the old re pul,..
| iican ground occupied in 81, and disclaim
altogether the power at that time SO ABLY
though unsucccssfully opposed
VIII nor presume that the state govern
ments can stand by. idle or unconcerned
spectators IN the contest which is about to
taHe place Iney have too deep an ieieress
IN TIE question at issue, to be unmindfui Of
the event Already sister state has mani
fesied becoming solicitude on the subject.
ana mas promptly taken that step, which le
rs the object OF the present paper to prove
n@t me ely to be proper, but necessary.
! heretofore, Virginia has wanted no
prompter' when state rights have been en-
oAngered or actually invaded She has uni
| t"r'niy appeared In the van of hostility to
federal encroachments. With zeal, per
severance and ability, that have conferred
on her immortal glory, she has resisted eve.
ry iniraction ofs,hat sacred charter, which.
next 20 the wisdom and virtue of the hcohks
| Is thebest security 10 our liberties. From
the adoption of the federal constitution. IN
I'll this time, she has kept a jealous eye upon.
lhe federal administration, has noted all its
errors, exposed all its weakness, and watch
ed with unceasng vigilance its slightest
iaberratons.
cannot presume that this spirit is lostx1
IL may have slumbered, because for years
past there has fortunately been little to rx-
Gle 1t but, God forbid it should be lost.
Wnsh that time arrives, unless i'm the other
parts OF the union it lives and exerts a re-
newed strength and activity, neither the
system of checks and balances which we
nave established IN our government, nor the,
limits prescribed to its powers. nor the vir-s
tues OF popular administration, Will avail
US any thing. Almost insensibly perhaps,
out certainly, the general government will
usurP all authority. Ii will sap the founda-
tons OF the state sovereisuties and every
day and every hour will bring US nearer to-
Consolidation and tyranny.
without adopting conclusion so dis
gracefnl o the character of the old donljni-
on, can account for the ahAareat apathy
on iSihia on the SUBJECT have men toned.
IN t"o ways-tirst. because perfect reii-
ahce is paced on he nteg.ity. consistency,
and hr"ness OF Mr.. Madison, in rejecting
any Dill tor Incorporating 4 Bank, even If.
Congress should pas, it-and secondly ne
cause he hollficat bearings of !hv measure,
ana al the -onssq lences flowing RON it.
- AZ
Jo,tty, even OF the legislature itself
u Is rue that we have every reason r. 70
pose w!th confidence OH he consistency. in
tcgrty and tif.npess Of VI Madison The
character u he man and the whole tenor
o. MS political life, afford a pledge TO-, ;,is
conduct and it that pledge were wanting.
we should III the present instance have O.
thers al"oSt equally strong. There is some
tning IN the pride of OPINION. and NOR. ,r~
II
possible to believe that one who in 1871 on
posed with such force of argument ,he IN
corporation OF Bank Oh consf;fufioua1
GrouncS. can IN 1911, swerve from his prIn-
ciPies, and sanction violation of the in
strument he is Sworn to support This one
act would suliy the brightness of hi, well.
spent life, and cast shade OH his most it,
iuStrlons actions. OF these, none have add
ed more TO his reputation than when ne
has been found the firm and able advocate.
OF state rights. To desert them, and with
a change of situation, to evince a chappe Of
principles would rob him Of tha portion of
i's lame, which his friends love most to con-
template, and which certainly raised him
to the presidential chair. Besides this. ne.
has before him his own most inimitable-
speech on this very subject IN 1871, to re.
II eSh ms memo y and rengthen his i'm.
presslons. Inc public too have il. and
would never be reconcied to his app owing
a measure he has himself demonstrated to.
be unconstitutional ; unless as a gentleman,
some time since observed, he will do. w1ar
no other man III tie union can do" answet.
his own speech"
his impression concerning the president.
is general one, and may IN part. accouut
tor the ackwardness of the states in Coming
forward to instruct their representatives o,,
this important subject. Some persons in.
deed % justify their own apostacy. have
pretended to believe that the president
would pursue a different Course and Weld In
the wishes of Congress, If Congress should
pass The law. They defend HIM or rather
fhemSefOeS by anticipation Oh ihese princi-
pies. - Congress in 1871 Incorporated a
Bank. The president approved 1.-THE.
law went into operation and the Judges
sanctioned it. Here then were the three Co
ordinate branches of the government, en-
pressing their opinion on the constitutional
ty OF the law Congress have since passed
two laws, the one To establish a branch
Bank and the other furnishing counterfeit ers.
recognizing the same principle, and under
the influence OF the same impressions
which have in like manner been STAMPED bv
the executive and judiciary appreciation
Here then is an expression of opinion on the
part OF the three branches of the government,
At d!Herenf AID remote periods, The r,le,
OF Interpretation has therefore been deter
mined; and 1t is now too late to stir cues
ton, which has been so long settled by the