Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-05-23
CONGRESS-.
IN SENATE.
BANK OF TIE UNITED STATES.

RANE OF TIE UNITED STAIRS.
Mr.. GILES.-Mr.. President--It
is with great reluctance, that 1 find
myself compelled to enter into the
discussion Of the subject now under
the consideration of the Senate but
the observations which fell from the
honorable gentleman from Georgia
(Mr Crawford) were of such a char
acter, as to impose on me an irresis-
tible obligation to present that view
of the subject, which has resulted
from the best reflections l have been
enabled 20 bestow on it. This obi
cation arises from the very high res.
pect entertain for the Legislature of
the state l have the honor to repre-.
semitic great respect feel for the
gentleman, who made the observations I;
as well as from the respect which is
maniiestly due TO myself. In execu.
ting this unpleasant task, I labor I'M
der circumstances of peculiar embar-
rassment. This embarrassment ariaes
from conviction, that the views of
the subject now proposed to be exhib-
tied will disappoint the expectations
both Of the opposers and the favorers
OF the bill and that they will not be
acceptable to either. shall not, how.
ever, In this instance depart from my
invarlable habit, when urged by duty
to participate in debate before this
honorable body, OF disclosing in the
most undisguised manner my real o
Pinions upon the whole subject, from
any consideration of political difficult
ties or Inconvenience which may con.
sequ@ntially affect myself.
In the first place, find myself cal
led upon TO oppose law on constitu-
tional grounds, which has been in ex /.
istence for yearly twenty wears; and
during that period, am compelled to
adnit, has bcsn acquiesceoi in by the.
several state governments as well as
by the general government, aud its re-
publican administrations. It is pecu-
liarly irksome TO ne to question the.
constitutionality Of law which has
been thus and so long acquiesced in !;
because ittends to give the character
OF instability TO the laws generally /;
and in my Judgment tends also in some
degree TO impair the sacred character
,ot The laws and of course TO lessen
their efficacy. In a government like
ours, where the laudable boast of
every citizen is, that he lives under
government of laws, and not of
men; no subject should be touch
ed with more caution and delicacy
'han one which questions the va
iidity of the laws, lessons the confidence
OF the citizens IN them, or impairs the
obligation OF obedience TO them. Yet.
SIR, the course OF observations I pro-
pose to make may have some of these
tendencies, which I should extre mely
regret, and this apprehension Of course
produces embarrassment. Connected
Wi h this idea is another circumstance
OF embarrassment. [ cannot help OBJ.
serving the inordinate zeal manifested
by the opposers OF this bill, evidently
resulting from belief that it's reiec-
ton Will lessen the powers Of the led.
eral governments. Although it may
be properly directed in the present in
stance yet, tank have seen, and
fear, | may hereafter see, the same
spirit directed against some Of the pow.
ers, and proceedings Of the govern
ment, which have deemed indispen.
sable 10 It's own preservation, and its
beneficial efficacy toward the people.
IL may perhaps be thought hy some
not becoming in me TO say, that | have
not been an inatieptive observer of
the progress of this government for
twenty years and more particularly,
since the republican par;y came into
power. Some of the scenes, through
which have passed, have produced
an impressive influence on rny mind.
Such Is the nature Of the government,
that its administration will vibrate
irom one principle 10 another, and i,
val always require great wisdom 10
keep is oscillations from WANDERING
too far. Whilst those, who preceded
us IN power endeavored to legis,ate in
10 the constitution an unnecessary con.
struciive energy, leading so what has
been called consolidation it appears
20 me, that we have taken too much
the opposite courss, leading 10 disu-