The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-05-24
GongreBa.
IN SEMA7 E.
BANK OF THE UNITED STATES
May2i.

Mr. GILES. Hr. President--It is with
great reluctance, that ind myself COM
PEELED to enter in discussion ot the sub
Ject now under he consideration oi the Sc
nate but the observations, winch fell from
the honorable gentleman from Georgia (Nlr.
Crawiord) were of such character, as 10
impose on me an IRE slstible OblIg alton to
present that view of the subject, winch has
res0lted from the best reflections / have
been enabled 10 bestow On it. This ohliaa-
ton arises from the very high respect |
entertain for the Legislature of the Sta,e l
have the honor torepresen;4-the great re
spect feel tor the gentleman, WAC made
the observations; as well as from the re-
Spect which is manifestly aue 10 myself
In executing this unpleasant Ia SIX, l iaDor
under circumstances of peculiar emoaI rassA
ment This embarrassment arises from
conviction, that the views of the subject
now proposed to be exhibited, will disap-
point the expectations both Of the opposers
and the favorers of the bill; aud that they
will not be acceptable to either shah not,
however. IN this Instance, depart from my
inVariabie habit, when urged by du,y 20
participate in debats before this houoraO,e
body. at dIsciosiug u ,he most undlsguised
manner my real opinions upon the whole
subject, from any consideration of poll
may consequently affect myself.
In the ii st place, l ind myself called
upon 10 oppose u law on Constitutions,
grounds, which has been in exI tence toI
nearly twenJ years; and during hat peri
cd. am Compelled o admit has been ac-
guessed IN by We several state govern
Wentsj as Wi as by the general govern
ment, and its republican administrauons--
IT. is peculiarly i'ksome to me e. question
the constitution lily OF a law which has been
thus aud 50 long acqmlesced IN; because 1t
tends to give tae Cha aCteT oi instability to
the laws generally; and in my Judgment,
tsnds also IN some degree t0 impair the sa-
cred character OF The laws; and, Of course
to lessen thei' efficacy In government
like ours, where the laudable b0ast OF eve
ny Citizen is, that ne lives under GOV ern-
men, OF laws, aud not OF men; no subject
shoHld be touched with more Caution x de
licaC} than one which questions the vaIidi-
ty Of the laws, lessons he confidence OF the
citizens i. them, or impairs the obligation
of obedience to then. Yet, sir, he course
of observations ] propose TO make may
have some OF these tendencies, which
should extremely regret. and his appte.
henSion Of course produces embarrassment
Connected with this idea. is another CIR.
cumstance of embarrassment. l Cannot
neip observing ne inOTdinate zeal mauileS
ted by the oppossrs OF this oil, eviueatly
resulting from belief that its rejection
will lessen the powers of the federal go
vernment Although it may be properly
directed IN the present instance; yet, 1 th.nk
1 have seen, and lear, / may hereafter see,
the same spirit directed against some of the
powers, and proceedings oftne government.
which / have deemed indispensable TO IT'S
own prese rvatlon, and its beneficial Ell
cacy toward the people. It may, perhaps,
be though by some not becoming N me 20
say, that have not been an inattentive OBJ
server of the progress Of this government,
for 90 years. and more particularly since
the republican party came into power -
Some Ut the scenes, thr ugh which have
passed, have produced an impressive inhu~
ence on my mind such is the nature OF
the government, that is administration will
vibrate from one principle to another, & il
wdl always require gCeat wisdom 70 keep
rs oscillations from Wandt ring too far ----
Whist those, whoprtceded us n power en-
,dsAvOred oiegisIate NO the constitution anI
unnecessary cOastructtVe energy, lo aiding
70 Wbg5 has eEsp eaiieg espsosdSNop5 is