The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-11-05

with individuals, is irrational and faliacious,
because no unconstitutional law car. pledge
the faith ofgovernInent. An uncons,itution-
al law incorporating body Of men can give
them NJ legal existence which can be bind
ing on a subsequent legislature. 1t is, as
was we'll observed by my colleague, to enter
into contract with an ideot or married wo-
man. The contract is itSo fGeto vcid. IF
an unconstitutional law cannot pledge the
faith OF government. or a subsequent lcyis-
lature nay morr, lift is incumbent on IL suisse
quent lcgis ature to repeal such unconstituti-
onal law-then the law establishing the bank
OF the u 5. if it is Of this description Chat is,
evidently unccnstitutioDaD imposed no other
obligation On Mr.. Jefferson and hissrepuhli-
can majority thar Immediately to repeal it,
and to restore to its original purity, that cen
stitution they had sworn to support but
when the very opposite conduct is pursued
we must presume it was done from an idea
that the constitutionality OF the bank in its
origin was enc of those questionable princi-
Piles which might create dcnbt between in
dividuals Ct ali parties, and en- which men of
the best understanding might pause and he
state /; but being once determined en-, was
to be considered as an adiudicated case,
which the repose of society made it proper
should never again be drawn into discussion
his, SIR, think, is a iustihabie inference
Are we not then warranted in saying, that
the assertion that this is party question.
with all the bearings it is intended to have,
S destitute of all foundation That the law
concerning the bank of the United States
was not in its origin party question, is de-
monstrated by the Journals Of Congress
whenever this measure was agitated during
the administration Of Mr.. Jefferson, it VS.
not taken up as a party question, because
all parties gave it their Concurrent support
1t remains to be enquired whether on the
present occasion the bill under YOUR consi-
der ton is to be viewed asa party question.
In order to ascertain the character Of a
question, that is, whethey it is party one OF
not, 1t is first necessary to ascertain who arc
the different individuals that constitute the
different parties. and how these individuals
stand in relation to the question to be deci-
ded on. 1t all or almost, II of each political
sect are arranged, one for the other against
the measure, then it may be deemed party
question but If very large portion of enc
of vcur political parties, carving with it
some of YOUR most distinguished members.
is sound opposed to another portion Of its
own party, you can no longer call this a
party question. Each portion If this divided
party NAV claim its exclusive Identification
with the party itself, and upbraid the other
with the epithet of apostate /; but their pre-
tensions will not be admitted unless suDDor-
ted by higher authority than that which is
derived from the arrogance of one section of
this divided PARTY. When view the Jour-
nails Of the House Of 2 representatives. and
cast my eyes over the Yeas and Navs ON this
question as decided there some davs past. *
ind some OF the most Jealous and distin-
guished republicans in the affirmative -
when reflect on the number & great weight
OF character of the republican members of
TINS honorable body who concur WIKI me in
opinion that it is proper the re-incoiporation
OF the bank should prevail, consider ii as
the height Of arrogance, and the most base
less OF all untounded professions, in those eff
the republican party who are opposed to
this measure, to call this party question.
to identify themselves exclusively with the
republican party, and 10 insinuate that such
republicans as vote for this bill have aban-
doned their political principles. H. what
authority can those republican gentlemen
VINO oppose this bill, appropriate exclusive
TO themselves the character Of republicans
are there not, among those of the republ-
cans who are III favor Of this measure, men
ct as great weight of character as these VIII
are opposed TO them men, who can of!el as
distinguished and as proud and elevated pre-
tensions for the zeal, the diligence, the fde-
lIty and the fortltude they displayei in the
republican cause during che period Ct its adj
"ersty, as any this Country contains Wh,,
sir, IN the hour of difficulty, at that PERIOD
which tried mems souls, when repubHcanism
meant more than a name, and It's advocate.
were stignatsed as tacsious denago o i,cs
and upbraided with every odious ej,ithet-
who, sir, at this inauspicious moment occu-
pied more eminent and distinguished sta-
ticn in the republican ranks than the present
Secretary of the Treasury, who is the first
to recommend this measure? And is Albert
Gallatin, one Of these who pre-emihcntiy
contributed to form the Atlas, on whose
shoulders the fate of repubicanism rested,
AT the moment when 1T was surrounded with
such numerous and fcrocious assaiiants-;s
he not republican ? Nay, Mr.. President,
ere there none in this body # the veteran
politicians who contributed to form. that
Spartan band who so nobly defended the re-
publican cause when IL exposed it's advocates
to every species of obloquy and political per
secution--are there none Of that description
in this body that mean to vote for this bin,
IT will with justice not be denied. Mr.. Pre-
Sidcnt who are the characters who have
proclaimed this to be party question -
Docs my colleague, who was inferior in zeal
and efficiency to no orc IN the Councils of our
country, at the awful crisis have been spea-
king of-does he call this party question
Does Che honorable gentleman from Mary
land, who also bore his share III the hcnora-
bic conflict for republican principles--does
he call this party question: No, sir, they
zach knOSy tic 80 atd $50 90.