Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-28
4 dollars per annum.l

pu1';'c cfcui, ana without being like in various
| other points OF view To be productive of very
serious and numerous caiamitics to the commu-
niiy.-s'rom all those various considerations.
MIR. jefferson, when le came into the admins.
traioa, as also the ma j0rity Of Congress- darin.s
that period. considered the question respecting
the bank OF the United States as settled and al
Iudicated, which was aow to ,e ccauiesced
IN, and pursued system, ofpolicy in conformity
VIII, ,iis sentiment: W any other principle the
not only not be Unstable, bat would be criminal
IN the highest sense. efthey had considered this
party question, a measure whisli the federal
party, during its ascendancy, had established,
contrary to the manifest and unuuestionabIs
principles of the constitutions, Gas some gentle
men now contend) every step that was taken to
sanction this unconst ialii0nal measure, was in
iiietmis new wound IN the constitution, and Il
violation Of the sacrd& kats.s they had taken To
support il.
10 say that it was done for the support ofpub-
lie faith. because tlie law Incorporating the bank
had made q contract with individuals, is irrati-
onat ana tallaciOus, because no Unconstitutional
law can pledge the faith of government. An UNI
constitutional law Incorporating Il body of men
can give them no legal existence which can be
binding on a subsequent Legislature. 1t is, as was
we'll observed by nS.collcaguc, TO enter into Il
contract with an ide9t or married woman. The
contract is ipso .facR lpid. Ifan unconstitti-
onai Law cannot pleds sefe faith OF government,
or a subsequent legislature nay more, lift is
incumbent on subsequent Legislature to repeal
such unconstitutional law-thcn the law esta-
blishin5 the hank OF the u. States, ifitis OF this
description (that is. evidently unc0nstiutionan
imposed nc otter obligation on Mr. Jefferson and
his republican majority, than Immediately TO re-
peal It, and TO restope 70 It's original purity, that
| constitution they l;alsworn TO support but when
the very opposite conEnet is pursued, we must
stitutionality ofthc LApk in its origin was one OF
those questionable principles which might create
doubt between individuals Of all parties, and on
which men of the best understanding might pause
aud hesitate but being once determined OIL, was
| TO be considered as adjucated case, which the
| reposc oil society made it proper should never
again be drawn info discussion. This, SIR. r
think, is a .justiiiablc inference. Are we not
then warranted in saving, that the assertion that
| this is party q24tfea, with all the bearings it
| is intended TO %is destitute Of all foundati-
e e1a, That hat the he, e0psern the bank ofthe U.
demonstrated byAhe journals Of Congress-
Whenever this meaSllEasSas agitated durin,. the
| administration OF Mr.. Jefferson, it was not taken
up as a party question, because all parties gave
1T their concurrent support. 1t remains TO be en-
CURED whether on the present occasion the bill
under your consideration is to be viewed as par
" question:. In Oruer 10 ascertain the character
OF question, that is, whether it is a party one
or not, il is first necessary to ascertain who arc
the different individuals that constitute the dif-
ierent parties, and how observation-disclosures stand in
relation to the question % be decided lie all
or almost, all ofeach political sect arc arranged,
| one for the other against the measure then it
may be deemed party question bnt ifa very
large portion OF one Ofyour political parties, car
rying with it some OF your most distinguished
members, is found opposed to another portion OF
It's own party, YOU can 40 longer call this party
question. Each portion OF this divided party
may claim its exclusive Identification with the
| party itself, and upbraid the other with the cpl
| thet ofapOstate ; but their pretensiOns will not
be admitted unIess Supported by higher au-
thority than that which is derived from the AFRO
| gancc Ofone section Of this divided party. When
! view the journals Of the House Of Representa-
| lives, aud east my eyes over the Yeas and NAYS
on this question as decided there some days past,
and fluid some Of theA most Jealous and distin-
| gnshed rcpdDncafs in the affirmative when
reflect on the number and great weight Of cha
racter OF the republican members of this honor
able body who concur with me in opinion that it.
IS proper tiie re-incOrP0TatiOn Of The bank should
pre- all, consider it as the height OF arrogance.
! and tlIo most bascicss Ofal unlOunded pretensi-
Ons. In those OF the republican party who are OPP
posed to this measure, TO call thsa paTty question.
10 identify themselves excessively with thc rcpubli-
canparty and tOinsinaate that such republicans as
vote for this bill have abandoned tiu5ir political
| principles, By what authority can those rcpub-
liran gentlemen, who oppose tiiis bill, apprOpri-
ate exclusively 90 Themselves tie character OF re-
publicanS there not, among those of the re-
publicans who are ia favor Of this measurc. mcn