Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-02-01

net for himself alone, out fOr all IN
terested in the funds OF such institu
ton. An individual acting in this
representative capacity, considers
| himself bound to promote the pecu-
mary profit Of those whom he repre-.
ssnts, without regard, to his own par
ticular notions, as to the means b,
which such profit is to be made, pro
vided they are consistent with the
general spirit and tenor Of Bank po-
LEY. For example ia such times
as this, when business becomes stag
nant, a considerable part Of the
ban':ing capital may lie wit''sut cir
eulation, in the vaults OF the baRk, &
its dividends become less than they
would be, il that capital was en-
slowed. The business of tho town
might not be sufficient TO draw il
out. but the government, who are in
want Of money, are willin. to take
it, in aid of their ways and means for
CARRYING on the ,car. The Dires.
tors OF the bank. though decidedly
oroainion, that The purpose, TO which
they inoso this money is to be applied.
is such as ought not 10 be promot-
ed, loan this idle capital. or part
of their active capital, to these men.
because they will thereby enerease
the ANIMAL dividend upon the stock,
and turn the money Of their cousti
tuents to better account. Are
they not right in doing so!
1.-THE spirit Of auarice, is more no
norable ,.,an the spirit of patriotism.
and present partial advantage, pre-
Cradle to Ultimate, universal good
then. they must be right-but if on
the contrary, it be better to consult
the permanent good ofthe zohoiecom-
nuni;y, than the temporary advan
tage Of a very small part of it: and
more TO the interest ofcvea this very
small part. TO withhold from them
this temporary advantage, than to
allow it them then, they are not
right. 1t is not morally Lawful! for Z
.aan 81 DO that for another, which
i would not be morally lawful for
no, - 10 t,oa hi,nseif. His repre-
sentative eanarity does no. s!ivest him
ochis taaraI or political obligations.
nor ,lor. il hestowupon Him the right
of viola;ing tie principles whose an
thoiity he acknowledges while act
inm co.. himself. Ifno considerations
Of g"pfi. could reconcile man. who
is oHncsed to ,':r war upon prtneiptf;
to loan the government. out oi his
OWE funds. Tie means ocsurpostinsit,
ii does bet seem that such ccnsi-
tlerations, will justify bin in aid
ing it out Of the funds Of other
scopIe. committed to his direction.
The stockholders Of bank. or OF
any otl:er monied institution, cannot
properly claim from their managers
any departure from their principles,
in order to promote the peeuaiary
interest Of the company. They have
a right to the exercise Of their best
iud~mrnfs. but they cannot ask
Surrender of their consciences.. But
admitting for moment the cA-
istcnce OF such claim can it be
believed. that. By ioaning their mo
ncy to the government, for the sap
port of ruinOus war. the interest
ofthe holders ofbank stock, or any
other property in this country, Will
! be promoted !? Will the additional
| halfper cent upon few hundred or
a few THOUSAND dollars, WhIch may
| thus be divided amongst them, be any
compensation TO the merchants 1or
II,