Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-02-15

~uSt NC eASusSu tVI repeating the III
curry, Has Congress power 10 incorpo
raie Bank! This Is Il question, which
has agita,ed the United States for thirf,
years. In opposition 10 each other upor
this question will he found arrayed me,
the most distinguished for their talents
their integrity, aud their patriotism. Ii
lis discussion all the powers OF argumen
have been exhausted, and il is difficult 1,
conceive, hat at the present day il coui,
be presented 10 the public mind in AN,
new aspect. The General Assembl,
therefore, deem il unnecessary 10 reiierate
the reasons, which led their predecessors
to the conclusion, Ina; this power does
States, and will content themselves with
Tie declaration, thai This conclusion Is
still believed to be- correct But whether
ihis power can be constitutiOnally eX-
erclsed by Congress or not, the General
Assembly cannoi but consider the present
situation OF the United States as afford
ing ample proof, that the exercise OF
such power either by the general or the
Stale governments, must be productive
OF incaiculable evils Whatever might
have been thought in former times. i,
caonot now b. denied, that The banks
=,
whether chartered by the federal or stale
governments, have contributed much to
allure The people of this country from
agricultural pursuits, 10 convert them
INTO money-dealers and spec ulalors, and 10
encourage and increase the p.ati lice OF
ustry. Ia bcholiing The pecuniasy distress
now iell Throughout America, who is so
b'lRd as not 10 see the effect produced by
the disposition 10 trade upon fictitious ca
PIT ], by the temptation TO over trading
Which these institutions are so well cal
cuialed To create, and 10 cherish Who
does not know, thai the purity of he mo h.
rails OF the present generation has been
affected by them ? Can il be doubted,
That they will possess apowerful and CON
trolling influence over The very govern
ments, 10 which they owe their existence :
Aud ii so, who can believe, that such an
influence would promote the public well
fare Considering them then as having
direct tendency TO corrupt the public
morals, and power TO react upon the
governments creating them, The General
Assembly must be permitted 10 express
the hope, that the time has now arrived
when the United States, acting upon
facts no logger left TO conjecture but vi
sible 10 every eye, will agree, in LAYING the
axe 10 the root of the evil, by so amend
lug theiederai constitution as TO prohibit
IN general and state governments in all
future time from establishing corporations
with banking powers. Without touching
or wishing to touch, banking corporations
now existing, such All amendment will
he calculated TO guard our posteritv
gainSt their baneiul effects, to sooihe lie
irritation produced by them at this mo-
ment, III many parts Of the Union, and
TO put 10 rest forever, The long contested
question OF constitutional power. The
General Assembly Of Virginia, anxious
10 ensure domestic tranquility and de-
sIrous of placing the Union of these states
upon the most secure basis, cannot doubt,
that these objects will be promoted by
making the amendments TO the federal
constitution herein before proposed.
ReSotved therefore, That The Senator's
from this state in the Congress of The u.
States be Instructed, aud the Representa-
tIveS requested, 10 use their best efforts
In procuring an amendment 10 The con-
sii,ution OF The United States providing d
tribunal for the decision of all ques-
tons, whichregard the conflicting powers
o! the government of the Union and of It's
members, TO be organized in the follow
ing manner: Each state shall send to
this tribunal the highest member of its
own Judiciary, who may be able TO al
tend, and if the highest judicial body Of
any state should be composed of more
members than one possessing an equal,
lily OF rank IN their court, the members of
such Judicial body by the vote of d ma
JorIty of them shall choose from amongst
themselves the person, who shall attend
the sad tribunal on the part of such stale
majority OF ille whole number shall
be necessary TO constitute quorum. aud
the concurrence of Two thirds of The mem.
bers present shall be required for The de
cislon of all questions referred 10 this
tribunal. Ii shall have power TO decide
all cases, la which conflict between The
powers of the general and state govern
men,s may arise, and such conflict shall
be considered as existing and requiring
the decision of this tribunal as soon as
the legislative body OF any state in the
union shall declare by resolution, that
such conflict does exist. The legislative
body adopting such resolution shall by
the sdpe resolution fix the time for the
assemblage of the members of this tribu.
nal, which asscmblage shall be at the
seat OF tie government OF the u. States.
and shall be not less han six months nor
more than twelve months alter the ad0p
ton Of such resolution Each member of
this tribunal shall receive from the state
sending bIm a compensation, which shall
be, immediately after the incorporation
OF this amendment inioihe federal con-
siituiiOD, fixed by Iaw Of such state,
aud shall not afterwards be diminished.
II quorum should not be formed on Tie
day fixed for the assembIage of the mem.
bers of this tribunal, The members in al
tendance shall have power 10 adjourn
from day 60 day for The space of ID DAYS,
aud II within That time, quorum shall
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