Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-21
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

RISa w . N ID, FEB, 81.
FOR TIL: ENrQUIRER
BANES.-No. !.
though much fear, that 10 address to the
people, upon the subject OF Banks, will have its
proper influence, yet, conceiviug the tendency o,
these institutions 90 be not only injurious, bu
rn'nouS, deem il a duty which owe to the
public, 10 present the views which have long
entertained, in relation TO the great principles
winch the system ut banking involves. True we
nave already established these deadly institution.
and they exist in our very bosoms; and il is all
rue, That this fact will induce the advocates oil
Banks, to seize upon and urge it, as a reason why
we should not now relax in a system which we
have begun; but there is nothing i'm these rea-
SONS when property considered. IL seeds OF
poison be scattered over the land and society j.
every gay Striking and disappearing under their
destructive influence, wisdom would seem TO die
tate, that these seeds and the sprouts which spring
from them, should be extrpated with all con
Venicnt dispatch The first enquiry, then, which
ought 10 be made, is this-has society felt any
poisonous influence arising from Bank operations
III mankind were untfanitneNed. and left free to
Sp' ak, hut orN a''sw,r ceud gwen. q qur,-
ton; hu'. unfortunately, Banks have jdHgs, and
these iangS have so deeply pierced the very vitals
Oh society, that but few men are left sufficiently
unirttered, to exercise perfect independence in
heir practical judgme Mt; for, judgment indepen-
IDENTITY iortned and pronounced, is very different
U'nS rom an opinion, expressed under the tram
ine!S oil Bank. Whatever OF error might prevail
amongst the people, before any Banks were crra-
ted, may, at this day, be excused, because tn.
rash experiment had not been made, and the pre-
dlciions OF men, who opposed TO them, were
Dut opinions, the truth of which, remained TO be
tested by at er-,mcs. These times have come
and every man is now able to say, by actual ex-
pertinent and Obscrv alton, whether these insi',l-
TONS have been beneficial 10 the country or not,
and though Heaven fall" he ought to speak
honestly, and act independently. More especial
w should those who are the representatives OF
the people, act with independence, because to
them, the country will he indebted for whatever
oil good may grow out Of their public acts, ami to
them will he duH ell credit which may arise from
E od and ~ laws. To them also, will be due,
all the Wis and disasters which the country NAV
sustain by means OF their yielding 10 the influence
OF Banks, and 10 the seductive language Of those
VINO may manage them; thus failing TO speak
'ne independent Ian .uage of an honest conviction
oil mind, by which failure they may plunge the
country INTO everlasting ruin. These are serious
anu solemn considerations, and the representative
should weigh them well, before he decides; but
when he does decide, he should act firmly upon
such decision, regardless of the frowns or the Ia
vors o' all. Public opinion, however, seems to he
gradually gaining independence, and il is sincere
~ TO he hoped, that the time is not far distant
when, in Virginia, at least, Banks will cease to
exist and thus leave the Judgment of men, free
and unfetered. Should thi- be the case the peo-
pie VIII have less Cause TO regret their having had
their knowledge. yet, they have been taught les
sons OF wisdom, which they will long remember,
anu which promises TO be OF la ting advantage
That the people every where, are in deep mise
ry and distress, in their pecuniary AFFAIRS is what
all VIII admit; bot the cause of this misery and
distress, seems still TO be of doubtful character
even amongst the most distinguished Politicians
shalt endeayOr to show that the cause NAV be
found in the establishment of Banks, and ,ha, the
injury arising from their operations is much more
Hold ii.
in the non slave holding States.
1t may be said, that have chosen time
neither apt nor appropriate for the discussion of
this subject-perhaps so; but when we recolleci
That the Farmers Bank, most rxpectcdly, APP
Piled for renewal of its charter, three years b.
tore the expiration of its first we may fairly con
clude, that the Bank of Virginia will do the same
thing; and therefore, discussion ought TO begin
early, and continue freely, in order that the peo
pie may have an opportuni y for rehrc,ion, before
the next spring elections come OF; Tor verify he
heye. that complete remedy, against the evils of
Banking, Is To be found atone at the polls In
vain m'y we theorize and reason upon the prac
deal evils we endure, if those, in whose hands IT.
lone Tie power of redress lies, shall be so bound
and spdncelled as that The mind is enslaved, the
feelings enlisted, and the Judgment surrendered
l lie people must take this subject in their own
hands, and at the polls proclaim that they will
support the election IT no man, who is in any
way, trammelled by, or interested in Banks III
an accommodation note, the collection of which,
by the Bank, would ruin hiU-cOui such repre-
sentative act independently, upon question to re
new the charter of such Bank! He who thinks
so, knows but little of human nature. Indepen
IDENTIFY Of any terror which ia the case sumo. ed
the representative wouldteei from the Bank i.
own interes: would bind him down 10 the Bank
side Of the queston-foI, he would Immediately
say 10 himself, if the Bank stops, my accommodA-
ton must stop, and | shall be ruined. II
be large stockholier, could he be
an independent voter, upon question 70 renew
the charter of the Bank, in which he held siock'
None can believe that he would. 1t il believed
that many Of The most influential men N The
Legislature are, in some form or other, bound in
q measure, to some Bank in The Commonwealth
aud hence, there is moral certainty, that the
Banks, whatever may be their condition, have
nothing to fear, so long az such state OF things
continues. The first step, therefore, towards re-
lief, against the evils Of Banks mus, be taken by
the people hemselyes-olherwisc these ns itu-
tons must continue to prey upon the solid inter-
ests OF the country, until nothing Of interest is
Iel;, worth contending for.
GEORGE CLINTON.
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Virginia IEEVSI ATTIRE