Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-26

men cannot Js tied with parchment. whether 4 GU
call il a constitution. or by any other name. NJ
lowing, however, that the constitutional power to
establish banks does plainly exist, is there any
man, who has lived for the last twenty years,
who will now advocate the espediency OF Great
ing such institutions. presume that none euch
are TO be foundat least, in the agricultural por-
tons OF our country. IL is true, that many advo-
Gates for Banks are 90 be found; but these advo.
Gates in general. contend for their continuance,
simply because they have ertstea, and by their
existence, the country has been thrown into such
condition, that we cannot nO,r dispense with
them. This argument is light and flimsy, and
ought not longer to dcIude and deceive the peo-
/ pie. l have always thought, that wien an
acknowledged evil was found TO exist in the bosom
OF society, that society would act wisely in cast
ing off the evil as soon as possible; and II this be
true. IN ordinary cases, how much stronger and
more foSctble is the argument. when sygJiied to
the case Of a Legislative act. where Gie whole
body polite is under the political care Of the
Legislature. Let an end be put TO these insttu-
tons, and the golden Days OF old. wilt soon retun
upon us. In such case, the people have but
little to fear, and the government less. But this
part Of the subject will be examined more part-
cuiarIy in a future number.
I have ventured to assert, that If the present
distressed condition Of the country be critically
amned. il will be found, that most of the evils
endure, may be traced TO Banks; and have also
said, that according 10 my judgment. these evils
h
tons Of the Union, than in the commercial and
manufacturing portions Let US examine these
opinions.
The single ClSt, that, until we had Banka. the
people were independent and the country prosper
ous Is, OF Itself, too strong for all opposing argyll
ment. 1t is an adamanune rock, against which,
the power Of argument aud the deIusion Of sophis-
try may long beat-but il will beat in vain. For
what purpose is argument intended!-To elici,
truth. And why is argument resorted to, for the
purpose OF arriving at truth. Because the pfopo-
ei'ion TO be argued. exhibits no fact upon which
truth can rest, so that il speak for ITSELF aud
thus render argument unnecessary. II we had
always facts before us, argument would be who'll
ly useless. because these facts would be far bet
ter demonstrations Of truth, than could Row from
any argument; and, since the people have before
them the fact. that tlle country is in ruined
iition. and diat this ruin has upon the coun-
try since the establishment of Banks. il is truth,
inpiucibie TO ell argument that Banks have pio.
duced that ruin. But I will not content myself
with reliance upon this single fact. however I'M
portant and iuvihci6Ie 1t may be. will go more
INTO detail, not Tor the purpose OF satisfying my
own Judgment, but the judgment Of those who
may think il worth while TO read these humble
essays. An ask is, a Willingness 10 be convinc-
ed, and when convinced, independence enough to
act upon that cors$ic,ion.
GEORGE CLINTON.