Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-04-13

on the one hand, it was my fixed and conscien
uous peicf, that Congress had not the cons,tu
o"a, power to charter n Bank. On tho other,
''u 'he most ardent desire to sustain the honor
ana arms OF my country; and TO that end that the
government should be furnished with the necessary
means understood that the then Secretary of the
treasury was of opinion, that under ezisting cir.
o""Stdncss, the establishment of u national ba nix
" one OF me most efficient means of raising our
Greait' and supplying funds to carry on the war
III inns painful dilemma, what should do, was the
question to be decidldl My mind was rot sa,isf.
u ."at .hc extremity OF the case great enough
W Jus''iy me, upon the principle, saius popuii su-
Pfema Ter, to vote for the Bank. in direct violation
as conceived, Of the Constitution. The altcrna.
'"c' 'hen, was either to vote against it, or not to
vote at all. Upon this alternative I de!ibcratcd
oi uays ana nights with painful anxiety. Having
oppressed TO some of my political friends, my in.
'ihcibe constitutional difficulties an appeal was
made TO me, whose language, indeed 1 cannot
now remember, but whose import is deeply impress
SEQ upon my memory
81 was conjurcd, if l could not aid them, in car
,y'hg on the war, not to impede them. Questions
-, inns, In substance, were propounded to me.
iao such an overwconing self-confidcnce as to
.lhnk miscif infable7 Could not give credit
10 my political friends for virtue and ;ntall;1cnco
enough to doubt the propriety of NV own opi
nloni Ii they could reconcile it to themselves to
vote Tor IT, would L persevere, in VOTING against
measure, which it believed would furnish
the means to defend the country, and thus stake
OF one single opinion of mine?
Under all the circumstances of the case, dc
ced not to vote at all; and if ever in nv life the
motive to my action was disintcrested patriotism
1t was upon this occasion, emphatically that it
operated was not unaware, that such a course
might subject me to criticism; but uncarinp conse-
q"cnccs, as they regarded myself, L resolved 20
devote myself for the public good. If any one
Tor moment, can suppose, that there shrink
ing from responsibility, to him, let me say, that
of
bushel; they were openly avowed, and publicly
known III Washington. They were also openly
avowed and publicly known in my district
They were there triumphantly indicated, by
reelection in spite of this objection, by an over
wheming majority. Many of the facts which
nave stated, have now become matter of history.
AS to those which not so, though seventeen
years have now elapsed, L would venture to ap-
peal to the recollection of the few gentlemen, now
III the councils ofthe nation, who were then men,
bers, and who belonged to the same political school
with myself"
we have no question that Mr.. Barbour's motives
Tor the omission TO vote, good. Nevertheless,
he can never justify the failure. What was rct.
ring but voting for the Bank, in fact? What was
1t but doing indirectly what he declined to do, di
rectly! What right had he to set up a tenderness
OF conscience, superior to that of the whole Con-
gress! What right had he to sifle the voice of his
$4,000 constituents? We make these observations
IN no malignant spirit but to aid in discountenan
eng practice the most dangerous and indefensi-
bic in public men.