The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-07-24

ton OF ITS charter. An investigation
unwillingly conceded, and 90 restricted
in time as necessarily to make it incom-
plete and unsatisfactory discloses enough
to excite suspicion and alarm.
In the practices Of the principal
Bank partially unveiled, in the absence
of important witnesses, and in numer-
Gus charges, confidently made, and as
yet wholly uninvestigated, there was
enough to induce majority of the COM
mitteo of investigation, q committee
which was selected from the most able
and honorable members of the House of
Representatives, 10 recommend sus-
pension of further action upon the bill
and prosecution Of the enquiry. As
the charter had yet four years to run,
and as renewal now was not necessa-
ry to the successful prosecution of its
business, it was to have been expected
that the Bank itself, conscious of its
purity and proud of its character, would
have withdrawn its application for the
present, and demanded the severest
scrutiny into all its transactions. In
their declining TO do so there seems to
be an additional reason why the func-
tionaries Of the government should pro-
ceed with less haste and more cautior
in the renewal Of their monopoly.
The Bank is sprofessedly established at
an agent of the Executive branches of
the Government and iss constitutional
ty is maintained on that ground. 'Nei-
ther upon the propriety of present ac-
ton nor upon the provisions of this act
was the Executive consulted. 1t has
had no opportunity to say that il either
needs nor wants an agent clothed with |
such powers and favored by such exemp-
tions. There is nothing in its legitimate
proper. Whatever interest or influence,
whether public or private, has given birth
to this act, it cannot be found either in
the wishes or necessities of the Exec l.
tive Department, by which present ac-
ton is deemed premature, and the pow
ers conferred upon its agent not only
unnecessary, but dangerous to the gov
ernment and country. $3.50.
1t is to be regretted that the rich and
powerful too often bend the acts of gov
ernnIent to their selfish purposesl Dis
tinctions in society will always exist un-
der every just government. Equality Of
talents. of education, or Of wealth, can
not be produced by human institutions.
In the full enjoyment of the gifts of
Heaven, and the fruits Of superior in
dustry, economy and virtue every man
| is equally entitIcdtoF protection by law.
But when claws undertake to add to |
| these naturaPan just advantages, arti-
fetal distinctionsatd grant titles, gratui-
ties and exclusive privileges, to make
the rich richer, and the potent more
powerful. ths husnbio fneuss.rs Of sosis-l
| ~, the farmers mechanics, and laborefs. !
who have netherthe time nor the means
Of securing like sfavors to themselves,
have a right to complain Of the injustice
of their government.
There are no necessary evils in gov |
ernment. Its evils exist only in its a
buses. fit would confine itself to equal
protection, and, as Heaven does its rains,
shower its favors alike on the high and
on the low, the rich and tho poor /; it |
would be an unqualified blessing. In |
the act before me, there seems to be a
wide and unnecessary departure from
these just .principles.-Nor is our gov
ernment to be maintained, or our Union
preserved by invasions of the rights and
powers of the several States. In thus |
attempting to make our general govern |
ment strong, we make it weak. It's true
strength consists in leaving individuals |
and States, as much as possible, to them |
selves-in making itself felt, not in its
power but in its benefcence, not i'm its |
control but in its protection, not in bind |
ing :he States more closely to the centre,
but leaving each to move unobstructed
in its proper orbit. - iaf
Experience should teach us wisdom.
Most Of the difficulties our Government |
now encounters, and most of the dangers |
which impend over our Union have
sprung from an abandonment Of the |
legitimate objects Of Government, by our
national Legislation, and-the adoption Of
such principles as are embodied in this |
act. Many of our rich men have not
been content with equal protection and
equal benefits but have besought us to |
make them richer by act of Congress.
BY attempting to CRAFTY their desires,
we have in the results ofxSr legislanon,
arrayed section against section, interest
against interest, and man against man.
in a fearful commotion which threatens
to shake the foundations of our Union.
1t is time to pause in our career, TO re- |
view our principles, and if possible re-
vive that devoted patriotism and spirit of
compromise, which distinguish the sages |
Of the revolution, and the fathers of our |
Union. If we cannot at once, in justice |