Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-10-12
JOS. RI. BRYAN,
JOSIAH II. CRANBERRY,
MEM UCAN HUNT.
Hon. p. P. BARBOUR.
FREscArI, Sept. 9th, Ie32.

FREsCATI, Sept. 9Th, 1882.
GKsTLEnEn:--I have received your letter of the
25th uit enclosing certain resolutions adopted at
Loiiiical meeting held that day, at Shoccs
Springs, Warren county, N orth Carolina.
In conformity to one of these resolutions, you
ask me to state my sentiments in relation to
the PROTECTIVE System, Internal Improvement, the
Bank Of the United States, and Modification,
Whilst should be altogether unwilling to OBJ
trude my opinions in regard to political questions
upon the public, am equally 10th to withhold
them, when thus publicly and explicitly called
upon to express them. then without hesitating
proceed TO answer the enquiries. / understand
the committee to ask what my opinions are; not by
what process of reasoning have been led to adopt
them.
First then rs to the Protective System, by which
I mean the laying of mposs, not 10 raise revenue,
for the sake of revenue, but to support domestic
manufactures against foreign competition. l am
decidedly and utterly opposed to the whole system,
upon the various grounds of its being in violation
of the spirit Of The Constitution and being unjust,
unequal, and oppressive in its operation. L en-.
close two speeches delivered by me on this subject.
in the House of Representatives; the first in 1920,
and the other in 1924, in which you will SEQ my
views at length, on all these grounds.
Next IN order is the subject of Internal Improve.
ment. consider that whole system, when
attempted to be executed by Congress, whether in
the form OF construction appropriation by t00y
Of subscription, 10 toh0t rs In be constructed by
otDers, as unconstitutional, as highly inexpodIeD,
and calculated to undermine the independence
of the States aud the virtue of the people, in a
struggle for tho sPoils of The Treasury. My views
at large upon this svbjeet will be exhibited in two
speeches now enclosed, delivered By mo in the
House of Representatives., the one 1918 and the
other in 1880.
The bank Of tho United States is the next sub
ect. Besides the objections this upon the score
Of exPcdeDcy, particularly the mighty power arts.
ing from the concentration in an organized form
Of countless millions of dollars consider this as
being altogether beyond the constitutional comPe-
tency of Congress.
The latitude of construction, which would
bring this within tho pale of the Constitution,
would in my estimation, utterly destroy all those
restrictions and reservations which make the Fed
eral Government limited one. And feel that
do not state the case too strongly, when j say
mat 1t resolves itself into question between sup
posed convenience TO tho public in the admnstra-
ton OF tho finances, and the character Of the cir
culating medium, and the creation Of power by
| tho government, which may sooner or later become
stronger than tho government itsolf-The jour
nails of Congress will shew, that when the present
| Bank was chartered in 1916, I voted against it.
The last subject embraced in the resolution j;
| chat Of Mobilization.
| understaqd this term as meant to import the