Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-04-10

menace different and distant points in quick
thus, constantly harrassing our militia, and some times
With irutess marches, to points which the enemy aban
loned before their arrival.
To these difficulties, is to be added another growing
,ut of the composition of Congress There was, in that
body asrong and talented minority, who resisted most OF
he measures, which the Government and the majority
thought would enable them to carry the with
yigor enter not into the discussion OF the merit, de-
that of this They acted upon the alleged ground
Violently car had been npruden,y declared and impro
Ii il suilciehou.
measure offered at generally opposed;
money by laying oft the withdrawing the army without
one man from each class il denodasses and drafting
zed by the ojious appeaton OF conscrpoad character
Two additional facts will close the narrative OF
cultics, under which labored Ell
The fartamed Hartford Convention was in session from
the 10th December, 1914, TO lth JAM 1915 Much fear
was eit from the proceedings of this assembly, both
the integrity OF the Unon and the efficiency with which
the war could be carried That these were not
goundless, will appear from the fact by the Hto
cal Register now before me, that this conclu-
dcd their report which shortly after published by re-
commenting to the legislatures of the New England States
to adopt ciectua measures for protecting their citizens
from the operation and effects of all which have been
or may be passed by Congress- subjecng militia or other
citizens to tocibc drafts conscpions not
authorized by the constitution, referring directly TO the
measure before stated OF CHASING the militia with view
to hill the army by recruit drafted from each class
In The midst OF these appalling difficulties, the enemy
were almost knocking at the gates of Romc or dropping
the auSon 10 the Roman history, he was literally almost
at the gates of New Orleans By means of his naval SUI
peo1y already alluded 10, lac might be said TO be ready
Tor attack erery ~here whilst, from the various causes
which have stated, prepared TO receive him AL
most no tchere. The powerful and Formidable armament
destined for the attack of Orleans was composed ina rood
degree oil The army OF Wellington; vains orously called
me cohquerors of the conqucrors of Europe. Every
mail from that quarter received with almost
anxiety IL was even asserted in of the papers of the
day. that Orleans had been captured and tina, the Pres
dent was In possession OF official intelligence of the fact
Nay we were by one editor furnished with the ominous
prediction that we should never celebrate another 4h OF
JHly, as an independent nation.
The situation OF affairs such, as TO Cause in tho
then temporary capital, meeting of the members friend
" to the Administrations TO decide upon great ques-
lion concerning the public good speaking from memory
will not assert itpoiveyD believe the subject matter
was the Bank.-W hatevcr was the subject 1 have TO
this day, strong impression upon my mind of the effect
2oucei by bret address from the venerable Finday of
Pennsylvania. His advanced age his lettering form his
remuious voice, seemed almost produce the solemny
the voice oil one from the Dead when he called upon
us to save the country In the midst of all this anxious
soicude but not till after the Bank Bill had passed comc
The news OF the memorable battle of the Sth of January
and never shall forget the ccstacy of the House upon
hearing OF that event. l will attempt description
TURNER tan TO say that put TO flight every thing like
parliamentary iorm in the reciprocal congratu which
took place. Such was the condition of the country and
such the circumstances occurring during the Session of
Congress commencing in Sept 1874 and terminating
March 3D., 1915 And now the question arises WHY did
not vote on the Bank Bill ofJanuary 1915! This is my
answer
On the hand, it my fixed and conscientious be-
lei, tha congress had not the constitutional power to
charter Bank. On the other had the most ardent de-
sire TO sustain the honor and my country; and to
emu, government should be furnished
the necessary means understood that the then Secre-
tary of the Treasury of opinion, that under ersfn
circumstances, the establishment of national bank was
one OF he most efficient means OF raising credit
supplying funds 10 carry the war. In this painful d
cmma, what should do. the question to be decided
My mind not satisfied that the extremity of the case
was great enough TO justify upon the principle Sdlts
Popui, SlTefd iec, 10 vote for the Bank in direct viola
ton, as conceived, of the Constitution The alternative
then, was either TO vote against it, vote at ALL Up
on this alternative deberated for days and nights with
painful anxiety Having expressed some of my polit-
cal friends, my invincibe constitutional difficulties an
appeal was made TO whose language, indeed cannot
now remember but whose import deeply impressed up
ON my memory.
Twas coniurcd, if could not aid them in CARVING or
the war; not to impede them. Questions like this in Sub
stance were propounded TO Had such an ovcrween-
ing selfcondence think myself inallble, Could
not give credit TO political friends, for virtue and intel
gence enough, TO doubt the proprety of my own opinon;
II they could reconcile it TO themselves TO vote for it, would
persevere in voting against measures which it was be
heyed' would furnish the means TO defend the country,
and thus stake the defence of that country upon the n
Iibility of one single opinion OF mine?
Under all the circumstances of the decided no. 10
vote at ALI and II ever, in my life, the motive TO my ac-
ton disinteresed patriotism was upon this occasion
emphaiically that it operated was not unaware tbni
such course might subject critcism but uncarne
consequences they regarded myself resolved TO de-
vote myself for the public good 9any one for moment
can suppose, that there shrinking from responsibility
TO nm let INC say that my conduct and lis motives were
not hid under bushels they openly avowed and pub
Ic'y knownin Washington. They also openly avoy-
Ell, and publicly known in my district They were there
tnumphantly indicated, by election in spite of h
objection by an overwhelming majority. MANY OF The
facts which have stated have become matter of his
Tory As TO those which not so, though seventeen
years have now elapsed, would venture to appeal 10 e
recollection OF the few gentlemen, in the councils
The nation who were then members and who belonged tc
The same political school with myself.
Dul why need refer TO memory when can derive from
The records OF the House. satisfactory proof by inference
tat my course had reference solely the public good an,
was pursued under the emergency of the case?
The Journals will shcw, that on the 2Sth Novembcr
lSli voted against BILL 10 charter an United State,
Bank AT that time, the crisis in our affairs had not mr.
rived ihey viii shew, too, that the 18th February
$50 voted for the indefinite postponcment of bill from
me senate Tor charcring Bank This motion was made
100 ny ME- Lowndes, who had heretofore voted for bank
But IT viii be remembered that the crisis i'm orr affairs had
now passed, Tor by this time had the news of peace
he Bill, on which did not vote was one from the
senate which was first put upon passage on the I'd OF
January 1872 when rejected by the casting vote
oil te Speaker; and them having been considered
again put upon its passage the 9TH of January 1915
when 1t was passed An attention 10 dates will sew at
me r question, on the passage Of this BILL was taken on
he "a January being six days. aud the second question
was on the 7th January, being only one day before the
oauie OF tie Sh being the period OF greatest extre-
my. ms bill passed by vote of 100 10 80, but was
rejected by the President before stated Thus te naio
ty IN favor OF il 81; and yet i'm six weeks afterwards
PHI from the Senate for charcring Bank t was repor
ca alter tie first vetoed) indefinitely postponed
ny vote OF ~ to 49, being majority of one against the
DahK cannot pretend, at this day. assign the mo-
ives Tor TINS great change, from knovledec but
inier that IT was because the great pressure had passed
away 1t cannot be presumed TO have been owing 10 any
defect IN tie bill; because the journal shews that any
leading members, who voted for that the 9Th January
also voice against the Pos;ponemcn Of that the l7h
February.
These the factsof the case whether underline cir
cumsiances in which placed should have perse-
vered ia voting against -or should as did have dccI;