Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-12-17

IctUtYc anu 1nulClai, anu IL 20 H6t With
in the constitutional authority of eithe,
Of those departments, to pay away with
ont law, OF to sanction its payment. &C
cordng to this plain constitutional pro-
vision the Claim of the banl; can never
be paid without an appropriation by ac
of Congress. But the bank has never
asked Tor an appropriation. ltattempts
to defeat the provision of the constilu
ION, and obtain payment without an
net of Congress. Instead of awaiting
an appropriation passed by beth houses
and approved by the presideni,i it makes
an appropriation for itself: & invites an
appeal to the Judiciary to sanction it.
That the money had not technically been
paid into the treasury, docs not effect the
principle intended to be established by
the constitution. The Executive and
Judiciary have as little right TO appro
pirate and expend the public money
without authority Of law, before it is
placed TO the credit of the treasurer, as
to take it from the treasury. liz the
annual report Of the secretary Of the
treasury, aud in his correspondence with
the president Of the bank, and the opin
ions of the attorney general accompa-
nying it, you will find further exami-
nation Of the claims Of the bauk, aud
the course il has pursued.
1t seems due to the safety of the pub
lie funds remaining in that bank, and
TO the honor of the American people,
that measures be taken 10 separate the
government entirely from an institution
so mischlevous to the public prosperity,
and so regardless Of the constitution
and laws. By transferring the public
dePosiIes, by appointing other pension
agents, as far as it bad the power, by
ordering the discontnuance Of the re-
ceipt of bank checks in payment If the
public dues after the FIRST day of Janu-
AIRY next, the executive has exerted all
lis lawful authority to sever the connex
ion between the government and this
faithiess corporation.
The high handed career of this in>
stitution imposes upon the constitutional
tnnctlonaries of this government, duties
OF the gravest and most imperative
characteristics which they cannut
avoid, and from which | trust there
will be no inc'ina ion on the part
any Of them to shrink. My own sense
OF them is most clear, as is also my
readiness TO discharge those which may
rightfu!ly fall TO me. To continue any
business relations with the bank of the
United States thai may be avoided with
out violation Of the national fifth, af
ter that institution has set at defiance
the conceded right ef the government
10 examine its aif,irs; after it has done
all in its power to deride the public au
thorlty in other respects, and to bring
itinto disrepute at home and abroad
after it has attempted to defeat the
clearly expressed will of the people by
turning against them the immense pow
er intrusted to its hands, and by involv>
ing country otherwise peaceful, flour
ishng and happy, in discussion, emhar-
rassment, and distress would make the
nation itself a party to the degradation
so seduously prepared for its public
agents-aud do much TO destroy the
confidence Of mankind in popular gov
ernments, and to bring into contempt
their authority and efficiency. Ia guard
ing against an evil Of such magnitude,
considerationsof temporary convenience
should be thrown out Of the question, &
we should be influenced by such motives
only as look 10 the honor and preserva-
ton Of the republican system. Deeply
and solemnly Impressed with the jus
'ce CT these views, | feel it my duty to
recommend to you, that law be passed
authorizing the sale Of the public stock
that the provision Of the charter requir-
ing the receipt Of notes Of the bank in
payment Of public dues, shall, in &C.
cordance with the power reserved to
Congress in the 18th section Of the
charter, be suspended until the bank
pays to the treasury the dividends with
held; and that all laws connecting the
government or its off GERS with the bank,
directly or indirectly, be repealed; and
that the institution be left hereafter to
its own resources and means.
Events have satisfied my mind, and |
think the minds Of the American people.
THAT the mischiefs and dangers which
flow from a national bank far overhaul
ance all its advantages. The bold eff
fort the present bank has made to con-
troll the government, the distresses it
has wantonly produced, the violence of
which it has been the occasion in one of
our cities famed for lis observance of
/ u IL and arlDr .,ro k.,t I,rnro n..iIi..uc IF