Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-10-07
October 81, 1891
TO THE EDJy.ok


A SUBSCRIBER.
October 81, 1884
TO THE EDITORS or TIE ENQUIRER
CENT ENfEN-On the Sd oil last month read M your
paper, published on the preceding day,
mnnicaon over the signature oil "a Citizen, addressing
certain inquiries TO me, which the that
would respond promptly and freely have thought
proper 10 deier until for which
is unnecessary here 10 state.
Many cogent arguments might be urged, why an indi-
vidua occupying public stsiion, would be justified i'm
passing by, sab siienfio anony publications. calling
on INN Tor iul deveopement al his opinions relative
Tie leading political questions which, ircm time time
may agate the public mind. la high party times, like
the present, the lsbour OF responding public
wouhi be truly oppressive and, indeed tho import
ant aud nieres ing intelligence would he thereby crowd
ed out OF the public Journals Enquiries would be con.
stanrly made TO subserve party desgnsto engeier po
uca rancour aud vim Dceto get the Ins out and the
Outs in Notw outstanding these, aud many other cons
deraons which might be noticed, feel disposed grail
y the writer referred TO above, because am induced 10
believe that he acuaed by any inpyoDer nofipe
when he penned his communication.
La responding TO the inlerrogaions Of "a Citizen"
deem u entirely supererogaory tcrife out argument
m support oil The propositions which may be affirmed
The first question he proposes. is, whether consler
mys' II as instrnreto Tor Mr. Leigh next Sc
nator because tho OF the counes OF my dis rct have
cleo ei Opposition memberw My reply TO this enaui,y
h that do not consider my sell usiruc 10 vote Tor
MIR. Leigh, by a. result tle elections i'm the
TWO counties alluded TO- IL sunknow ne, whether
i-oiiy oil my constituents desire the MIR
Lrigh. or not have data. by which their ishes on
this point can he ascetainrd with absolute certainty
me constitutional voters OF the District Tor MIR.
Leigh, or any o'her individual would certainly obey
MEM hold the right OF Instruction in Representative
Democracy, TO be vital principle IL is, indeed, the
great cornerstone which upois the Temple of American
Freedom: without strict adherence 10, aud rigid enio
mrn al, this sacred principle, the boosted sovereignty OF
the people, would be but the baseless fabric of VII
sion IL might, indeed exist in political CONCENTRATIONS
on' Tor all useful aud practical purposes, il would in TRUTH
ne hu'hiy The servant would be above his mas
ter and oil delegated trusts would be grossly abused.
The second enquiry proposed. is the following "sould
me contest be narrowed down 10 between Martin Van
Buren, aud Benjamin Watkins Leigh as al present advised
winch wi receive your support Tor the Presidency" This
- supposed case, which believe will never occur
NO such issue Will be made up ! cannot think that Mr.
Leghs warmesI supporters enerian the mos distant hone
OF his teing the immediate successor OF the present in
cumhen when. in the lulness time it shall be known
who VIII be the prominent candidates for that elevated
station, II living. ,ia be found operating with The
hepnbican Party will vote Tor no Bank man, or quasi
Bank man, but will sustain the candidate Who may be Sc
eced 10y the Anti Bank Party, helher tia in, ua he
Marlin Van Buren,, any other distinguished gentleman
will vote Tor no WHO'S in favor of renewal Of the
quarter OF Tie u > Bank, or advocate for
OF the Deposiies. have had the honor OF sea, in the
Legislature about twelve years, wi hin the sixteen
and believe that no mau say With truth, that have
ever stayed tom the Republican told 1 am, howe, err
no pdiuZin-l have been confined in party Tram
mtls. have stuck close as brother to the Republic
can cause-beleving II 20 be the she the only
say and hope Of Freemen. II is good cause-beriy
based upon The eternal principles Of Truth and Justice
~ CiIzen iuriher asks "Whai my opinions rels-
tive TO the league State Banks the Treasury its con-
suonnly aud expediency, and requests that should
hSFe "a complete talk on this enquiry" hope he will
dispense with ga complete t,k subject as il could
he attended With 10 amusement to himself or entertain
neDt 10 ie public. When this question as first agtacd
entertained doubts the expedenry and conslit-
onality OF The But alter having deliberately
examined and reviewed the political history coun
ry my doubts have been entirely removed have no,o
no hesitation in saying, that, under judcous legislative
enscimens, he Public Revenue may be safely deposited
in the Sta;e Banks. These institutions were selected as
places o. Deposit "06 ino retPubiicg and continued TO
be the Treasury until the creation Of the present Bank Of
the u s. believe that the public funds aud tile public
liberty may he safely guardedby the selection Of tie State
Banks All experience proves, that s easier corrupt the
lev than the many. The State Legislatures having su
Perysng cOnrou their nonied can
at a' times couneract the unlawful designs OF the
saiies OF an smbitious Chef Magistrate a President,
whose insaate ambition would prompt him 10 aspire
giuerng crown OF Royalty, might, by uhhoy combna
ton with corrupt and 0UeshGdoioing mOnitd corpora
hon like that Of the u Safes Bank greatly endangrr the
existence OF our free Insu ons II has been Justly re-
marked, ihI .eoneentrsed wealth is the dynasty Of
modern STATES - Let tile wealth OF this nation be
irdedonce establish "inlpetfuyu in ippDerio Bank
Government within the Government OF the People aud
the days OF American freedom will be Then numbered
Money u powe--plsce II in the hands of the few and
they will certainly govern the many.
Tie las, inerfogaory Propounded by "a Citizen" Is az
follows. "Wiat are your views generally The o. States
Bank, and all other National B,nk,P'--f am now aud
always have been, opposed TO the Bank OF tie j. States
and al other National Banks believe that tle Consd-
iuon does rot vest IN the Legislative Department tho
Government any power 10 incorporate u. States Bank
" am not Mistaken have made this decia ion more
than once, IN my Legislative capacy believe that tho
wise trainers Of the Federal Constitution Intended, that
the Naiion1i currency should stand upon metallic
basis-fhdt specie circulation should be tie coast-
tUfionoi eurrency-l have always thought dist the
power claimed by Congress- 10 incorporate = n aonsf
Bank WAS, Of ail OILERS, Tie most bold aud alarming
act OF federal UsurpaoD. TIE only part Of the Con.
stituton which conters any power on Congress 10 eg-
late the currency w. tina, portion Of tile 81, Section OF
Ii Article, which save, that Congress shall have power
coin money, regulate the cdIue thereof snJ Of foreign
coin" The old u States Bank conceived IN niqnty
fraud, and oppression II jenomnsted the first monster
OF Federalism II bore lie front such strong marks Of
corruption, that u was hated and despised nnstemg
thing. II denounced by all men who we're advocates
for strict construction Of the Federal Constitution
conceived aud brought forth by the advocates Of tie
heretics doctrines Of ezpedency Isremarkabie Mossrs
Editors that this doctrine Of expcdcncy, or utility shood
find many defenders at this day. wien lie peryiieots
eostqneness must be as ePpafeni every rescOg mind