Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-02-25
Virginia legislature.
DEFERRED DEBAT,E.-[ Coniinued.l

Speech of Mr.. McCoMAs of Vuthe, in the Senate OF
Irgmia on the 18th January, 1884, IN Committee
OF me Whole, on the eonstitutionality " the Bank Of
the United States.
MIR. McComas said, that lie almost sorry that he
mad claimed The Indulgence OF the Committeeman he al
most wished tina he ad permitted the question to have
been taken yesterday evening" but he considered
II as duty that he owed to himself. and those whose
representative he was, 10 express in concise manner
his opinion OF the power claimed and exercised by Con-
gress, to incorporate Bank OF the United States.
Every gentleman, said Mr.. McComss, who /, at all
cohversant with my opinions knows have been anx.
ious, during the discussion elsewhere that tho questions
respecting the eons'utionaity OF the Bank, and The
mova OF the Deposes, should he separsted that he
wished 10 give either the goby-or he trusted long az
he held seat in any deliberaive body, he would not
shrink from the expression OF his opinion upon any uues
sion But he said he was in favor OF the separation
cause the opinion OF the Genersl Assembly upon each
could In that way be more certainly ascertained He said
he had desired the separon because many of the
oers who are in avor oil the resolutions concerning the
removal OF the depostes do conscenously believe that
that Bank is constitutional He said, he had moi heard
any good why they should be untedhat he could
not perceive any connexion between the two subecs-
lie did not think that it could rightfuy he used TO ex.
cue the President, because he and all the departments
me General Government are certainly bound consider
the Bank of the United States constitutional until the
charter shall have expired.
But, slr continued MIR. McComas, the two sube cts
have come TO united from the originating body Should
we disunite them by striking OF them IRON the reso
uons might be thought, that This body considered the
Bank OF the United States constitutional He believed This
oody entertans no such opinions, and not entertaining il
HIMSELF he anxious 10 place himself in situation
to have his opinion misunderstood.
We all know, that the union OF these two questions
produced discomfort in the House below, but the msun.
Outstanding 10 have been by the intro
ducon OF the 9th resolutions; aud should that resolution
not be restored, then he would move, other member
oil the Senate would 10 strike out the fourth resolution
Good faith TO the party wish whom have would
then demand it.
said Mr.. McComas, at FIRST opposed to the union
Of the two subjects, because thought il was vain
flourish of trumpets when nothing intended that il
was only thrown in to divide the party who DESTROYS
TO censure the removal of the deposites have asked
st,nVtI fka
gnis and incorporate bank does the State intend to
lily aw All answer No Does she intend TO in, erpose
In any TO prevent its operations within her limits!
No Does she intend declare that it is such papabe
violation OF the Constitution, would justify Tie State in
Withdrawing from the Unon' All answer, we have no
such Intention From all can discover intend SUBJ
init and enact such laws will protect the notes issued
by any bank which may be created. 1t would then seem
to be the part OF wise men, TO endeavou to obtain good
bank possible.
But, Sir, when gentlemen ask me to strike out the 4b
resolution not Tor the purpose Of separating the ques
tons, but because the resolution does contain the
truth because Congress has to incorporate bank
cannot, will not do it; for believe, upon the oath
which have taken support the that Con.
gress possesses no such power.
will now Mr. Chairman, proceed 10 enquire, whether
Congress has the power claimed by The friends of the
Bank In doing do expect present single ar.
gumeD that has been urged against the power now
claimed and published to the world all that can do will
be- TO select and present TO the Senate those arguments
which have bad The greatest effect in producing conviction
my mind
Mr.. Chairman, from the commencement Of the Fede.
known by the name of Federai.s and Republicans the
former endeavoured TO enlarge the powers the Govern
meut, by giving most liberal and laudinous construc.
Ton to the Constitution Indeed, IL the same party
who desired, IN the Convention that formed the Consu-
ton TO consolidate all power in great central sove.
reigny and having failed there, they determined
70 obtain the same object by construction.
Inc Republicans, on the other hand, wished TO confne
the government 10 the powers enumerated in the Con.
stituion.
1t has not been commended so far as know that the
power TO incorporate Bank, is found among the
ca powers 1t Is argued by some, that II passed incl
dental 10 some one Of the specified powers; by Others that
II passed under Tie phrase, "to provide for the general
welfare, sc. Blu, the gentleman from Louisa yesterday
told Us, that he did rely on that phrase feel some
what obliged TO him for the Acknowledgement Yet am
compelled 10 say that he has advanced opinions equally
destructive OF the reserved rights OF the States There
are some lew, even in Virginia, that contend whethe the
power TO create Bank be incidental any Of the enume-
raed powers not means necessary and otoper
Gny 9'o elect some one or all the powers Of the
UenerH government, that Congress has a right to re-
eor. 70 W. Before we proceed to examine the business
o. 'ne Prelens'ons OF the advocates Of the power OF
congress 10 charter corporation let us first ascertain
what sort Of government is The Fede,sl Govssn'
ment, and whence does 1t derive its powers,-Fron
so,,c. hao o'V ;ni can resort to other
ascertain its powers you must look TO the Con.,,on
What Is not found there does not exist; Or in o,bs s
tits government Of powers and svbs,rn,I
i,om existing State Coyernmentsand all the power, M
or 10 the people. ''''e''
The difference between the Government Of the United
STATES and that Of State, is that the grant of power 10
the STATE Governments is general with certain specified
executions. The State Governments may do any thing,
un'ess me,e Se direct prohibition. To ascertain The
ascertain that Of the United States you look 70
IN giving construction TO the Constitution NJ the Ir;,
STATES you ought 10 keep close to the letter and
70 give the meaning In which IL was understooJ bY ~
people when they adopted II. II you depart from ia
ue, al WIZ DC uncertainty. " you give 10 the Sv,d
general welfare" the construction eontended r., ,s.
oce destroy the nature and character Of the Cover
on al once strike from the Constitution ali ~.
NAV eonsgsp o 1--WE and Congress may DO any thing il