Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-06-05
WHOLE NO. 21S.

by the charter, be required from the
Bank, or legally received or compelled
from any other quarter. IL, in the pro-
gress Of such an investigation, so con-
Quoted, disclosures had been made Of
matter requiring or authorizing any fur
ther procedure on the part Of the House,
the undersigned wonld not have been
behind the most jealous Of their asso-
ciates in denouncing it to the House,
and the country. A different view Of
their duty was, however, taken by their
colleagues, resulting in series o! mea-
sures, from which the Undersigned unfOr-
tunately found themselves obliged TO dig
sent.
But while there was form, in which
the undersigned were prepared to meet
every part ofthe resolution, under which
the committee was raised--the form
most consonant TO the wants and wishes
Of the country, TO which all other mat
ters OF party elimination are signif-
cant, compared with the great question
Of the causes, the just responsibility, and
the remedies of the present sore distress)
the form unquestionably in which the
resolution was viewed by one consider.
able class of those who voted for it in the
House-the undersigned freely admit,
that, in the range and character propos-
ed to be given to the inquiry by their
colleagues, the majority Of the commit
tee, the purpose Of the majority of the
House was not mistaken. They think
that no candid person, contemplating all
the circumstances Of the case, from the
first demonstrations of a policy on the
part of the Executive hostile to the Bank,
down 10 the recent measures, in support
Of that policy in the House Of Represen-
tatives, will deny that its object was the
overthrow of the institution, and the inn
peachment Of its Directors before the
bar of public opinion, if not before that
of the Judicial tribunals Of the land, Of
gross malpractices, corruptions, and
frauds; and that the inquiry to be con-
! Quoted by the committee, Of which the
undersigned composed the minority, was
proposed to be one Of the measures to
promote that end. So far from this be-
ing denied, the undersigned understand
it to be not only admitted, but claimed as
merit, on their part of the friends Of
WIG ptCbSu VI khC 4N0~
tional Government.
How was it natural that such an in
quiry should be met by the Bank, or
rather by those who have been entrusted
by the stock kholders with its drection1-
The Bank is a Legal abstraction. To
charge the Bank with bribery and cor
ruption, is to use words which have no
accurate meaning, true or false. The
, party implicated are the direct and Of
iicers men Of character; men known to
the community as some OF its most use
full members and brightest ornaments;
[ men of probity, unimpeached in private
I life. Some of them are merchants,
, whose word, in the most important trans.
actions, would be deemed as good as
their bond; and others are professional
, characters, who adorn the highest tribu-
, nails Of the country. These are the par
: ty implicated-charged with most cru
e el and perfidious design to bring univer-
i sal distress upon the country, for the
!; sake Of paltry selfish ends; and to pro-
d mote these ends, further charged with
g corrupting the conductors Of the press,
y corrupting the people in the exercise OF
= their elective franchise, and corrupting
d the members of Congress. Are honest
n and honorable men, charged with these
J. odous misdemeanors, to submit to the
il charge without a murmur; to acknow-
}. ledge the reasonableness of making it;
s the expediency Of investigating it, all
q vague and unspeci6ed as il rs; the real
!: ity of prima jae;a case against them2--
e Does conscious innocence require them
O to admit that there is ground Of suspic-
n ion? Does the strong and indignant
G feeling that their characters are outrag-
h ed, while their rights are invaded, call
). upon them voluntarily to take the cul-
), prit's place, and endure the gnominy Of
l. what they deem an uncalled for, and q
,f vexatious inquisition! Or is It not rather
>. the dictate Of proud and conscious inno.
IS cence, to place themselves upon theil
70 rights beneath the agis ofths laws III
10 go to my neighbor, as honest man al
r; my self, and say, "you are a swindlel
ss and a knave," shall he meekly ask m,
,s to enter his house, lay open his legel
/, and his letter book, and invite me to col
L. lect the materials out Of which l may
to prejudice the public against him' The
r directors of the Bank are citizens, al
8, honest and as virtuous as any Of those, In
~ office or out Of il, high or low, who
On charge them with corruption. A gooe
of name is as dear to them as to their &C
nd cuscrs. Their stake in the welfare o
d, their country is as great. The success
n, with which they have conducted the al
ey fairs of the great institution entrusted {
"a. their care, is not matter Of opinion, 1t
ar notorious to all the world. At this mo