Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-20

express that opinion, in a speech against the
creation of bank, which very speech gentle-
men were now circulating in CARRIED 1orm
wherever they thought its circulation would fur
ther their views He had then believed the
Bank to be unconstitutional. What he now
said was not for the purpose OF gaming ap-
plause or praise; but during pontlcal lie OF
thirty years, this was the only question OF pub
lie Importance on which he had changed his
opinion.
And what were the circumstances which had
wrought this change? The experience OF the
war, and of the operations ofthese very Banks,
which the gentleman said had so triumphantly
borne us through difficulties, had compelled him
to review and revise his opinions. What was
the fact2 The Government issued paper Dear
ing an interest ofsix per cent, which 1t pledged
the faith of the country to redeem. For TINS pa
per, guaranteed by the honor and faltn OF the
Government, there was obtained, for every lOO
dollars 80 dollars from these Banks which sus-
pended their specie payments The experience
of the war; therefore, had shown the necessity
for the Bank. The country could not get along
without it. He had, then, changed his opinion
on the subject and he had never attempted to
disguise the fact that he had changed II,
in consequence of the experience which he
had obtained. He had doubts if experience
could have the effect exchanging any opinions
of the gentleman from New York, or the gen
teman from North Carolina. He had changed
his opinion with Madison and other men, as
wise certainly as either of the members from
New York, or from North Carolina. Did he
skulk on this occasion. He held at that time a
situation in the House. which would have per-
mitted him to lock up his opinion in his own
breast He was then the presiding oftlcer OF the
House of Representatives. The question was
not to continue Bank, because there was none
in existence, but to create one; and he had then
come forward, as honest men ought to come TOR
ward, and expressed his change ofopinion, at the
time when Mr.. Madison, who was the President,
and other distinguished men, changed their
course. He could point to Senators here and
there, who had then changed, as well as to prom
inent citizens throughout the country: While leg
islative bodies changed A gentleman who now
held a high judicial station in Virginia, and who
could not consistently with his own views Of the
constitution, vote for the Bank, was so convin-
ced of its necessity, that, as he had recently ad-
mitted in a pamphlet, he went out of the House
that he might not oppose it. He himself had
changed, because the good ofhis country requl
red that he should change his opinions; and, as
he had said, the experience of the war had
shown that the Bank was indispensably necessa-
ry.
He felt regret that any disclosure which he
had made Of his own relations with the Bank,
should nave given pain to the Senator from
New York. In reference to his own affairs, the
gentleman might make such disclosures as he
thought proper, but probably any disclosures
concerning the condition of some of his
political friends at Albany at this moment, would
not be very pleasant In reference to himself,
it was we'll known to his friend from Mississippi
and others, that, at public tavern in Virginia,
the President had made certain statements rela
tive to his (Mr. CLAY's) situation with the bank
which had been circulated through all the news
papers on that side, and which he had found it
necessary to meet with fiat contradiction.