The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-01-15
FROM Col. Benton's Speech.

marks upon the Bank SAID me "ou'u
take leave to read n paper repie'e Win
facts and sentiments applicable to the
presen, attitude of the Bank of the u.
States, though written thirty years ago.
and reference to which he should have i.
frequent occasion to make. 1t was
mart of letter from the great apostle oi
American Liberty (Mr. Jefferson) to
Albert Galatin.
Mr. Kane, at the request Of MIR. d.
read the paper.
This institution is one OF The most
de,Jlv bos,ili,ies existing, against the
principles and the form of our Consn-
,u,;ou. The nation is, at this ilne' so
.,ro,y and united in It's sentiments, that
it cahno, be shaken at ihis moment
but suppose series of unto"ard e'e"s
to occur, sufficient, TO bring INTO doue'
the competency of Il republican GoVerh-
men, to meet crisis of great danger
or TO unhinge the confidence OF the peo-
rle in the public fnnc'ionarIes; an M
s,i,u,ion like this penetrating hy It's
branches every par, of the Uuion, acting
hv command aud in phalanx, may, IN
critical moment, upset the Government
80 deem 70 Government safe which Is
under the vassalage Of any self consiiiu-
ted authorities, or any other an'hor"y
,han that of the nation, or its regular
frrciionurics. What an obstrucuo"
4 could NOT this Bank of tho United states
,y,,b all lis branches, be in time OF war
II might dictate to MS the peace '"
should accept, or withdraw lis aids
Ouch, we then, to give further grow''
oop institution SO powerful, so hostile
Tint il is so hostile we know, hrst IRON
knowledge of the principles OF the pei
sons composing the body ol Directors
every Bank, principal or branch an
,,os. of most of the Stockholders SEE
,rd,v. from their opposition III the ne'
surcs and principles of the governmcn
and To the election of those friendly
Them and thirdly, from the seniime"
of the newspapers they support; Two
while we are strong, II is the gfea'e
duty we owe to the safety OF cur y"
s,i,u,ion, to bring ibis powerful enen
20 a pertect subordination under It,
tbori,ies. The frs, measure wo Id
IN reduce them to an equal footing IN
with other Banks as 20 the iaVoTs oi
government" (Tha, is, as to puoi'c
posites.)
IThe following is the concluding p
auranb of Mr.. Benton's speech on
day.l =.
Ue wished now to say word OF
meetings every where getting up 20
fluence Congress on the subject OF
deposites-,o coerce their "'ns'a"'"
ous restoration" lie had observed
merchants were often engaged III III
meetings. Allow me to say, s'r' 'h"'
historical reading and my proiess'o
studies, have led me to entertain an
alted opinion, and high respects tor
chants as body. He need not 9"
to the middle ages, when merch
were the founders of states, and ra
the free cities of Italy to level
kingdoms. and empires. lie would
to the merchants of England and Al
ica, who had potential voice
statesmen in all matters of finance
commerce. The opinions OF such
whenever expressed, would conn
from him respec, and Difference b
maintain their right TO that respect
Difference, they must express the
ions Of mercl,aurs and not of pol
partisans. Their meetings must bc
of merchants, in which they speak
net for themselves, and not the me
Of lawyers and polticians, in whic
merchant. made no figure. In
meetings The voice coming from III
ants was lost; il was their own fau
merging their own high charact
,ha, of faction. The heat and pa
Of political meeting was not ,he
a,re when they wished TO enIishie