Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-04-08
Twemty-third Congress.--Ist scss.
iR. LElGH'S SPEECH,
In the Senate ef the u s. Tassooy March Is, 1884

- ~,
In the Senate IF the u. s. Tassdoy, March 49, 1884.
Alter Mr.. Webster had concluded
MIR. Leigh rose and said: The gentleman from New
York has entirely mistaken the import purpose of
he has thought worthy OF his notice. am far more dis
posed to mpue bis misconceptions to my ownswant OF
clearnes aud precision than any defect OF appehen
sion on his part and as others may have fallen into simi.
lar Mistakes it is well, at once, TO give such explanations
oil my meaning, in some OF the particulars alluded TO,
as will leave no room for Misunderstanding
In The brs place. when said that the putting down oil
The existing Bank might, very probably Il add now that
lbehevc II VIII cersnly) be followed by the incorpora
ton OF another National Bank liable TO all the consiit
onal objections which, In the judgment OF the People OF
Virginia. condemn the charter OF the prcsen, Bank, with
other differences but such will aggravatc the evil
did not the gentleman from New York supposes res,
my objection TO that project OF ne National Bank of
which spoke, on the single circumstance that the mother
Bank would be located in New York. That was, in my
mind no otherwise 10 the scheme, than
might contribute to make 1t acceptable there, and thus
asien upon u.s. said, that the only differences be-
tween the charter Of the present Bank aud OF the
National Bank which is likely 10 succeed il, wonl pro-
badly consist in the location Of the mother Bank at New
York; and in the vesng oil absolute control verhe
direction in the President OF the United States OF this
last principle the gentleman iiom New York has taken
noice-yeti was this principle Oh which chiefly dwet
this principle which may serve TO recommend II Ex
ecutive approbaIon-his principle which will multiply
Executive influence, d-hveiold-teniodit
this principle that chiefly the object OF my alb
horrence and Dread and will excite the apprehen.
slons and indignation OF every man, who has been
all sensible OF the awful squirting oil this Government
towards monarchy" who has not, OF late from use
and habit, become cnarnoured of that deiormiy. Is
ii supposed that the peopleparculary the people OF
Nirgna-iave forgotten The propenson oil this Govern
ment 10 monarchy, well consolidation: that they
have become reconciled TO its monarchca tendencies
astounded by the rapidy with which they working?
and that they willen hand TO accelerate the operation
of them! Ii we wiluly shut eyes TO the progress Of
things-if we are so supne and neglected. as not 10
guard institutions against the approaches of power
carried in broad day-if the frenzy of party spirit
apt dim mems vision and deprave their civic character
is 10 he still cherished and Wanted as the chief of re
canisa skall If
'potical Bank which 1 see and more eve.
ny hour 10 arprehend; and them too may surely
pec pay the penalty we shall deserve, in the pnvaon
not of property, but OF hberty My part OF the punish
ment must lear; will not incur any share OF the guilt
The gentleman IRON New York says, he thinks any
al Bank would be unconstitutional He does not profess
tn-he cannot hinklhat the President is oil that OPT
non repeat, that the President, his veto message
declared the nation that he would have furnished Con-
gress scheme OF National Bank, il he had been asked
to do What that scheme was he did think proper
TO indcate-whaiever ii was, the gentleman from New
York, more than l, think his Bank would have
been constitutional; and he rely upon H. there
constitutional objections that will induce the President
veto Bank charter framed TO his liking.
The gentleman seems 10 suppose, that expressed a
doubt OF the patriotism OF the Western States while he
relies il sufficient make them bear every evil,
however oppressive, provided it is Inflicted by their Co.
vernmen,. The gentleman cannot entertain higher
opinion OF their loyalty TO The Union than do; but, let
government beware not to put their loyalty trials which
loyalty can endure. j myself sincerely
cercy attached the Unon and that very rea-
son thought IT right to iorewarn my counrymen OF the
danger which Is hanging Would % Heaven I
could believe the danger imaginary
Taking the present of things exhibit the perma-
system OF the Governments; and alvering The sia c
and oil business in the country, nnaed the OBI.
Mon, that the system, if persisted in under circum-
Stances would give New York such advantages, such
command over the whole commerce Of the country, as
must make her mistress OF the empire OF the
Of the general proposition am quite sure but did moi,
because was not able TO deveope it, in all its bearings
The gentleman, neither admitting nor conroverDg the
Justness oil my conclusions, contents himself with saying
that the rest OF the Union and especially Virginia cannot
be object the endowment by the ci
ty New York, of all its natural advantages and lie does
than justice, when he expresses his assurance
that will not. No, tainy will not But The gem
eman will be pleased reflect thu, advantages given tc
New York, by the action o! this
given TO her at the expense OF every other part OF The
tryare not natural advantages, but fictitious unnatural
undue advantages in which is altogether unreasonable
10 expect US TO acquiesce II am hight III my estimate
oil the character and extent OF those advantages they ought
TO excite, they will, they excite public attention
aud the delberaon ihroug the country
In reference 10 the decision which the people Of Vr-
GINA may make, between the renewal Of the charter
the Bank OF the United States, and the various aIerna-
ves which apprehend the Developments of the present
year may present TO them, the gentleman from New
York. apparently supposng that declared contrary OPT
nio took upon himself TO say, that they will give
their consent TO the renewal OF the charter of The presen
Bank, which they believe to be UNCONSTITUTIONAL in
TO avoid other measures, though these should
unconstitutional, and OF far pernicious consequence
Now, pray The Senate 10 remember, that ! did un.
derake 10 say, how the people of Virginia will decide be
tween the alternatives that may, and have doubt VIII
be presented them; and il the gentleman only knew with
what respect are in the habit OF regarding the debc
judgment OF the people, and the EXPIRE Of their
will, he would understand the why did not pre-
sumo TO declare my opinion what their decision will
But, in the decision OF such quesOD-n the choice
between evils some other OF which is inevitable,
is not morally possible, il is right, pay regard
pre-ersug idcts which have already worked their
regard TO the actual circumstances OF the nation
which, however Produced, wise be alleredno re
gard TO consequences. This is what the people Of Yfg
MIA have done Even respect this question oil
National Bank, they have hitherto done Whef
the question OF renewal Of the charter OF the old Bank
the United States was pending before Congress- in 1911
the General Assembly Of Virginia declared opinion
that the Institution UNCONSTITUTIONAL and on tina
ground alone instructed the Senators of the State in Con
grcss against the renewal OF the charter But soof
afterwards, in 1914, when Mr.. Dallds's scheme Of
National Bank (egaded his, | suppose, becau-e IL,
then had tile administration Of the Treasury Department
under consideration, Virginia remained profoundly ST
lent. This however, was during the war; when tie hnan
cia endorsements OF the country were extreme, an,
when the minds OF all men occupied with tile " ar
and intent only OIL the contest with the foreign enemy; an
this Circumstance might suffice TO account for The mat
.eniiOn OF Virginia, at that time, TO the project of
National Bank, though she still held Il be unconsttu
lona for any favor with which her statesmen
may then have viewed it, But the charter OF the preset
1Sl5-l6, alter the peaceproposed aud adopted yerii,
believe, under sense OF ImpeIOus necessity The oni
practicable means OF correcting tie viiied state OF h
cueRcy, produced by inundaiOn OF Bank paper pour
Ell forth by the State Banks, and OF relieving The opera
tons OF the Treasury FROM continued embarrassment ant
dsorder-and ! well remember, (lOr, knowing the publ,
opinion on the constitutional question: | surprised
the acD tlat Virginia st remained profoundly silent 4
few there were, who family urged the constitutional oh
l.t,ff H. .f.T.. "