The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-23
From a. Richmond Esquir1,
VIEWS AT WASHINGTON.

IT
We understand, that some Of the strongest
friends Of the administration, in the House
OF Representatives, are decided against any
such important innovation as the Sub-,rea-
sury specie system, at this time They con-
slider now as the very worst time for digest
ing or introducing It, One Of the members
expresses his preference for The long estab-
lished system, under which the Stale Banks
have been employed as the repositories Of the
Government, over the new, nntried, and, un-
der present circumstances. mischievous pro-
ject Of Sub-treasury scheme. He states,
that this connection was made by the fathers
Of the Political Church; that it has so long
produced security, economy, and simplicity
and how can tho Republicans prudently dis
solve it, at a moment Of panic, commercial
dismay, and national embarrassment An
other says, that he is not prepared 70 con-
denim the Snb-treasury system in the abstract,
though he does not see why, if the revenues
be ever collected in gold and silver, special
dsposife in the banks could not answer the
same purpose, for very small commission,
much more completely than an independent
Government Institution that what he would
dread the most would be, that this plan would
grow into q great political, National Bank,
worse than the late commercial institution
that this. however, is not the time to discuss
its merits--that we must go on to help the
banks out OF the slough into which they have
fallen-for to help them is to help the people
A third says, that whether it would or would
not be wise at different time, when the bu-i
siness Of the country is again restored TO its
accustomed channels, and the currency sound
and healhful, for the Government to devise
machinery by which il should be the keeper
and disburser of its own cash, is a proposition
then to be entertained, If you will. But in
the present exigency, il does not appear wise
to press the question upon Congress and the
country, to be decided on and adopted in the
hurry Of special session, and in the midst Of
divided councils That il is best to leave the
main subject of the currency. and the custody
and disbursement OF the revenue 10 be ADJUST
ed hereafter and upon great deliberation, pro-
Viding, in the mean time. by temporary legis-
lation, for the safety Of the public money;
and that from present indications, he is dis
posed to think this course will be given to
the subject by Congress.
We are happy to discover, however, that
whatever divisions may be among the friends
OF the administration as to the best alternative
to be pursued, they are determined TO bear
and forbear" 10 carry out the discussion in
a courteous and conciliatory spirit and what
ever measure be finally adopted, act on the
Presidents maxim, submit with the best
grace, give to it fair trial, and the best
prospect Of success" We must practice mo-
deration, and keep our ranks united against
the common enemy; the Wings and the Ma
tional Bank. No man is better calculated to
exhibit an example Of good temper and liberal
feeling, which it becomes rs all to initiate,
than Mr.. Van Buren, himself For one, we
hail with sincere satisfaction. the sentiments
which an enlightened correspondent of the
N. Y. Evening Post ascribes to him-that
although we have differed from him, his con-
fdence and respect remain the same-that
= error Of opinion may be tolerated, where
reason is left free to combat it"-and that it
has been often his lot to differ with his best
friends. We cordially reciprocate the noble
sentiments.