The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-14
PUBLIC MEETING
Of portion Of The people Of Tie County Of ABemare
Rirgtnia

On last Monday, that being Court day, and
there being very large assemblage of the
people present, Major James Garland, the
present representative in Congress from the
district, of which this county conposes part,
addressed the people After he had conclud-
ed his speech, Col. George W. Kinsolving
proposed 70 organize meeting Of the people,
so as to obtain an expression Of their opinions,
upon the great question Of the state Of the
currency, which is at this time Of such vital
interest to the community. He called Henry
White to tho chair, and upon the motion Of
Shelton F. Ieake, George Carr was appoint
ed Secretary. The meeting being organised,
upon motion, the chair appointed committee,
consisting Of Shelton F. Leake, Thomas w.
Gooch, Garrett White, +. w. Mauray, G..
w. Kinsolsing, John Morris, j. H. Craven,
X. D. Simms, James E. Chapman, Rodes
Goodman, Robert b. Mills, S. c. Sneed, ]. p.
Sampson and John Douglas, to draft and re-
port preamble and resolutions, for the con.
sideration Of the meeting. The committee,
after having retired, returned and reported the
following preamble and resolutions, which
were adopted
Whereas, it is both the right and the duty
of a free people to express their opinions on
public affairs; and it is especially incumbent
on them to do so, when innovations are pro-
posed in their laws and usages, which threat
en- their liberties and highest interests with
danger; and, whereas, the people Of Abe
marie, here assembled, friendly to the election
OF the present Chief Magistrate Of the Union,
cannot but regard with the most serious APP
prehensions the scheme proposed for conduct
natl n
a system disapproved by our republican an
cestors, and which is justified only by prece-
dents drawn from Imperial Rome and the
kingdoms Of Europe
lst. Resoloed, Therefore, as the sense of
this meeting, that we view the Sub-Treasury
scheme now, as it was viewed by us, in COM
mon with the great body of our political
brethren in 1884, as anti-republican in lis
character, dangerous and demoralising in its
tendencies, "enlarging the influence and pat
ronage Of the Executive, and placing in its
hands the means of corruption.
I'd. Resolred, That believing common
interest between the governors and governed
fundamental maxim Of free institutions =
and that the most efectual means Of restrain
ing the former from oppression is to make
them feel and participate the burdens of the
latter" we regard the establishment of one
currency for the Government and another for
the people, as alike oppressive in practice,
and despotic in principle.
Sd. Resolued, That war upon the credit
institutions Of the States by the policy Of the
General Government, is Inconsistent with
the independence and rights Of the States,
and the obligations of our Federative COM
pact, and in the present instance, if persisted
in, threatens the most serious consequences
to every class Of the community ; the farmer,
the mechanic, the tradesman, and the mer-
chant.
4th RESOLVED, That we consider mixed
currency, consisting of the precious metals
for ordinary transactions, and sound paper
medium, equivalent to specie, for larger ope-
rations and commercial uses, that form of
currency the best adapted to the wants of the
country; the most congenial with the habits
and interests Of the people, and uniting, in
the highest degree, the requisites Of safety
and convenience, and that on this subject
we heartily approve the sentiments expressed
by our republican Governor, and the policy
advocated and sustained by our Senator in
Congregation. w. G. Rives-and our
Representative from this district-Hon. Jas.
Garland.
5th. Resolued, That wise and progressive
reform in the State banking system which
shall secure the above mentioned results, and
not the total overthrow and destruction of that
system, is, in our opinion, the true policy and
approved creed Of the republican party and to
force the country back now to an erclusioe
metallic currency would cripple all its energies
and enterprise, and operate disastrous revo-
luton in the value of labor and property, and in
the practical effect Of all existing contracts
between man and man.
9th. Resolued, That the Sub-Treasury
scheme having been rejected by the Repre-
sentatives of the people, at the late session Of
Congress, we are persuaded that the Presi-
dent, as a republican chief magistrate, will
acquiesce in that decision, and no longer urge
upon Congress and the people proposition
which can have no other effect than TO divide
the political party by whose votes he was
| elected, and to agitate and alarm the public
mind, at period when confidence and repose
are demanded by the best interests Of the
country.
And, whereas, we have seen with indigna-
ton the simultaneous attacks, by the leading
administration press at Washington, and the
opposition journal at Richmond, on the faith
full representative of this district, and our
county Imam and long-tried public servant, the
Hon. VIM. c. Rives, one of the Senators of
Virginia, in Congress-and, whereas, the ap-
probation of the constituent body is the high
est incentive to, and the just reward Of fidelity
and good conduct on the part of the represent
alive, and it is especially proper that the peo-
pie should come to the encouragement and
support of their faithful public servants, when
assailed and traduced for the honest and indie
pendent discharge Of their duties
Resolued. Therefore. that we recognise in
the conduct of the Hon. VIM. G.. Rives during