The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-09-16
Number I'll.

elgntles' ana tar exceed in amount the real
exchanges OF the United States. There ia
no reason why our own may not be con.
Quoted in the same manner, with ennal
cheapness and safety. Certainly This
might be accomplished, if it were favored
by those most deeply interested and few
can doubt that their own interest. as well
as the general welfare ofthe country. would
be promoted by leaving such subject in
the hands Of those to whom it properlv he
longs. A system founded on private in.
terest, enterprise and competition. without
5ne ana oil Legislative grants or regulations
by law, would rapidly prosper; it would
oe lfee from the influence Of political agi-
tatlon, and extend the same exemption to
trade itself; and it would put an end to
NOSE complaints of neglect, partiality, in
justice and oppression, which are the una.
Yoldable results of interference bv the poy-
ernment In the proper concerns of ipdiyid.
uais' All former attempts on the part of
me government to carry its legislation in
this respect, further than was DESIGNED hv
the constitution, have in the end proved in.
Junous, and have served only to convince
the great body of the people, more and
more, OF the certain dangers of blending
private interests with the operations Of
public business, and there is no reason to
suppose that repetition of them now would
be more successful.
1t cannot be concealed that there exists
IN our community, opinions and feelings
on this subject in direct opposition to each
other A large portion of them, combi.
nIhg great intelligence, activity and influ-
ence, are no doubt sincere in their belief.
mat the operations Of trade ought to be as
sisted by such a connection; tiey regard a
national bank as necessary for this pur-
pose, and they are disincined 10 every
measure that does not tend, sooner or later.
to the establishment of such an institution.
On the other hand, majority of the peo-
pie are believed to be irreconcilably oppo-
sed to that measure; they consider such
concentration of power dangerous to their
liberties; and many of them regard it as
violation of the Constitution. This COLI
sion OF opinion has, doubtless, caused much
OF the embarrassment to which the com.
merclsl transactions of the country have
lately been exposed. Banking has become
political topic Of the highest interest, and
trade has suffered in the conflict of parties.
A speedy termination of this state of things,
however desirable, is scarcely to be expect
ed. We have seen, for nearly half cen,
tury, that those who advocate national
bank, by whatever motive they may be in
fuenced, constitute portion of our com.
munity too numerous to allow us to hope
for an early abandonment of their favorite
plan. On the other hand they must in
deed form. an erroneous estimate of the in
and temper of the American peo-
pie, who suppose that they have continued,
on slight or insufficient grounds, their per-
severing opposition to such an institution,
or that they can be induced, by pecuniary
pressure, or by any other combination of
circumstances, to surrender principles they
have so long and so infexibly maintained.
My own views of the subject are unchanged.
hey have been repeatedly and unreservedy an
lounced to my fellow citizens, who with full kpowl-
dgo OF them, conferred upon me the two highest
'thces of the Government. On the last of these
ccasons felt it due to the people to apprize
hem distinctly that, in the event of my election,
vouldnot be able TO cooperate in the reesablish-
nent ofa national bank. To these sentiments, |
ave only to add the expression Of an increased
onvction, that the re.estabishnent of such bank,
n any form, whilst it would not accomplish the
enehclal purpose promised by its advocates, would
npar the rightful supremacy of the popular WILL
AZURE the character and diminish the influence of
ur political system; and bring once more into OK
tence concentrated moneyed power, hostile to
le spirit, and threatening the permanency Of our
publican institutions.
Local banks have been employed for the depos-
C and the distribution Of the revenue. at all times
lrtaily, and, on three different occasions exclu-
yely: first anterorto the establishment of the first
ank of the United States; secondly, in the inter-
II between the termination of that institution
nd the charter of its successor; and, thirdly during
e limited period which has now so abruptly clo-
de The connection thus repeatedly attempted,
owed unsatisfactory on each successive occasion,
the various measures which were
opted to facilitate or ensure its success On the
It occasion, in the year 1893, the employment Of
c State Banks was guarded especially in every
~ which experience and caution could suggest.
'rsohal security was required for the safe keep
2 and prompt payment of the moneys to be re-
wed, and full returns of their condition were
'm time TO time, to be made by the depositories.
the first stages the measure was eminently sue
ssful, notwithstanding the violent opposition Of
Q Bank of the United States and the unceasing
orts made to overthrow it. The selected banks
hOrmed with fidelity and without any embaF-
ssment to themselves or TO the community, their
gagemonts 70 the government and the systaSn
iaa1 IA ha