Canton herald., 1837-10-20
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Jrced. al THIS late period OF the can
r,ss 10 present myself before you, as
a candidate 10 represent you m the
Congress Of the United States. With
some sacrifice of personallnterest, and
more to crafty the wishes OF friends,
who believe my humble, but honest ef-
forts may promote the success Of our
political principles, than from any as.
pirations Of my own, have consented
TO place nv name before you.
The attitude have assumed, de-
mand, ofme a frank avowal Of my po-
Iitiral sentiments, on the subjects
which now agltate the country. and /
shall endegvor to give it in as concise
a manner as possible.
In tho present state of pecunlary
distress, the minds of all are directed
to some mode of relief; and in my O.
piaion, the establishment of a Ma
.TIONAL, RANK, is the best means
10 ensure ii.
Some of my political friends differ
from me as to the constltutlonallty OF
4 National Bank. They honestly en-
tertaiu the opinion that Congress does
not possess the power, under the con
stitution, to create such an institu-
ton. For such opinions, have great
respect. once entertained scrupleS
en- that subject myself; and to remove
the doubts of all. | would gladly see
the constitution, so amended as to
give that power, in clear and express
terms. But, if the acquiescence of
the People, at different periods OF
the Government; if the opinions of
able expouuders of the Constitution,
are to have any weight with us, it
seems clear to my mind, that the ques-
ton is settled in favor of the constitu-
tionality of National Bank. | am
fully satisfied of its copstitutionality
of its usefulness, expediency, and ne
cessity, ! never had a doubt, and if
elected, | will unhesitatingly vote for
the creation of a NATIONAL BANK. it
should differ in some respects from the
old United States Bank, 1t should
not hold rRal estate; nor should for
eigpers be capable, directly or indi-
rectly, to hold stock in it.
Such en- institution, believe, would
afford a sound and uniform currency
to the whole nation; restore conf.
dence in moneyed transactions: give
permanency to the price Of property
and labor; and prevent disastrous
fluctuations in tho affairs Of the peo-
rIe, and the Government. am of
opinion, that State Banks cannot effect
these obiaots. believe that State
Banks, we'll regulated, answer valuable
local purposes; but that they are in
capable of ahording a uniform curren-
cy, does not, in my mind, admit, a
Goubr. And even those who once
held up to the People of the United
States, as the proper instruments for
the collection, disbursement, and safe.
keeping Of the revenue of the Govern
meEt, POW abandon them. The Sub.
treasury systom is, in my opihion,
only ore link more in that chain
Of rulnous experiments" which have
plunged The country into unparalleled
distress. An exclusive metallic cur
renoy ought not, cannot, be introdu-
ced into commercial and onterpri.
sing community. Commere oonnot
be carried oa with a currency so un-
wieldly. The scarcity, if not the pom
derous quality Of gold and silver, pre-
cIudes the idea of such a currency.
1t was expected that some measures
Tor the relief Of the country won d be
recommended to Congress by the Ex-
ecutlve. His friends assured us that
something would be done. But, in.
deed, we are unfeelingIy told by the
Executive, that our distress has been
brought upon us by our own impru-
dencc; that the Government can give
no relief; nor can the President slSug-
gest to Congress any special plan for
regulating the exchanges of the coun-
try; relieving mercantile embarrass.
ments; OF interfering with the ordi-
nary operations fforeign or domestic
commences" because .'such measures
are not within the constitutional nro.
vince OF the Government" We are.
'hen, to expect nothing from that
source. We are told that the Gov.
ernment must take care of ITSELF. and
the people must take care of themselves
And instead of falling back into the
beaten track, and adopting some mea,
sure, proven by experience to be safe
the untried scheme of the Sab.reasn'
res, is recommended. The Govern.
ment, Too, Is to receive i,s dues in the
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