Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-06-22
fBy hsgue.i # IA. II. E.qJ y
srEEcu on SoHN c. CALHOUN,

IN THE U. 8. SENATE,
Delivered MaF-h "a, 1854,
The 9uesfiOR being upon granting Eeavs
10 Mr.. WEBSTER 10 iRfroduce info
tie Senate 6iH 10 1e-ekarfer. for the
term Of sIr yeavs, the Bank of the u.
STATES, tC'th modi feafiOns.
! rise, said AlF. CAUCUS, in order 10 avail
myself of an eariy oPPosIuOity 10 express ny
oP's'ioa on the measures proposed By the Sc
haioT from Massachusetts,. and the questions
Immediately Connected " Ith u, % The ground
that, on . subject 30 immediately connected
with the interest Of ever class IN the eOmmu-
nifty. there should be an early declaration OF
their sentiments BY the members Of this body,
30 that all might know what 10 expect, and on
What to calculate.
I shall vote for the motion Of the Senator,
not because I approve Of the measure ho pro-
poses. but because consider IL due. IN eourts-
az, 10 grant leave, unless there be strong rea-
soas to the contrary, which IL not The case 10
this Instance but whilo I am prepared 90
vote for his motion, and. let me add, TO do
ample justice 10 hts motives for introducing
the biii, cannot approve Of the measure he
proposes. Ia every view which have been
able 10 take, 1t IS Objectionable. Among the
objections, place the uncertainty as TO its
object. ID - left perfectly open 60 eoniec-
ture. whether = reneWal Of the charter Is in
tended, or a mere continuanee, with the view
81 sflordiRg tie Bank time TO wind up lis af-
fairs and what incrc sscs the uncertainty Is,
II We eomPsFe the provisions Of he proposed
ball With the one or the other Of these objects,
il Is equally unsuied TO either. n q renewal
Of the charter be intended, six ysars Il too
shOTti II q continuance, too long. !, however,
state ihis ~ a mere minor objection. Theirs
Il another % far more decisive character, q
settles nothing. il leaves every thing unfxed
Il peFpstuates the present struggle which so
lnjurlonsly agitstes the c0uutry-a struggle Of
Bank against BAnk-Of cue set Of opinions
against another; and ProiOnEs he whole,
without even an Intervening aFmistics, 70
the year 1912: period that covers two Pre-
sldeniiai terms, aud, BY inevitable ennseqOe0-
ees, running, Tor two successive Presidents.
elections, the politics Of The country into the
Bank question, and The Bank question into
politics, with the mutual corruption which
must be engeDdsred and, during the Wheels
period. keeping the currency Of the country,
which the public interest requires should have
the utmost stability, in stats Of uBosrtainty
! apd huetuation.
But Why should pursue The Objeelioos "a
! the plan proposed By ths Senator from Massa-
NNaAH=AAa WI NNMlAENsl aAN MtAAeEM NNs
knoVledgrs the measurs % Be defective, and
thst be WVuid prefer one Of more psFma-
nsnf character. Hs hes rot proposed this a.
] ne best measure, but has brought e forward
upder . supposed neeessity-Undeg the I'm
preston that something must BE- doas--soms.
thing prompt end Immediate. 70 relieve the
existing distress Shich overspFeads the Land
7 eeacsg With hia ~ felstisn - the Distress,
that Il is deep snd extensive, that u fell upoa
us suddenly. and % ths midst Of prosperity
almost unesamplsd that u V daily consign.
I ing hundreds 70 poverty and misery blasting
Ne hops 81 TIE enierprising taking employ.
] meet snd breed from Che laborsr, snd Eorkins
fearful change b. TIE relative condition Of
the moneyed msn and ibe money dealer on
one side, snd The msn ~ business end the mar
! q pTppeTty on the other taxing up thg Tor.
meF rupidiy TO the top Of the Wheel whist II
Il whiriing TIE latter. with equal rnpidny, %
Ire botinm while : ihus nrrso aifh Ne S.
naiof ~ % ne distress. : an aito 'senaibie
that there ere great public smergsBciss ia
ahich no permanent relief cen BE- ahofted
md when the uisest are obliged 30 resort %
expedishis, 10 psliiate end - tsmpoftze, IN
/ order % gain iima wiih g view 90 appiy 4
nfoFa saeeiual remedy. Bot Tiers ere aiso
emergencies u precisely he opposite char.
! scter; when TIE bsst anf mosi pssmansni }.
ihs oaly praoticai measure, end whss mers
eapsdieuis teni but % distract, % digifs end
ouafound, and thereby % deiay % defesi all
fsiisf end such. Waved N ~ BE- felaiionl
md bsariuE. : eonsideF The pressn; and that
ne 8enator from Massachusetts, haa not eiso
eonasiefud "a, 7 afiribnts % ne fact ihsi, ol
Ne fEo q'issli0ns blended On ne subieci uidss
/ cunsiierafion, BE- hes given 81 undue pTomi.
neuce 10 that uhirh haa b faF ne ieasi rals.
i've imgpFianes . mean iha qnestioaa ~ Ne
Bank aud ~ TIE cuTFeBeY. AZ q mere bank
qHesiion, 81 viewed b lhe Senator, 4 wouid
BE- q a,aiisf q hn Htile imroriaucs, whether
ne fsu8Wai shouid b. fur an years ~ 90 q
longer period anf q preforsuee nighi vsry
properly b given % oao ~ ne ether o. 4
might - rupposed most likely 20 succeed
but eat ssy, hat 81 ny opinion. ~ select
lng ~ period q elk yeaFs, be hes tskaa ihsl
/ ah,ch will 30 riuch iess likely % succesd fazn
ore ~ q Fassoaabie snf proper fuTaiiop--.
1ul has be turned his visw % ne cher end
mora prominent quasiion Involved had Ne
regas4sd faa questioa e. que1iion 81 eagFsa-