Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1838-06-22

as 10 the debtors TO the Banks IN the Dis
trict Of Columbia, their official stations in
the-Government, &c.
Mr.. SEWER said that for the last ten
years no subject in this country, SO far as his
knowledge extended bad been so completely
exhausted in the way OF argument, and want
of argument, by politicians, by editors, by
smatterers, and by party hacks, as the ever
lasting topic ofbanks and their abuses The
Senate, think, (said Mr.. 81 will bear me
witness, that for that length Of time, at least,
the public have been permitted to think ofbut
little of any thing else. Sir, it has been a
bank fight all the time. Having arraigned,
tried, convicted, and hung by the neck, as a
felon, the Bank Of the United States and
having no other Cesar 10 encounter, we are
now TO be led, il seems into crusade
against the local banks of this District
Yes, sir, upon the question OF rechartering
a half dozen banks in this District, with
capital ofabout million and half of dol
lars, IL seems that we are to have full dis
cussion upon the policy of banking; that
we are TO be entertained with violent har-
rangues about bank gods and bank mon
sters, and bribery and corruption in the
members Of Congress. These are the "raw
heads and bloody bones" the windmills that
we have 10 encounter; and for what P"r
pose ? We are 10 reject the applications
for these charters it is said, or cucumber
them with such onerous conditions that the
ockholders will not accept Of them, in or
der, as we have been told, that we may give
the States Statutory lesson upon the subject
Of banking. Ii is desirable, il is said, TO
make these charters model, an example for
the States to follow. A model an example
for the States 10 folioW! Sir, have any Of
the States solicited our opinions upon this
subject Have any OF them asked US for
models or for examples for them 10 follow ?
Have they asked US TO think for them to
revise, criiicise. and condemn their legisla.
tion2 No, sir; they have asked no such
things al our hands. They want none Of our
advice; for many of them think that we
have already usurped many prerogatives
rightly belonging to them; and, in my opin-
ion they are not disposed TO submit quietly
to any further encroachments upon their
sovereignty by US. 1t is possible that some
Of the States may be SO con6ding, so tame,
and submissive. as to follow implicitly the
advice and orders promulgated by their
Senators from this Chamber. But think
that lean answer for one little gallant State,
who carries the game cock, among other ad-
vices, upon her coat of arms, that she will
never submit to any such arrogance or urs-
urpation she will never SO far degrade her
self as 10 permit the Senators. with impuni-
'ty, 10 criticise revise, or condemn her leg
isla,ion. She wants no advice, or models,
or examples. from her servants. She her
self will Judge OF the propriety Of her own
legislative action, Admit that the States
have acted indscreetly. does it become US,
who are their creatures, TO haunt them for
their mislorlunes, or chide them for their
want OF wisdom2 No, sir; l, for one am
for shaping my legislation here TO cores
pond TO the opinions and wishes of my Stale,
so far as understand them | am not for
scalping andtomahaw king the local banking
institutions. On the contrary, am for fos-
tering and protecting them as far ms a gen.
erous, liberal policy may dictate do this
that the States may fully understand that we
are not only not hostile, but are friendly to
their banking institutions. | do this sir to
heal the breaches tina, have been made in
dence 10 the public estimation; and, more
than ALL as believe the true policy and in
terest of the country depend upon it, | do
this 10 preserve the ascendancy of the de-
mocracy OF the country believe, sir, that
the false impression in the public mind, that
we are hostile to the local banks, has been
mainly the cause of our late political disas-
tiers. We have been beaten in nearly every
quarter. Whole States have left us. And
! if this false impression is still entertained,
consider that we have Witnessed not the end
but the beginning of our defeats. These are
my Impressions good, of course, only for
what they are worth To see our party once
more united. to see them again victorious, |
am prepared to make any sacrifice short oil
principle, of duty, and of honor.
The Senator from Ohio has introduced
his string of resolutions which am now
considering, with the double view of destroy.
ing the banks and Of proving that the friends
of those institutions have been bribed into
their support of them. Yes, sir, bribed :
bri6ed into their support of them, He wish
es to conceal from the people his unconquer
able hostility to these banks, and his effort:
for their destruction, by artlully raising q
hue and cry against the members Of Con
gress and officers of the Government. He
seems to take it for granted that no man can
vote for bank charter without bride
He seems to think that patriotism, that dis
interested action, on such subject, is mere
gull trap. popular catch, ghost story tha
may serve the valuable purpose of amusing
old women and quoting little children
For myself sir, have no confidence in such
unjust, ungenerous, and foul suspicious
entertain more exalted opinion of my as
soc iatas in this bodv. and if wished N