Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1838-11-10
FoR THE Democrat.

Some time last summer, the question was asked
and answered aihrma,ivey, that Mr.. Jefferson
was considered good authority" and as the same
great questions which agtaed the country in Ihe
days of the sage of Monticello have arisen, to di-
vide the parties of the day; and further, as 1t
is no less true in politics than philosophy, that al
though men change, principles neper do, therefore
argue. that if the Republicans of that day, who
lived nearer the constitution than we do, considered
those principles the .rue faith, it hehooves Us to
weigh and reflect before such sentiments, so sup
ported, are rejected and here offer the opinions Of
this great man in his own day.
The hypothesis of the Republicans oF 9S was,
that a National Bank was unconstitutional, and
whatever differences of opinion existed as 10 its er-
pediency, the barrier Of the constitution could not
| be surmountrd, and therefore the Bank charter was
rejected in 1871.
In 1903, Mr. jefferson wrote to Mr. Galatin as
follows: [Vd, jeff. Memoirs, vol. 4, page 70.
This institution is one of the most deadly hos
tily existing against the principles and form of our
constitution The nation is, at this time, SO strong
and united in its sentiments that it canno, be shak-
en- at this moment. But suppose a series Of unto
ward events should occur sufficient to bring into
doubt the competency Of Republican government
10 meet n crisis Of great danger or to unhnge the
confidence in the public func,ionaries an institu-
ton like this penetrating by its branches every part
OF the Union, acting by command and in phalanX,
may, in critical moment upset the government !
deem no government safe which is under The vaSsa-
age Of any seconSttuted authorities, or any other
authority than that OF the nation. or its regular
iunctionares. VIVA; an obstruction could rot dis
Bank OF the United States, with ITS branch banks,
= be in time OF war Il might dictate TO us the
peace we should accept or withdraw It's aid. Ourhi
we then to give further growth to an institution So
powerful, 81 hostile Tha! il is so hostile w4 kno,y
ISL nom E"owIedr Of the principles Of the persons
COMPOSING the holy of Directors in every bank,
d principal and branch; and those of most Of the
+ Stnckhoder 2nd. from their opposition 10 the mea
sures and principles ot the government and To the
election OF those Tread /, them; and 81. from the
sentiments ol the newspapers they support. Now,
while we are strong il is the greatest duty we owe
l. 10 the safety OF our constitution To bring tins pnw
erlul enemy To perfect subordnaon under It's au.
/. ,hcritles. The first measure would be 10 reduce
n them TO an equa. faelng with other banks as ia
:, the iavOrs Of the government.
:, But in order TO be able to meet general com.
- binaton OF the Banks against Us, in critical emer
~ gency there follows his project of an Ipd,pendeul
!" IrCGsmyl "could we not make BEGINNING to
re wards an independent use of our own money "a
at wards heAdng our own bank in all the deposits wher,
IS received and letting the Treasurer CIV. his draft n
a. a"te for payment al any particular place, which !,
10 any well conducted government ought to have n
=, much credit as any private draft, or bank note. n
bill. and would give US the same facilities which ~,
derive from tho Bank :"
Comment IS unnecessary, and mus, request III
Argus 10 repnhliSh this for the sake of the n,
school doctrines OF 1898, and for the sake of TN
Jr'ends OF JEFFERSON.
I'd
ct Let the Federais,s 90 on +, let them revive HI
to Outcry about plodigal expendlnres-but at IN
same time let the people recotlect tina, the ex
travagance of the appropriations made BY Con
gress IS Of Federal origin, and that the vas, ex
\. pendtureS, in suPpressing Indian hostiles, wer
y made necessary by Federal sympathy for sava
n ees, and Federal hostility to the people and lei
tree institutions. LouiSvsll, .ldss-i,s.y.