The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-07-20
IRON fHE RICHMOND WHO.
40 Henry Clay, Esq.-LErrER H..

proposed TO invite your attention, you will
naturally expect ne to assign the first place
IN order and Importance, to that which is
" hrsl and last and midst" in the minds of
men. speak, of course, Of Bank of the
United States. Its claim to this distinction
must be admitted, though, by me, reluc,
'ahiiy. do not deny IFS Importance, whe,h.
or as presenting question of political
economy; Of mere fiscal convenience !; OF
constitutional law; or of political phlloso.
ply. 10 each Of these aspects, ii is a sub
Ject of high Interest. But as an element 10
this discussion, IL is Of little moment. To
say this; and TO explain how II IS, that,
with my conviction of ITS unconstitutional
~, and mlschIevous political tendencies
strengthened by time aud experience, am
yet disposed 10 pass il by, Is my purpose in
advertIng TO it here. Whenever called 10.
TO discussion, It must be a theme of never.
ending strife between me aud its advocates.
Bot It Is not ~ a spirit Of strife that | ad.
dress myself TO You, and | would therefore
remove IT frem between US. 1t Is like the
tabled shield Of gold and silver. 1t has two
faces. You look on one on The other.
Let US not dispute about II, but bear with
me candidly, pray you, While | invite you,
Tor moment, to change with me our points
Of view. Even this do reluctantly : but
the dsiempered condition of the pubic
mind demands IT.
You may, perhaps, doubt the sincerity of
one, who, protesting to be strict States
Right man, Of The Anl.Bank school, ap
pfoaches the subject IN this quiet temper.
But what right have TO press It upon you
particularly Where IS the man Of light
and leading among US, to whose principles
we might look as a security against the IN
cerporatlnn Of a new Bank of the United
States ? Is Martin Van Buren that man
" hat are his principles Who knows
them Shall we find them IN the history
Of the Missouri restrcnctIon, AMI the Cum
b~rlaud Turnpike gates Shall We find
them IN his readiness to discover IN the
Constitution an authority TO do whatever
men 10 power may want TO do, and con.
venIent prohibition TO do whatever they
may happen 10 waat not to do /! Maintain
ing, as YOU do, Sir, the construction put BY
the Supreme Court, an the words "neces.
sary and proper" would YOU not blush to
contend with his parasites (d) that thai which
IS altogether constitutional when Congress
chooses TO do ii, is palpabIy aud grossly IN.
constitutional, aud that to contend for the
contrary, Is damnablc heresy, so soon a.
Congress chooses not TO do It: that pre-.
clsely such a Bunk as Andrew jackson
might have thought necessary and proper,
would have been constitutional, aud that
any other imaginable bank was unconstllu
tonal! To such politicians, The Constltu
ton is " hat The Bible rs 10 deyout Catho
hes Just what Popes and Councils make
1t. IL this be principle, Mr.. Van Buren,
may have something about him deserving
the name but the value Of such principles
as security for the rights Of a majority,
am at loss to discover.
And here, Sir, permit me TO say tina: it
Is only IN tins point Of view consider the
sacred and lmmuiabIe character Of the Con
stituton as thing of very great political
Importance. | have small respect for the
scruples Of him who aabltualiy stlckles for
literal construction IN regard TO parlcu.
lars 10 which the Constitution might be
changed, without IN the least affecting the
rights or interests OF any man. As "a regu.
laior of the operations OF the Government,
as a mere guide in the exercise of IFS &C.
knowledged powers, il prescribes nothing,
that might not, as WELL have been lett 10
be moulded BY the Government itself &C
eordng TO experience Of lis necessities and
convenience. As safeguard of the rights
of miaorlues, as a measure of the extent, to
which they have given their consent TO be
bound by the will Of a majority without
which consent, on the principles of our in
st;utious, they would not be bound at all -
here 1t is that the nvlolable sanctuary of
the Constitution IS important. To US, who
are, BY our position, doomed 10 be ever in
a minority, Il is our sole security. To US,
II is the charter OF our rights our place OF
refuge the ark of cur salvation. To anoth
er part ofthe Union IT is but an instrument
Of rule. They know its value as such. To
them It is wealth aud prosperity. To us /,
is but security. To them It is Commerce,
and Manufactures, and Focks and Herds
iunumerable. To us II is but the one Eve
Lamb, which vas the poor mans all
They who administer i, for their advantage
and profit, may see no reason Why II might
not change with circumstances and coca.
Sions To US II only promises security, and
for us il must be immutable, or II is nothing,
Others can never know It's value to those 10
whom i, affords nothing else but u pledge
of safety TO the ilttle it has not taken away