Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-06-19
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.
TUX JHF E-VE1DIRER
TO THE REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

u
Genllemen-In the Enquirer of The lst instant, ad.
dressed you plain thoughts n plain language and
propose now, to submit for your calm consideration
few additional remarks under The hope, that if they
produce ,.o good. they may at least work eri. You
must remember they proceed from friendly quarter
and are intended to be entirely candid.
Why, then, permit me to ask again. have you not set
tied the currency question: More than u months ago.
the banks suspended specie payments and produced
alarm and apprehension throughout the whole Confede-
racy specfal session of Congress called In deli.
berata on the unpleasant situation Of affairs political nd
pecunary and to provide remedy for The relief Of
the Government and Of The People The Sub Treasury
scheme was recommended by the President, and bill
providing for its establishment reported by
m.ee Of the Senate. To this bill, Mr. Rives offered
substitute providing for the retention of the State bn nks
az the cheaper and slfer repositories Of lie public funds
long and able, and animated discussion continued npon
the merits of the bill and substitute for nearly the whole
of the Extra Session. involving in lis almost boundiess
range complete research into the complicated labyrinth
of the currency and Of the of the wide spread
commercial pvuson, which had very inurously affected
every class and every business of The community The
substitute was rejected in the Senate, and the bill was
lost in The House of Representatives
Panic and distress pervaded the whole nation, and at
each successive election whole States con-
yovinr in masses against the favorite measure OF the
Administrations In this Stale of things the present
sion Of CONGRESS commenced, and Mr.. Van Buren, re-
newed his recommendation OF the SubTreesury. Again
Mr. Wrchts Bill and Mr.. Rvess Substitute modified
n presented
most elaboratey and ably discussed. The substitute was
again rejected and the hill upon the motion of dsIin
pushed member from Virginia, sopmny laid upon the
table and as most rvently hoped forever put TO rest
in the House Of Representatives., Another BILL howe
YER was soon after reported by Mr. Cainbreleng, chair
man Of the committee Of ways ard means, which yet
remains 10 be disposed of in The onse Of Represents.
ives But it is almost positively certain, that 1t cannot
pass through the House, ond even it contrary to all CAL
cualion and expectation it were TO he DONE neverthe-
less its very heart and sou The specie feature, would be
stricken out in the Senate, pursuant 10 the reco rdPd
Judgment Of that body and without it, all must admit,
The bill would be the hull of law-he mere car
case of dead Lion.
Why then is it, beg to know, tina, after nearly two
sessions OF Congress have been consumed in frutess
debate upon this Subject and after the solemn judgment
of both Houses of Congress we'll against the subsll.
tulc the BILL the advocates of neither scheme Will
Weld an inch of ground 10 compromise and settle it?-
You to have taken your stands upon the Sub rea
sury and the general Deposte schemes and to maintain
your positions with the determined relentless and
stubborn obsnacy. Have yon forgotten that you are
but the representatives. of suffering people, and bound
by the most commanding considerations 10 afford them
instant and complete relief? Did they send you to
Washington to engage in personal chickering's, and 10 in
duge yourselves in the undgnhed practice OF crInI.
nation and recrmination? Or did they not rather elect
Won as patriots and statesmen, and commit TO your
charge the noble and honorable and responsible work
of legislation under the impression that you would ele
vae yourselves above all selfish and personal consdera
tons and consult alone the interest OF your constu-
en,s and your couny in all your representative acts =
If so, why you playing the part of pollti-
cal comba,as, seeking to destroy other, than
to promoe the good of your country / assure you,
tina, while the people have been very foIbenrng their
patience is becoming every day more and more thread
bare. They have endured the evils OF deranged cur
rency and suspension of specie payments thus far,
with all becoming submission because they have been
constantly expecting relief through your agency
Will you then dsap poin. them and break the conf
dence which they have so generously rePosed in
your virtue, intelligence, liberali,y and wisdom p
And will you, by pursuing the course OF madme en-
ultro measure, OF finance, when scheme for c"mpro
mise is at hand, which will most happily accomplish
your Objects soohe your anmos'ies and restore conn
deuce and quietude to suffering people? Do you mean
10 meek the anguish Of your counrymenD refusing 10