Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-02-08
EUR TIE I..N 0GENEl
CONSTITUTIONAL CURRENCY.

This phrase, like many Others Of late, has been intro
duced into the vocabulary Of politicians without having
any definite meaning, which is more objectionable,
giving it meaning not warranted by the words, and at
the same time claiming influence under the assumed
Specification, which, perhaps, truth nigh not justify
Whatever is settled by the Constitution we receive wil
all that submissive reverence, which Is due ~ at hgh
and halowed authority. The phrase Unconstitutional cur
rency" have seen used rs synonymous with gold and
silver with all that pompous, dignfed confidence which
seemed to demand unqualified assent 10 lis truth as
being settled by the Constitution; and the inference
which is designed tn be dcduced from it, is that no other
currency sanctioned by the Constitutions or in other
words, that any other currency which may circulate is
in rioiatOu IF the Constitution This, think, has been
assumed, and IT i, has not, II is the natural conclusion
from the assumption that constitutional currency and
gold and silver synonymous. But Is 1t true, that IL
is unconstitutional u have other currency but gold
and silver; If so, the Constitution has been ramped
under foot by every President from the days OF Washing
ton 10 the present time for have only had pa.
per currency from the foundation Of The Government
among the people, but that currency has been received
by the Government. The discovery, that nothing but
gold and silver is the constitutional currency re.
served 10 the present day-nn f this be discovery Of
the true meaning of the Constitution, Mr. Wright
has proposed in his bill recently laid before the Senate
Of the United States to receive the revenue in uncOnS
rational currency; for that provides that any paper issued
by the Government may be received in payment ct the
Federal rerenues-(Sce sec. -. %, 81.
IL is true that the Constitution Declares that "no
State shall make any thing but gold and silver coin
tender in payment Of debts but this very language,
whilst does not prohibit does any other part Of the
Constitution prohibit the existence Of any other curren
cy, clearly implies that it was antic pated there
would be another currency; but most wisely ii was de-
clared not to be LEGAL tender paper currency not
being inhibited according 10 the universal State Rights
doctrine, is much constitutional currency any
other though not legal tender. The power 10 establish
Bank, and thus create paper currency according 10
my Judgment, granted TO Congress-but the right
Of the Government 10 receive paper of the Stale Banks
cannot be questioned There two Banks in exist
ence before the adoption Of The Constitution (the Bank
OF North America and the Bank Of New York; land if
it had been The intention Of its trainers that nothing bu,
gold and silver to be the constitutional currency,
and the medium for collecting the revenue, they would
have said in plain language. The declaration that
"no State shall make any thing but gold aud silver
coin tender in payment Of debts, is conclusive that
another currency contemplated and that therefore
gold and silver cannot properly be called the only con-
sliiutional currency.
DEMOCRAT AHp STRICT CoSsTRucTIoXlsT.
COMMUNICATED.
Young Lady Washington gave iucrLuou laugh, when
TIE MiR'rH OF DESPAIR.
Az! We smile 10 hear um what sc deem;
That crushed and withered heart, however light ii seem
An that the lGus the JEST the mirih though TccHleSsy they
flow,
Sprins dark turid snurcc and hut disguise woe
u, by Ike these; the life, the
the i-in, that smile would fade away!
The poisonous pl ouk fair those which round spring
Nor know by the taste aiORc, it is cursed thing,
The fruit fcS! when its bloom adorned the tree;
Nor can W., TIL nc rcdri the cure, decay ruin see
Rchm1nd Feb. 81, lSf5. ii. ID. W.