Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1838-02-22
rwENTY-FsFrH CONGEEss,



York is opinion. AIR. that there are only
three courses open TO u.s., We must. be
urges, either adopt this measure. or re-
turn 10 syste,a VI deposi,es with the
State Banks, or establish q National
Bank. Nos, cir. suppose this 10 be as
the gentleman states. then, say, that
either Of the olhess Is better than tins.
| would prefer doing almost any thing,
and | would vastly prefer DOING no.
thing. To taking this ball.
laced not conceal my oan opinions;
am ia favor of National Institution.
with such provisions aEd securities As
Congress ,nay thing proper, 10 guard
against abuse. But the honorable
'nember dispose OF tbs at once. by the
deeiAl alton, Tia, be himself can never
consent 10 Bank, being utterly op-
posed to At. both on Constitutional
grounds, and grounds OF expediency.
The genlleman's opinion, SIR, always
respected, is certainly Of grco, weight
and importance, IRON the public Si,ua-
ton he occupies. Yut although these
are his opinions. is il Certain that una
Joniy OF the People ofihe Country agree
with him in this particular; think
not. | verify believe majority orthe
People Of the United States are. now.
OF the oPiuion, that National Bank.
properly constituted. limited. and
guarded. is both constitutional. and ex-
pedient, and ought Dow 10 be establish
ed. So lar as can learn three fourihs
OF the Western People are forit. Their
Representatives here can form better
judgment; but such is nv opinion.
upon the bes; information which I can
OBTAIN. The South may be more di-
Nided. or may be against a National
Bank; but, looking. again. 70 the CEN
ire, the North, and the East. and COM
pretending the whole in one view, /
believe the pTcvalen, sentiment is such
Is | have stated.
AZ the last session, great pains were
taken 10 obtain a vote, Of this and the
other House, against Bank, for the
obvious purpose of placing such an in
stitution out Of the list OF remedies. and
so reconciling the People 10 the Sub.
Treasury Scheme. Well, sir. and did
those votes produce any effectI-none
at all. The people did not, and do
not, care a rush for them. never have
seen, or heard, single man who paid
the slightest respect TO these votes Of
ours. The honorable member. to-day,
opposed as he is 10 a Bank, has not
even alluded to them. So entirely
vain Is IL, sir. in this country, TO aitemp,
TO ioreStall, commit or coerce the pub
lic judgment. Allthese resolutions fell
perfectly dead on the tables Of the two
Houses. We may resolve what we
please, and resolve it when we please,
but IL the People do not like it, at their
own good pleasure they will rescin6 j.;
and they are not likely to continue their
APPRECIATION long, 10 any sy stem Of mea-
SPIES, however plausible, which tcrmi.
mates ia deep disappcintmentof all their
hopes Tor their own prosperity.
l have said, sir. that ia preference
10 The Bi.l, ! would try some modifca-
lion of the State Bank system; and |
will cheerfully do so. although every
body knows that always opposed that
system. Still, think II less objection.
able than this. Mr.. President, in nv
opinion, the real source OF the evil, lies
in the tone. and spirit. and general
feeling which have pervaded The Ad-
mintstratIon for some years past. We
rily believe the origin is there. That
spirit. / fully believe. has been deeply
antl-commercial, and Of late decidedly
uniriendly TO the State institutions. Do
The leading presses, in favor Of the Ad-
minIsiration, speak lis own sentiments
IL you think they do, then look at the
language and spirit Of those presses
Do they not manifest an unceasing and
bitter hostility TO The mercantile classes
and 10 the institutions Of the States p
] certainly never supposed the State
Backs fl agents for furnishing or regu-
lIiing a national currency; but | have
thought them useful ia :heir proper pla-
ces. ~ any rate. the States had power
TO establish them, and have established
them, and We have no right 10 endea.
vor 10 destroy them. How is il then.
that generally, every leading Press,
which supports the Administration.
joins IN the general cry against these
Institutions Of the States How is il.
# iibe not that spirit, hostile to those
institutions. has come TO peryade the
Administration itself,
In my opinion, the State Banks on
every ground, demand other reatment;
and the interest Of the country REQUIRES
that they should receive other treat
ment. The government has used them.
and why should itnow not ouly descrt,
but abuse them; That some Of the Sc.
lecied Banks have behaved very IN.
worthy, IS no doubt true. The best
behaviour is not always 90 be expected
from Pets. Bot that the Banks, gene
rally, deserved this unres,rained war
fare upon them, at the hands Of 90
vernmeLi, ! cannot believe. II APP
pears 10 me both ungratefnl and un-
Just.
The Banks. sir, are now making an
effort, which I hope may be success
iul, 10 resume specie payments. The
process Of resumption works and must