The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-13
REMARKS OF
MIR. TALLMADG e ,

MR.. TALLMADGE
IN detenee Of nc People Of Nee York, against LAs
Charge Of Bank Influence IN nc result Of their
Election.
Delivered in the Senate Of the Y. 8. Feb 8, 1889,
In reply TO Mr.. HunBARD, Of ~ "A. The Sub
treasury Bill being under consideration.
Mn PnEsipENr-The Senator from New Hamp-
shire (Mr. Hubbard,) who has Just taken his seat,
introduced in the OF his remarks, the subject
Of the late elections. he read WIN appreciation,
that portion Of the Presidents Message which
charged the result of those elections 10 the inter-
ference or the influence Of the Banks; and he un-
denook, by this means TO explain Inc result IN New
York. Sir am not in The habit OF interfering
with the concerns of other States, or OF attempting
10 explain the causes OF political movements in them
But when find one "poaching upon my manor"
and endeayoring To account for matters which be
can but lily comprehend, feel Il my duty 10 inter-
fere.
rise. therefore, not to enter upon the immediate
merits of this SubIreasury scheme but for The sole
purpose Of setting The gentleman and the country
right, upon this allegation OF Bank interference or
Bank influence in the recent election the State Of
New York.
Sir, saw with pain this charge n the Presidents
Message / felt Inundated that il should emanale
from him. felt that the honor OF my native State
was wounded, and that the wound was inflicted by
one of her own sons. Had any other man occupied
the delivery OF The Message containing that unwe-
come and unmerited aSpersion, In repelling IL in
manner and with spirit becoming the OCCASION
But sir The relations which have always existed
between The President and myself rendered The task
OF reluctance and of decacy and bni for the in
PRODUCTION OF II into this debate by the Senator from
New Hampshire, might have submitted 10 the NOR
tihcation OF The charge, from my unwillingness 10
encounter IL from such a source As II has been
thus introduced, will endeavor to show that il has
been made without the slightest possible foundation, &
wholly unusliiable, lei il from what quarter il
may, or lei It's endorsers be whom they may In say
ing this, speak from my own personal knowledge
and observation 10 great extent, and from init
mate acquaintance with the concerns OF the State,
and the causes which influence the minds of her CT
tizens in political matters. Previous TO the extra
session of Congress- when the Globe the reputed
organ OF the administration put forth Gouges Sub
treasury scheme, with his money drawers and hy-
droslatic balance, and all the other paraphernalia
which accompanied il, and seriously recommended
Il 10 The public consideration, il was received and
treated as mere matter OF burlesque-as the dream
Of visionary No one, for single moment sup
posed, that il would ever be brought forward by the
President for the consideration OF Congress. The
whole country was astounded, when the Executive,
at the extra session, did recommend IT, The people
then perceived, that The "unried expedient from
the banks OF the 81, Lawrence had been put forth in
the Official organ, as mere feeler. And with the
characteristic holiness OF all experimeners il was
determined that ii il did not conform 10 the public
pulse, the public pulse should be made to conform
10 IT, To accomplish this there must be no apparent
force nor unnecessary rashnesS. Hence the Exc
cutiye, with great meekness and humility, expressed
his entire Willingness 10 cooperate in any other
measure, II this should not meet the appreciation of
Congress This declaration was received with great
satisfaction by those who foresaw from their know
ledge OF the business wants of the country that such
measure would be destructive of its best interests
They hoped TO be able 10 demonstrate its utter i'm
practcabliIy and inapplicabity TO the state of the
times, and that then The President would cheerfully
unite with them in some plan which would afford
relief TO suffering and almost desperate commun-
IT, II was, however soon perceived, from the per-
tinacity with which this unexpected measure was
urged forward by its advocates that the whole pow
er of executive influence was brought into requsi-
ton in order to force il through in the shortest pos
sibie period, and before the people had time TO deli
berate upon it, or 10 send their circumstances against
project fatal 10 their interests and so destructive
OF their hopes. will not detan the Senate with
history of its progress II is familiar TO us all
Suffice IL to say that the bill passed the Senate, and
was laid on the table in the other House by a deci-
sive vote. This was deemed equivalent TO rejec-
tion of the bill. II could not have been called up
again at this session if il had been desired Many
voted against the State bank depose system, which
was offered as an amendment for the express pur-
pose of killing The bill in It's original shape. Alter
all this, the President, in his next Message, seems
TO think that Congress- at its extra session, made an
expression against a National Bank against the
State banks; but not against the Sub-treasury pro-
ject And as the late elections were carried by bank
influence, he deems those overwhelming expressions
of the popular will as no evidence that the people
are against this wild and visionary scheme He
considers his election as evidence that majority Of
the people of the United States are against Nation
al Bank because he had expressed himself decidedly
hostile 10 such an institution. l am free to admit
that his inference is as fair can be drawn from
popular election where thousand other considera-
lions enter into the canvass. But it cannot be dis
gused that many electors, who we're in favor of
National Bank, always voted for General Jackson,
Notwithstanding his avowed hostility to it, He had
a personal popularity which scarcely any man be-
fore him possessed, and which hope to see no man
hereafter enjoy. Oflen have heard il said by ma
ny that although they disapproved Of his measures
they would still support him. because they believed
him honest, and would not suffer him to be abused
for the honest exercise of his opinions though they
led to the adoption of bad measures Sir this feel
ing was extended to the present Executive in his
election. He was known TO be the favore candi-
date of The late President, and many electors sup
ported him on account of their ancient proposes
sions in favor of General Jackson say then that
the success Of candidate for Office who is for or
against particular measure, is not conclusive evil
dence that the people accord with his views on that
measure.
The State elections in my Judgment were more
conclusive against the Sub Treasury than the Presi-
dents election was against National Bank There
were, undoubtedly, other causes which mingled in
the contest But STILL the expression of the popular
will in every state where an election was held AFTER
this project was first recommended by the Executive
was such as ought to have commanded his respect
and prevented him from again urging measure so
odious TO the people, and if carried out so fatal to
their prosperity.
But, Mr. President, this hard money policy must be
persisted in The Executive had embarked in it,
and he seemed determined that no obstacles should
impede his progress. He therefore, charged all this
oulbreakng of the people to the influence of the
Banks, and considered it evidence Of an honest
opinion against this i'll fated Observation-Disclosures
ing The decisive vote against il in the House OF Re-
resentatives-nowithstan hisdeclared willing
to adopt any sub 'tute for it. is again brought
forward with the same expressed Difference 10 public
opinion and again urged with the same omen con-