Southern marksman. [volume] (Clinton, Miss.) 1838-1839, 1838-12-25
PREsIDETs MESSAGE,
IcoNCLUDRD.I

rerience has shown on which side that in
iluence will be arrayed. We deceive
ourselves if we suppose it viii ever be
found asserting and supporting the rights
of the community at large, IN opposition
70 the claims of the few.
The whole subject now rest with you,
and cannot but express hope that some
definite measure will be adopted ct the
present session.
Ii will not am sure, be deemed out of
Mace, for me here to remark, that the dec
Iaration of my views in opposition TO the
policy of employing banks as the deposit
cries of the government funds, cannot
ustly be construed as Indicative of hos
tility, official or personal. TO those instilu~
tons; or to repeat, in this form, and in
connection with this subject, opinions
4 which have uniformly entertained, and
on all proper occasions expressed. Though
4 always opposed to their creation in the
form Of exclusive privileges, and as a state
magistrate, aiming by appropriate legisla-
lion TO secure the community against the
i consequences CT their occasional msman
sgemcnt. have yet never wished 10 sec
ihem protected in the exercise Of rights
conferred by law. and have never doubt
ed their utility when properly managed,
in promoting the interes OF trade, and
through that channel, the other interests
i of the community. TO the general gov
ernment they present themselves merely
as state, having no necessary connection
with its legislation or lis administration.
Like other stale es Adjustments, they may
be used or not in conducting the affairs OF
the government as public policy and gen
eral interests of the union may seem 10
require The only safe or proper princi-
pie upon which their intercourse with The
Government can be regulated, is that
which regulates their intercourse with the
private citizen, the comforting Of mutual
benefits. When the government can ac-
comphsh financial operation better wiif
the aid Of the banks than without, /, Shout,
be at liberty to seek that aid as it woul,
the services OF private banker or oiheI
capitalists agents, giving the preference
10 those Who will serve 1t on the best terms
Nor can there ever exist an interest il
] the officers of the general government, a
such, indhcing them 10 e:nbarraSs or an
E..
cur the hostility of any other class OF state
institutions or of private citizens. 1t !
not in the nature OF things, that hostlit,
TO those institutions can spiing from TIN
source: or any opposition to heir eours
of business. except when they themseITe
depart from The objects of their creation
and attempt to usurp powers not conferre
upon them, or TO subvert the standard {
value established BY the constitution =
While opposition to their regular opera
lions cannot exist in this quarter, resist
ance 20 any attempt to make the govern
ment dependent upon them for the sue
cessful administration of public affairs
is matter of duty, as trust IL viii eve
I've Of inclination. no matter from what con
sideratiCn or motive the attempt ma.
V,ginaie.
In a Government whose distinguish
equalization of its benefits and burdens
the advantage of individuals will be aug
Inented at the expense of the mnss of tn
people. Nor is it the nature Of combine
rions for the acquisition Of legislative in
fuence 10 confine their interference 10 IN
single object to which they were original!
formed The temptation TO extend it
other matters, is on the contrary, not III
ttequently too strong to be resisted
The influence, in the direction of publ
affairs Of the community al large is Their
fore, in no slight danger of being sens
bly, and injuriousIy affected by giving, TO
comparatively small, but very efficier
class, direct and exclusively personal in
n terest in so important a portion OF tn
legislation of Congress as that which re
lates TO the CUSTODY of the public money
If laws acting upon private interests car
not always be avoided, they should be col
fined within the narrowest limits, and lie
wherever possible, to the legislatures {
the State When not thus restricted, the
lead to combinations of powerful asso c
atoms, foster an influence necessarily sci
fish and turn the fair course of legislatio
to sinister ends, rather than to objects tha
advance public liberty, and promote tn
general good.
tits no more than justice to the banks
say, that in the late emergency, most {
them strongly resisted the strongest tenn
tation to extend their paper issues, whe
apparently sustained in suspension I
specie pay nts by public opinion, eve
d, A9,me cases invited by Legislative
a. III To this honorable cours'
N 9ippi resistance of the generI
~ pok acting in obedience to tn
~ oIh and laws of the United 5 ate
N ABDUCTION of an irredeemab
y kunl, may be attributed, III
4 ia nS4he enpedy restoration of OF