Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-09

QSQC "a,
only in corporalions The other chief of the armed
neutrality, The honorable Senator from New York (Mr
Tallmadge0 whom | do not now see IN his place, mas
nlso become alarmed at the "weakness OF human ia
ture the dangerous influence Of The public funds ana
Executive power, in Office, seems 10 have os
turbed the Conservative composure OF his natural npo
slon He has not only expressed his fears OF M IN
Auence eloquent strains of his but has ado 10
them the more soft and touching language CT Poi"y
This influence, he says, comes over us IKE
"The souih, breathing on abed OF VloIets' ,,a
Alarming sir truly alarming Who can hope |" s'ahu
before such influence as this: Inc sofdiu wv
money and the selfish love of office, rthnsu """ w.
the odoriierous breath Of The sweet Sou'h arising ,p
4 bed of flowers am aware, sir, VII" Is me aunv.
IF this poetry; but whoever he may De- h''I'y W., :,
he designed IL for Anti Sub-irsasury sPtec", y
really affords the strongest argument a9"'"'' ~ ~
which its opponents have urgeo , ,,s
But Mr. President, if the arguments oil Inc sen"e
men, derived from The weakness OF human hu'u''' We,
well founded | appeal Ia them tor lhel' 'emsag =,
they dare no, trust Sub.Treasurers-ns they choose ~
cal, all recevinu officers aud all who may nave the Gus
ody or disbursement Of the pubic lrnds-Uecauss "''y
are men pray Sir, what will they 40: ""a' 10 Wv,
scheme for collecting, keeping ana discussing nt p'"u
,evenn., Ir persnns are not safe fiscal agents what VIII
they subs,ues will they substitute corporations, mol
orly for riepos;icria., but for collecting ana osoutsnG
aorn;s All our pass hr 1ngh me names D. 'he
sets of ocers-he receiving Keeping ond discussing Oh
Gcers The receipts of the revenue are al numerous
minnie nm vour extensive commercial seaboard, on The
lakes and your sixty land offices in the extensive re-
sion of Inc West Your disbursements are maoe III d.
mos, every part of ouistretched territory ana 10
the Indian tribes beyond your settlements ana on poa'
If your pubrc ships in foreign countries. We nave
dsbursing officers for the army, the navy. for The or'h
cations and public works. with the Indian tribes, ana
on board public ships.
lf the public officers be safely trusted, because,
under l.x and defective system of laws, some have
proved defaulters, must employ corporations ior al
these various services at home and abroad trt'ahy
there grounds to disrust puphc oniGels aS
nj dIcbu
venue TO accomplish this object, it will become nrcrS
sary to put these corporations wheels as they now
fortunately do not possess the power OF iocomoaoh
And YOU must railroads, SO as to enable them
10 move with CELEBRITY where the ex'gences OF the pubic
service may requre. The troops are TO be paid IN 10
rda; you mus, put respectable bank on wheels,
and send it off to attend 10 that service Annui!ies ore
TO be paid the Indians and some Western bank must
be despatched beyond the settlements for that purpose
But Sir if all this practicable the gentlemen could
get the difficulty, sPringng from the weakness
of human nature. That is very serious difficulty TO
get over Sir; and, have already SAID is fatal TO oil
!ree Government, and TO human liberty But what IS
corporation A abstraction, an ideal, imaginary
being existing in law but not in fact For all we see or
know Of its existence or actions, is OF an association OF
individuals lis actions, although in a legal sense The
Of the corporation, IN reality the acts oil The OF
recors and officers who empowered to control The
corporation They, in fact, the corporation. All
that is gained then in employing corporations as imam
cial agents is 10 substitute one set OF officers Tor ano
yernment 1t 10 en,rust your funds 10 officers whom
we do not appoint, and over whom we have II" con-
troll instead of officers Of our own creauon SUBJECT 10
our own laws. accountable at all times to the Govern
u:en liable TO be removed, and subject to such regua
tons restrclions and pains and penalties, Congress
may prescribe Are not the officers OF banks subject to
The weakness and exposed 10 the same temptations,
officers 'f the United States? Have there not been
s many d,talcaious and frauds by corporation officers
as BY those of this Government? II is true that in eve
~ instance such frauds might not expose the Treasury
of the United States 10 loss if il had funds deposited
IN bank controlled BY such officers; bot is however,
rue that all the losses the United States have sustained
ny banks have been consequence Of The fraudulent and
dishonest conduct Of their officers But il seems 10 be
claimed that il is wrong for the Government 10 expose
!uhc officers TO the temptation of having the custody
md control Of a large amour, Of money. Would not
his argument apply with equal fUrce the banks, and
4: Just, be fatal 10 the whole banking system:
Mr. President the honorable Senator from Virginia
remarked that he should be happy his Iicnd from
Tcnnsylvania MIR Buchanan Secretary Of the Treasu.
~; but thai gentleman, very wisely, in my opinion,
promptly tclnPd The prof" red honor This led the Be
from Virginia I" remGrE that he was not surprised
it, considering the 'rollennPsS OF the whole concern
OF the soundness or rot,ennrss Of the Administration
The gentleman, in his position at the head of TIE
armed neutrality, now become a reinforcement 10 the
Opposition, may not perhaps be the most impartial or
competent Judge. II DIES not appear 10 be position
vorahe for the discovery Of TRUTH old friends and
I'd objects evidently appear TO the Senator's political
Yision very different from what they did when he was
IN this side Of the House He can now discover dark
sDot upon the and faults oi vast magnitude aud
,,rnpor,ions which he did discern all when in his
Id position Whether there fog the other side
# the hall whether it is wiiul blindness on The part
&c those who cannot objects except in the light they
desire 10 them, will not undertake 10 determine
Ut from some other the position is very uI-
favorable TO the discovery Of truth.
But whether the Administration is "rotten concern
or not think the Senator from Pcnnsy 'vanlu may have
good for his decision, alter what he has Wit
nessed here and in the other end Of The Capitol, of
disposition 10 assail upon The most frivolous grounds
the head Of the Treasury Department II is difficult 10
.alisy gentlemen in thing, and seems utterly hope
less TO attempt please them in the Of the
Treasury. The Secretary either hostile 10 the banks
Indifferent towards them, has too much affection
hem he is either dIscredilnr their bills improperly
aiding in circulating them He cannot shape his course
xactly please gentlemen, and this is remarka
bic when they show much anxiety To be pleased I'm
der these unfortunate circumstances, and as The Sena
Tor from PENNSYLVANIA has declined the honor has
Cured to that, in certain contingency, arrange
'nent might be made in regard to The Treasury which
would be perfectly satisfactory TO all the gentlemen on
the other side Of the House. The 10 which re-
Ter, is the election in 1910; for, should the combined
forces of the Opposition be successful the honorable Sc.
from Virginia, no has long given his attention 10
financial subjects, should be placed al the head of the
Treasury Ii is true, Sir, the event which this i'm
porant result to The financial interests Of the country
depends, is not only contingent but lis is
rather doubtful And the prospect fits taking place not
frightening, but daily becoming darker The elections the
past year. and other indications Of public sentiment do
favor the opinion that such result is very
probable. Still, however il is possible. At the las,
session. in the most kind and friendly spirit, caution
I'd aud admonished my excellent friend over The way 2,
Cooking towards Mr. Clay Of Kentucky not TO suf
Ter himself to be deceived by appearances told him
that the indications Of public opinion hen The result
Of panic other temporary causes could not he safely
relied upon and that il would be than a
able forest ht to fnrbear making any distinct arrange
nents tor taking possession of the White House in lc4
Subsequent have proved The seasonabtness and
wisdom Of this advice, which have doubt re-
ceved in the friendly spirit in which il prof
irred. The prospect for the Of any Opposition
candidate is quite good now as il was then; and,
what is discouragng for my distinguished friend,
there appears to be to doubt whether
he will get on TO the With all his skill and ex.
perience accian, the military chieflain and the