Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-08-21

iudices against banks, and would gladly
have carried their former threats into execu-
ton, il thew could have done so without in
flicting great injury on the interests OF their
constituents Ii is therefore but reasonable
10 conclude that the wishes and interests Of
the Banks never for one moment occupied
their Thoughts. But they we,c bound by
their duties as Legislators and the oath Of OIL
fee, 10 consult The best interests Of the peo-
plc-the good OF the State. And in doing
this, they were compelled, against their
cherished political prejudices, to sustain the
banks and give them time 10 retrieve their
errors.
Now, in the face OF these facts let me ask
our political opponents how long they will
suffer themselves TO be amused By The
slang of party leaders against banks. whose
hopes Of political greatness depend on their
success in deceiving the people on this sub
iect. and directing their attention from the
conduc, Of their rulers2" How long will
they suffer themselves TO be governed by the
T" ma kim of despois" and neglect candidly
TO inquire into the concerns oil the govern
ment." Most Of our friends Of the opposite
party admit that banks are necessary and
useful, but they seem TO think that they ex-
ercise some mysterious influence on the go
vernmeni and the elections, and their leaders
tell them that the question to be decided al
tho election is, whether the banks shall
rule, or whether the People shall rule.
Now. | would ask them how the banks
ran exercise any influence in State affairs
except through their officers and siockhold
ers7 would ask again whether they be.
lieve i, possible at this time, after all the pre-
iudiccs which have been stirred up against
the banks and their owners IN years past.
by heaping upon them every odIous epIthet
and charging them with every species OF
fraud, tyranny and abuse. for the officers and
managers Of banks 10 exercise rs great an IN
fluence in elections or in the legislature as
the same persons would be able TO exercise If
they were entirely disconnected with banks 2
and II not. where is the danger or injustice ?
From the statement Of the question by our
opponents. on this subject the inference is,
tha, the influence of the banks is all on the
Wing side. Gen Harrison is called in the
Globe aud the other papers OF the parry
The Bank Candidate. Now. the fact is,
that the banks arc pam OF them under
the direction and control Of Wings part
OF them under the direction OF Van Buren,
men, and the rest under the direction OF neu-
trails. II is highly probable that by FAR the
greatest number Of all The banks IN the I.
j. are OF the two last named classes con-
sequently If they exercise any influence IN
politics at all, iha, influence IS IN favor oil
the Van Buren, party. Those wiih mix
I'd board of Directors cannot be supposed 10
exercise any such influence. II follows
Then. even # IL be admitted that a Bank I
wives It's officers an additional and undue IN
lnenre in politics. that the advantage. what
ever il may be. more or less, IS divided be-
tween the two parties, aud consequently /
Bank influence is neuiraliZed, and no more \
- >. a., l.. ---..L-..-sl--.i f-e,.-, "a h. ih.
nscenAancy OF Que parry than from ih"i Of
The other nartv But in order TO form II jus,
estimate of the extern, OF bank influence. it
will be necessary to inquire liule further.
Banks. like individual money lenders. nre
aind to loan out their money on good seeu-
ri,y; i,sis as much Tor their interest to lend,
as i, is ~ the interest OF others 10 borrow
the former are as eager TO tiud borrowers us
the latter nre 10 find lenders The advanta.
yes are reciprocal Why then should the
lender be suspected OF exercising an undue
or corruping influence over the borrower,
any more than the borrower over the lender 2
Where is the bank or the individual who
will loan money on doubtful security. for the
still more doubtful prospect of influencing
he borrowers in their political action |
hive very little faith in the efficacy Of bank
influence in the elections The cases of il
ire few and far between. and operate on one
81 ie as well as the ether and therefore are I,
not dangerous 10 the liberties of the people. .
The loco.foco decnimers against the danger.
'us and eorrupting influence Of banks, are .
constantly charging the Wings of n wan, of
confidence in the virtue and intelligence OF
he people-while al the same time they Mt. !
cmpt 10 tickle the ears OF the people with ;
he assurance that they have the fullest con.
idence in their virtue and intelligence ;
ha! their ea&se rests entirely on that 6asis-l
But If they are sincere in this. if they are T.
tot dislrus,lul Of The virtue and intelligence |,
If the people, why do they express so much
ear that they will be corrupted by bank in !
luence ? Is there not elaring inconss.
ency in.theiI conduct in this respect All :
he dangers Of bank influence rests on the |,
of lack OF intelligence and /,
Urine on the part OF the people-for most
surely, if the people are intelligent and ho- !,
lest, it will be impossible for the banks to :
corrupt lhem-whalever may be The charac- !
er of the officers and managers Of these in.
'titutions.
How are we TO escape the conclusion,
hen, that Mr.. Van Buren, and the admins. c
ration. the conductors of the newspapers. :
nd la IF ho oil II