Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-12-26
Missouri Legis lature.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
DECEMBER, Cd 1910

DECEMbEHi 81 lCtO'
Speech of JOHN L. ANDERSON Esq. upon the res-
olutions offered by Mr. Price, on the subject of for
eign influence. In committee Of the whole
Mr.. Anderson said, young and inexperienced in
the ways of Legislation, | had hoped that my Off
cia duties would not have made it necessary fer me
to engage in party discussion during this session
of the Legisiature-G came here, not for the pur-
pose OF enquirng into the cause that produced tie
defeat Of Martin Van Buren,, or the election of
that pure and incompatible patriot and statesman,
William Henry Harrison, to the highest office
within the gift of a free and mighty nation. But
was sent 5y my constituents to legislate, and that
too in such manner as TO promote the interest
and prosperity of this young State--a State, which,
if aided by wise and judicous course Of legisla-
ton, is destined ere long, to rank among the first
States in this Union.-I had supposed that after
the eventful contest was oVer-after the great po-
litca battle Of 1910 had been fovght-ufter victory
had perched upon the standard Of American liberty
that every patriot and phianthropist would be dis
posed to pour oil upon the troubled waters, and to
calm the citations of the public mind but it seems
that in this, | have been mistaken. | am gratifed,
however, that the ordinary course of legislation
has not been interrupted with the introduction of
politics by the party with whom / have the honor
to be associated the gauntlet has not been thrown
by us--but he who was selected for his supposed
ability and impartiality to preside over the deliber
atoms of this housekeeping that the duties of
the important station with which he had been hon.
Ore0, II properly ulScharged, imposed upon nm the
task of restraining every thing like party feeling,
and party animosity had thought it right and proper
to throw this fre-brand into our midst.-I had
hoped when heard him the other day assert in
this House, that the American people had been
bought with British Gold, and operated upon by
British influence that it was nothing more than the
effervescerce of monentary excitement, but it
seems that he has after calm and deliberate reflec-
ton reduced it to writing ard now SKIS this House
to endorse it--for one, | am not prepared to say
that the descendants OF the patriots and sGges Of
the revolutionary war have so far degeneIated in
age, rs to be bought like sheep in the markets with
British God-it is a foul aspersion upon The pa
triotisn virtue and incOrruptibe integrity of the
American peOple--and nothing but the phrenzy of
a reckless and defeated party could have invented
charge so disgraceful, SO utterly false and I'M
founded
l will now proceed to the cons liberation of the
subject matter of these resolutions. Sir, in the
first place beg leave to advert to the letters upon
which they are founded. 1t seems that the commit
tee appointed by the Governor, to examine the nf
fairs Of the Bank repaired to the City of st. Louis
some weeks before the session of the Legislature
| to discharge the duty assigned them-they made
| thorough investigation of its condiuon-had fire.
quent intercourse with the President and Directors
of the Bank, and yet they received no intimation
from any Of them that these letters of an Oh
noXiouS character--nOt one SI llabe was breathcd
upon the subject IF they contain internal evidence
of design upon the part of British capitalists to
interfere in the internal policy Of this nation. why
was not that fact communicated TO the committee!
Is it to be supposed sir, if such had been the opn
ion of the President and Directors of that instu-
tiOn that they could have suppressed their indigna
| ton! Was 1t not their duty to inform that com
mttee, in order to secure their corporation in re-
| pelng this insdious attack upon the institutions
| of the country! Why were not their designs ex-
posed Immediately upon their reception! If these
letters contain what is imputed TO them, the Pres-
dent and Directors Of the Bank must be either
knaves fools. 1t is impossible to believe, if they
are true to the interests CT the country, and
prompted by those high and eHno5!inr qualities
which should characterize every public officer, that
they could have believed these letters so fraught
with mischief, and pernited them to lie thus long
unnoticed. If they contain what is affirmed n
these resolutions, and the President and Directors
who read them, and had every opportunity of fer.
retng out their meaning could detect no such de
sign, then they have too little sagacity and fore
cast be continued at the head Of our seal con-
Germs If the President discovered that they were
replete with danger, why have we not his indig-
nant answer should like to see with what spirit
of scorn and manly firmness lie rebuked the men
that sought through him to operate upon, and cor
rupt the freemen of this country. Where are his
answers! 1t required keener eye than his to de-
tect such designs as are charged in these res1u-
! tions. Neither he nor the Directors ever dreamed
of such thing. Nothing was ever heard Of them
until after one Of the members of the committee
! met distinguished individual, the far famed Thus
! II. Benton, at political meeting ut PALMYRA. Ii
was he who solitary and alone set the ball in mo-
ton. Wrthing under the indication Of that sig
nal defeat which awaited him, and tic party whose
measures had so long eXered baneful influence
! upon all the interests OF this once happy land, he
| sought refuge from the storm which was threat.
| ening around him, and thought he saw it here
| But how Gid these letters get to this city, How
| did they leave the files of the Bank What in.
duced the President to bring isolated part of his
correspondence with those Bankers! And how has
| it happened that he brought but the identical let
tiers here referred to! Was all this accident! Was
| it not rather the result of previous arrangement
| and an effort like many others of that Senator to
humbhg and gull the peopel | repeat it sir ant
say it boldly that if these resolutions are true
the President and Directors Of the Bank are eithe
| knaves or fools They either did not discover tina
Frederick HUH & Co., were disposed to operate
upon citizens, and polute our institutions the
are unworthy Of their trust. But they made n
such discovery, nor can this Legislature if unbi
assed by party feeling and party prejudice. Be
!, Sides sir, admitting these resolutions to be true
there is no need of Legislative action in re!ar
} to them. The bonds referred to were placed b.
law under the control of the Bink--it had full au
thority TO recall them at its pleasure, and why,
these letters of the dangerous character
which gentlemen suppose, did not the Presiden
recall them long ago. 1t was his duty as love
of his country, he owed it to the freemen of Mis-
: souri,, he owed it to the whole American people, t
recall them without delay, and spread far an
wide knowledge of the fact, that Foreigners wer
attempting in treacherous and covert manner I
r corrupt and ruin our institutions. But be did n
such thing. No one here knows one word Of wha
the President said in answer to these letters-bu
that he had full authority as agent of the Bank t
| recall the bonds without Legislative action upo