Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-04-07


nlInlstrat'on against that institutions; who then regard,
ed the Bank controversy the first of questions; who
sought TO build his early fame upon this rock of ada
mant, now consoles himself, rather the people OF
Virginia, with the reflection that sit is evident that
General Ilarrsons IeaningS decidedly adverse
To a National Bank And tins is done, too, at a
moment, when there are but two alternatives be-
fore the country, National Bank or an lndepend-
ent Treasury; for, he darcs no longer propose
the twice, if not thrice exploded system of State
Banks, What is the unavoidable inference from all
this? Why that Mr. Rivcs has almost, 1t not entirely,
made up his mind 90 for another National Bank for
he precnds TO regard the SubTreasury as great Co
vernmcnt Bank of the worst form and lie had already
told if we recollcct Alright for we quote from memo
ry, at time when his opposition was less decided, or
rather less avowed, that between these alternatives he
should al least hesitate; from which we infer that by
this time, he has nearly to the conclusion TO take
Mr.. Leighs celebrated " alternative. Now, we be-
cve, that when has sworn TO obey the Constr
tuition, and he believes certain proposition unconst
tuona he has alternative but to vote against II,
rna c@ium, least until the Constitution is changed
10 suit his purpose, for which indeed IL contains pro-
vision.
From all this palerIng and unworthy shutting and m
sincere cquivocatIon turn to the frank manly and
entirely satisfactory declarations of Mr. Van Buren,,
much in accordance with the character the doctrines
of Virginia:
=. In the published opinions to which have already
referred, my opposition TO the establishment OF u ,.
Bank any the States placed upon the want OF con-
stItutlonal power in Congress to establish one Those
who concur III denying this power, nevertheless de
among themselves IN regard TO the particular views
by which their respective opinions sustained Some
admit that Congress has right TO create such an ins
tuition, whenever the establishment becomes necessary
10 the collection disbursement and preservation OF the
revenue; but insist that such necessity existed when
the charter of the old bank EXPIRED has arisen since
With this class, the considerations to which you aude
would be- essential and might have controlling eft.
feet For, such persons make the power to establish
Bank dependent upon them My objection on the con-
irary IS, haf the Constitution does not gre Congress the
pOTcr 10 create corporations Thhh ne States ms
was the main point Of Mr. Jetftrsons celebrated OPT
mon against the establishment OF the first National
Bank. 1t is objection, which nothing short Of an
amendment 10 the Constitution remove. We know
1t 10 be historical fact thatthe Convention refused to
confer The power Congress, and am opposed TO its
assumption any preence achdterer 1t IT'S possession
shall al any time become necessary, tie only juSt ray
obiain IT, 10 aSk al The hands 81 The people IN The
farm prescribed by tie Constitution Holding this OPT
mon, and to support that instrument as 1t Is,
could not find in he circumstances TO hich yon refer,
either warrant or excuse for the exercise OF the au-
thory in question; and am not only willing but de-
sirous hni lie yeope Of he L. $. Monid be tniiy in
formed If me precise ground occupy "Pon me Snb
jeci desire especially they should know II now
when an opportunity the best our form OF Government
affords will soon b. presented TO express their opinion
of lis proprietv If Mcy IN far0r Of .S"fiOnai
if Mfy dcSirc a CHG .NaeisrafG rho rW cOnSidcr IT
his duty tratch tie Of rrenS, and give with
hold his assent to such an institution, areordng to me
RDrCe of necessity for it that may IN his opinion arse
from the considerations TO which your question refers
they will see that my cooperation in the promotion OF
either of these views cannot be expected, Nc.'-
Again he saws, ''that whilst so confidently entertain,
and so readily pronulgatc these sentiments in regard
10 The want of power TO establish III any OF the States
National Bank am nj the same time equally desl-
,l,o Ia, f,l NJ | an do
cIedly opposed the creation Of any such institution
in the District of Columbia. | doeGot believe that
any National Bank, there elsewhere, is necessary
either of the advantages 10 which your ques-
ton has reference.
Tlh. I'm Buren's Later 10 Sherrod IWiams, Of 80.
Here then is no doubt, no clofd, mystilcatlon.
All is clear as light, definite language can express
thought; absolute as the aXoms OF mathematics ms
good old Eg MIA doctrine, expressed after The good
old Virginia fashion, and the plancst farmer must re-
cognzc and approve of it, especially when contrasting
it with the ditusc, doubtful, equyocating deceptive
declarations, rather HoncOmmial OF Alessrs liarrI-
son and Rves. 1t is the true Republican doctrine,
taught in the beginning by the fathers OF the church.
though borne down, for long tmc By the plausible
hcresies of a Hamilton and Amcs, which are now
reproduced by Harrison and endorsed by ll'ce aiI
Van Buren, asserts that tthe Constitution does not give
Congress the power to create corporations WITHIN me
States This is now a historical we'll as political
truth. In tho early discussions upon tins SUBJECT the
fact alluded 10 and has since been often repeated
that the incorporating power was withheld from con-
gress and for the among Others that might
lead to the creation Of Bank The publication OF the
Madison papers completely establishes this fact which
has been denied by some and doubted by others. The
following extract from the debates IN the Federal
Convention:
(Ertrar from Ms .W0diS0m papers just pubiishsd)
"Mr. Madison suggested an enlargement OF the mo-
tion ulat Of DR. Franklin "to provide for cutting ca.
mails where deemed necessary into power "to grant
charters of interpretations where the interests of the
United States might require and the Legislative prov
sions of individual States may be incompetent His
primary object was, however, 10 secure an easy com
nunication between the States, which the free inter-
course now 10 be opened seemed 10 call for The po
cal obstacles being removed, a removal Of the natn
raj ones as far a. possible ought TO follow.
sMr Randolph seconded the proposition
"Mr. King thought the power unnecessary
"Mr Wilson. 1t is necessary 10 prevent Ame
from obs,rucng the general welfare
Mr. king. The States will be prciudccd and div-
dcd into parties By it. In PhHnddpha and .Netc York.
trHI he r,ttrrrd 10 HE establishment Of hanh, which
has been a subject of contention in those cities In
other places ii viii be referred to mercantile mon"po-
lies.
"Mr. Wilson mentioned the Importance of racil',a.
ting bv canals the communication with the Western
settlements rs 10 hunts, hc did not Mink Th .Hr.
k;ng TIM, the porer ia that print Of riem 'conld eTrHe
The prcjndcrs 0nd parties 0Pprehsndcd As to mercan
tile mlonopol;eS, they already included in the
power TO regulate trade.
"Col Mason was for limiting the power 10 the single
case of canals He afraid of monopolirs of every
SORT which he did not think by any already
implied BY the Constitution, Us supposed By Mr. N'l
son.
"The motion being so modified as TO admit distinct
question specifying and limited to the Of canals
"Penusylvania, Virginia, Georgia, aye 3; New Ilamp-
Shire Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Della
ware Maryland, North Carolina South Carolina, no 3
"The other part fell Of COURSE including the power
This makes the argument both positive and negative
against the constitutionalty of National Bank COM
pete and contingency, call it convenience, or ex-
pediency necessity, whatever You WILL can not
whstandng the opinion Of General Harrison and the ne
sanction of Mr. Rives Justify so bold an ,ntracton OF
the Constitution Virginia has ever mad this true doc
trne in safe keeping She has cherished it, and she
will not forsake il now If she does, her circumstances
of nearly half century will seem 'nsncere, ana she
will be the laughing stock of her sisters, some OF whom
already rdcule her fidelity to constitutional scrupes
and pronounce them to be merely the freaks OF cap
tious and cavilling mind. Will she, now that she IS
mt to the test and has opportunity of reducing her