The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-13

spCCIC JaY y
even though in some cases invited by Legislative
enactments To this honorable course, aided by
the resistance Of the general government, acting
in obedience to the Constitution and laws OF the
United States, to the introduction OF an irredeen-
able paper medium, may be attributed, in great
degree, the speedy restoration OF our currency to
sound state, and the business oil the country TO
It's wonted prosperity"
Now, sir, it is evident these gentlemen had
overlooked this evidence when they made those
sweeping denunciations OF fraud, treachcry and
swindling against the banks; and, Sir, as honor
able and candid men, when they see that they
are not olly not sustained in making them, but
are fatty contradicted by their chief, hope, in
justice to the banks, to themselves and to him,
they will withdraw them. Mr.. Van Buren, had
all the evidences of the course and condition of
che banks before him, and of course had it in his
power to Judge correctly. But, SIR, regret to
say, that as to the effect of this "honorable
cou4sen Of the banks, he fell into most egrcgi-
Gus error. Is il possible, Mr.. Chairman, that the
president could have believed what is here most
soleinny asserted, that the currency of the coun-
try was restored to a sound state, and the BUSH
of the country to its wonted prosperity! Sir,
he may have believed it; as to that cannot say,
but as to the fact, do not hesitate to say that
every unprecedented man in the nation will agree,
that such declaration, made at time when the
bitter groans and piercing cries, oil the Victims Oh
his miserable and destructive experiments, ruhS
from Maine to Louisiana, must either have been
the offspring Of the most blind and suPersutlous
credulity, or disposition to- mock at the caiam-
tiles and miseries of the millions who had been
reduced to beggary by the wIckedness and folly
OF his measures Bat, sir, have carried this di-
erosion farther than intended, and return to
my proposition. | pledged myself to prove by
the evidence of Gen. Jackson and Mr.. van Blu
rem, that the latter is chargeable with all the
evils and misfortunes which now affiict the coun-
try Tac ODr
lie service, thought proper to follow the example
of ssthe father OF his country" and delivered to
his countryinen farewell address, near the close
OF which he said, ''My humble efforts have not
been spared, during my administration OF the GO
vernIoent, to restore the constitutional currency
of gold and silver; and something, trust, has
been done towards the accomplishment OF thls
most desirable object"
Now, sir, as to what had been done towards
the accomplishment of that, s'most desirable OBJ
ject," do not pretend to say but presume all
will admit, now, that if Gen. jackson had done
any thing towards giving the country currency
of gold and silver, Mr.. Van Buren, has undone
it, for sir, at this moment, and Tor three years
past,-aye, sir, since the very FIRST year OF Mr..
Van Burcn's administration, we have not been
able to get gold and silver to pay our postage,
without buying it from broker and paying
premium for it.
Again, sir, in taking his inal adieu of the
a
lated himself and them on the success oil his eAer-
tions to promote their prosperity, and addressed
them in this solemn and impressive language;
&C My public life has been long one, and can
not hope that it has at all times been free from
errors. But have the consolation OF Knowing
that if mistakes have been committed, they have
not seriously injured the country so anxiously
endeavored to serve; and at the moment when
surrendered my last public trust, leave this
great people prosperous and happy" t
Well, SIR. this was the condition in which Pre-
sident jackson said he left the country. Now
let us see what Mr.. Van Buren, declared its con-
dition to be on his accession to power. In his
inaugural address fini this strong passage on
this point-he said
'FAbroad, we enjoy the respect, and with
scarcely an eruption, the friendship of every ma
ton; athome, while government quietly, but
efficiently performs the sole legitimate end poll
hca Institutions in doing the greatest good to the
greatest number, we present an sgregate OF hu-
man prosperity surely not elsewhere to be found.
Now, SIR, have / not redeemed my pledge?
have presented the testimony of Gen. jackson,
asserting in the nast solemn form that he left
the country ''prospefSus and happy !" and the
free and full admission OF MIR. an baren, that
he had found it presenting . an aggregate OF
prosperity, surely NOT elsewhere to be found
What more is necessary Surely nothing. But,
sir, may be told that the causes of the revul-
sions and disasters which have over taken the
country, had their origin under the admlnlstra-
ton Of his 'sillustrious predecessors" and sup
pose that be <admitted. Then, answer that
Mr. Van Buren, acted a leading and conspicuous
part in that administration-that ne was Cen.
Jackson's chief councillor and adviser, and We
rily believe, before God and my country, that
most of the errors of Gen. jackson are attribute
able to the counsel and advice given him, and
the influence exercised over him BY MI van
Buren,.
TNT l .,,@1 fhalD
misery, as peoPle-disgraced and degraded as
a nation-and, now, is it reasonable, that we
should submit to be told by the author OF our
mis- fortunes that it not in the power OF the
government to afford us any relief--that we
6loo!s to the government for too much" and to
receive from him as the only aid he will offer us
in the hour of our distres, a homily on industry
and economy
Sir, do not believe the people OUGHT to look
to the government for toe much IN times OF
great pecuniary revulsions and dsasters-that
they ought to expect the government to pay their
debts for them. To do this would be a;klns TOO
much, and, sir, it is what no mortal man did
ex,ect The people must look to their own IN
dustry, enterprise, and economy, to relieve them
from their embarrassments. But what cncour-
agement have they--what sIslr-yhat stimulus
TO exertion and enterprise under the present
state of things and the policy OF this admins
tration which is to reduce the prices OF their pro-
pertv and the products of their industry; and rob
them of its reward? What encoura cement has the
farmer to produce more than he can consume IN his
own family, when he knows he can getnothing Tor
it9 But, sir, do hold, that the government is
under the most imperative obligation, in the per-
Torrance of its legitimate functions and powers
to afford the people every facility in conducting
their affairs, which may be in its power to be-
stow And among the various duties Of govern
ment of this description stands prceminent, the
duty of establishing and regulating sound and
uniform national currency, as we'll for the peo-
pie, as for the government, which will eqnalize
and facilitate the domestic exchanges OF the
country.
AS to the means, sir, by which this great and
important object shalt be accom- plished, can
only say that am not welded to any particular
institution or plan. What insist upon Is, the
genera principle. / believe, as have already
Indicated, that National Bank, under proper
nd ,uniiid be the best.