The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-08-28
BANK AND PEOPLE. =.
BY THE REV. JOHN LELAND,

dred millions stock, with nine hundred presi-
dents, nine hundred cashiers, and nine hundred
bank lawyers, five thousand directors, (all in.
tinential characters) fifty thousand dealers on
baLk credit, great portion of the members Of
congress and Of the state legislatures, who hold
in banks, fifty thousand lnsolvsnts, (who want
government 10 pay their debts) one hundred
thousand Office seekers, from the residential
chair down to elowest clerkship, with mul.
titude who have itching propensites for new
things, All these form mighty host; lanked
on one wing by ant-masons, and on the other
with abOlitionistsr with rear guard of consery-
ators, andmany scouting parties beside.
Is it possible for the democracy of the United
States to Withstand this formidable army, who
have already bid defiance and sci the battle in
| array3 tfta
Democracy is principally composed of the
tilers Of the ground, and the mechanics, of the
most necessary articles. This class. for the
most part, are not seeking nor expecting promo
tons: thelrIwish is to be protected by govern
ment in the enjoyment of their honest earnings.
deduc!ing therelrom what is necessary for the
security OF the remainder Caucuses, conven~
tions, and even the necessary polls of elections,
call them from their accustomed and cho-
sen pursuits: if there is no imperious calls, they
choose to be in their occupations A description
of their class forms no great splendor or pa
per-nothing for the pompous (who despise the
dull pursuits of labor) to admirel-Their motto
is, equal rights, and no exclusive privileges"
And their boast is, that the two presidents JEFF
ferson and Jackson1 which they alone elected
over all opposition, have purchased more land,
paid more debts and obtained more indemnities,
than all the rest Of the presidents. The first of
these favories drew the Declaration of Inde.
pendence, and the last effected victory and
doliverance in the Battle of New Orleans."-
These two events will never be forgotten While
history exists. Should the bank triumph over
the people in the coming contest, and forever
hereafter sustain othe pre- eminence, yet the
whole community will ev0r enjoy the advanta-
ges achieved by the two democratic presidents,
as long as independence, the great western val-
ley of the Mississippi, and freedom from debt
are advantages; although many may viliiy the
man by whom the rich advantages were gained.
| The out-cry, "hard times and little money ;"
has been constantly sounding for eighty years in
my hearing, with but small variation, and (exs
cepting those who have been trading presump.
tuously on bank loans, in specuatons that have
been rather injurious TO the nation) il is hard to
conceive any Just grounds Of complaint any have
at this time. Hard labor and all productions o
the earth, hocks and herds, taken in the aggre,
gate, demand current and handsome prices. l
the prices were higher, the money would be pro
portionably of less value.
The banks have proved their power over the
government, by suspeuding specie payments
they stopped the wheels of government, whcI
| 80
the blocks. The same may happen as oNel
as the banks please, SO long as the governmen
T and banks are united in marriage. Some ar
for dissolving the Union and thereby retail
J their rights, while others are shouting 30 Bank
live forever! who is like unto this BEAST wit
is able to make war with him!"
. TO have money sufficient Tor medium o
trade, to facilitate all useful commerce in which
individuals may grow wealthy, and the publ
, reap advantage, is desirable, but to have cir
culating currency so abundant as to check use
ful industry in some, and assist Others in gamb
ling speculation lin Which one cannot gov
, rich without others growing poorl is rather in.
I iurouS to society at large; but moral reasoning
I though ever so sound, is but feeble defence a
gainst heated disposition.
Borrowing nothing from history, but confn
ing myself to what lhave seen, there has been
from the administration of Lord North down t
: the present time, raging war between tn
claims Of aristocrats and the rights of man.
In the year l774 the aristocrat contended 70
the doctrine that kings were appointed by God
and TO resist them would be resisting the ordi
nance Of God. and bring on condemnaton.-
The democrats plead that natural right anteced
all insliiulions-tbal opposition to tyrants wa
IbedianCe to God-"liberty or death" was thel
cOunterslgn, In 1887 the aristocrats aboret
o establish government above tho control o
the people. The democrats sought for a gov
rnment that recognized the sovereignty of tht
peopIe-the rights Of man under equitable Law
"a government of expressed and defined pow.
ers. After the Constitution was put IN op
Grafton. the arlstocrats exerted all their power t,
bind the administration into monarchial chan
!, mel; and by construction made considerable
progress; but the beginning of the present cen
tury brought the Apostle of Liberty into tn
chair, whose elevation checked their designs bu
did not change their wishes; for III 1916, the
changed their ground Of opposition and ex
claimed. 1--WE are all one-now is the era
good feeling-drop all contention and let us bull
!, together!" These good words and fair speech
90 deceived the hearts OF many who were SIM
ply honest, broke down tie line of demarcation
: aid amalgamated the nation into hotch potch
During this apathy of twelve years, the aristo
Gratis gained great strength, until the Hero o
New Orleans was called from the Hermitage II
preside over the nation, who boldly withstooc
} them eight years. As the deposites were re-
D moved from the Bank of the United States, anc
that bank could not OBTAIN renewal of it
charter, il has shown such haughtiness to the gov
D eminent and towards other banks, that the pow
Y er of such an institution ought 10 be Stunned
/ and yet the bankruptcies Of all, and the suspen
sion Of specie payments in all banks, is laid t
the charge ofJacksnnl
During the revolutionary wsr, the declaration
5 of the wings was, "If we can have half ou
. interest and gain in our Independence, we shall
, be satisfied" But now The wings of the New
, School say, "Gve us money-give us the off,
ces give us the government, and we shall be
satisfied: otherwise, We will cast all the block.
, in the way that is in our power, to stop tn,
wheels fgovernment."
Y The love OF money is common with al nolit-