Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-10

OPThe MadiSonian-one of the best
Republican authorities in the country-so
handsomely answers and scatters the cavils
of the Richmond Enquirer, in relation to
the truism that "the assent Of the States
cannot enlarge the powers of Congress, !"
that we copy its article, and commend the
distinction it enforces to the shallow minded
and hasty-of ALL parties-and thus take
leave of the subject, for the present.
"Tbe editor of the Richmond Enquirer has at
last aroused himself for action. He proclaims an
invasion of the Constitution by the Fiscal Bank
proposed by Mr. Ewing. The great point on which
he relies is, that the States cannot, by their assent
add TO the powers Of Congress. Who does not
know, and acknowledge this! But, is this the
question! What power is asked by Mr.. Ewing to
be conferred on Congress by the States! None
whatever Does Congress ask permission of the
States to create Bank for the District of Column
bia 1t has, already, that power! 1t has exer-
cised that power always without dispute. AleXan-
dria has her banks-Georgetown her banks
Washington her 5anks--all from Congress. The
power then to create banks in the District BY Con-
gress is as complete and perfect that possessed
by any State. in the Union to create banks within
its limits. Now drop Congress and the District,
and suppose Virginia to be operated on by the
same desire to restore uniform currency TO the
| Union, as indispeHsably connected with her pros
perity. What if Virginia created bank of thirty
millions, with liberty to the directors to establish
a branch in the District of Columbia, if Congress
would grant its assent, pray tell us, thou ardent
stckler for the Constitution in what would Vir-
GINA either violate her own constitution, or invade
| the rights of others And suppose that Virginia
should authorize the board Of directors to
tabsh branches in each of the States, if the assent
of the States could be procured, what new power
would be added to her, or what right of any other
matter stands on compact between those who have
full power to contract. The States have no power
to contract without the assent Of Congress, aud
Mr.. Ewing simply proposes a contract between
Congress, as the local Legislature of the District
and the States-thus enoering the assent Of Con-
gress in advance. There is no want of power
any where--but each party, the Congress on the
one hand and each State on the other, have full
power to create bank, or to authorize the estab
lishment of branches within the limits of their re
spective jurisdictions.
The Enquirer is proclaiming Mr.. Ewing's plar
unconstitutional. The old United States Banl
men are insisting that it is surrender of the Con
stitutonal power of Congress to create bank TO
the Union. Both are wrong. 1t surrenders moth
ing, and adds nothing to the power of Congress
1T reconciles the Constitutional question, and fur
nishes a system for the financial operations OF tn
Government, and safe and sound currency for tn
country. The Enquirer will find itself opposed Il
, the soundest constituencies that the countr
has ever produced, whose recorded opinions vii
sooner or later be cited in opposition to the hast
expressions Of the editor"
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