Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-04-16

in This cOuutrv-1 SNsttHI nv W ps ouPP"''a -
correct principle Of political economy gross deiu-
son ,y,a dream OF ysionlry-a system which has
do more TO corrupt the morals Of society than any
,b,nr else-whch has introduced struggle for wealth.
instead of that honorable struggle winch governs the
actions of patriot, and makes ambition virtue
which has made the husDahun'ah sPuin n'0 .o
tage. and introduced spirit OF luxury at variance
| with The simplicity Of our institutions call upon
IN. warm advocates of banking now 10 snrren
der their errors. Shall l take Them oy the haho
and lead them through cities BanSrup'cy meets
us at every step-run stares US every wheFe III Tue
face Shall be told CT the benefits arising 10 com
MERGE from the concentration OF capital: Away WIN
the deusion; experience has proved lis iaacy'
it has operated for a moment as stimulus pu'
| like ardent spirits, 1t has produced aGtN't. nv
energy, but for mement; relaxation mas loi'o"
ed and the torpor of death has ensued. Nheh you
| first open your Bank, much hustle ensues-a nc
ttous goddess, pretending 10 be Wealth, slahds ~
the door, inviting all to enter and receive accomhoua
.ion splendid palaces ariSe-the ocean IS covered WIN
sails-but soon alteration in the state OF the country
takes place; and, when the thoughtless adventurer
seated in the midst of his family in the imaginary en-
joymen of permanent security, sketches out 10 hnlseii
long and hacyon days. his prospects are oYersadoweo
and misery, ruin and bankruptcy make their appear
ance, in the form of bank curtaments. II TINS be uue'
and appeal 10 the knowledge OF all men for It's truth,
demand to know if you Gun put down the system too
soon: Can too escape the dangers by when
we are surrounded: know shall be told that even II
put down this bank, that State banks Will still exist
Even if true, the position not ustiable one II me
State Legislatures do not follow the example when IS
set them shall have acquitted ourselves OF our duty
1t is all that be asked Of us. But, Sir, we actually
possess the lever of Archimedes and have foot OF
ground on which to rest it. Our amounts TO
upwards of S20,0OO,0O0 annually Require but lth
or 9Th to be paid in gold and silver what would be The
effect The merchants would collect the notes vi banks,
and demand specie for them, and thus test would
be adopted BIZ of which 10 ascertain The sovcn-
CIV of every institution. The demand for specie thus
produced would have the beneficial effect OF lntrodu
cling of it into the country Tor money - ke
other article and will find way to the market "heIs
it is most wanted. The system might be enlarged
gradually until your wishes should be consumn'a'ed
know the ground which occupy, when urge these
considerations upon you. man, regardiul alone Of
the fleeing and ephemcra popularity oil Inc noui'
would hesitate in pressing them upon you. But
should moi hold mysclfentted TO your countenance, TO
the councnancc Of honest men, what sui more I'm.
pnrtanl, the appreciation o!my own conscience, couo
be operated BY such motives or fears PARDON me
for still further extending this enquiry. lhere are
three parties interested in the question, which we are
called on 10 dccde-the ockholders-the debtor-and
the government. could prove it is to the interest OF
the honest stockholders to put down tbs Bank
"There remains then 10 be considered but one other
fact: How would the Government be affected by me
dissolution of this charter protest against The d'a
that the Government cannot get on without thus BANK,
We are not dependent on this corporation NTelched
indeed would he our condition II such was the case
Sir have every confidence in the ability and talent Of
the Secretary Of the Treasury 10 devise some scheme
as substitute FOR the present We shall pay too much
for the facilities which are afforded the Treasury by TINS
Institution.
"You have been disappointed, concludes Mr. Tyler)
in your Wishes in your expectations Instead OF
system Astounding in blessings, il has been converted
into an instrument of corruption. Cold, unieeling
speculation has usurped the place Of honest feeling
Are not too young TO encourage such state "i
things Our republic only be preserved by strict
adherence virtue. il is duty, we consult our
eternal good put down this first instance OF detected
corrupton and thereby 10 preserve ourselves from It's
contamination. This bank is already nterwos en- with
the affections OF many;-tts influence VIII become
every day more and more extensive, and u we suier
this opportunity to escape, We may sigh over our I'M
happy condition; but that will be the only privilege
which will be left US. Let my fate be what It may,
have discharged my duty. am regardless OF the con-
seauences We hail this spirit indeed with admira'
ton.
We have pressed these views upon the Bank Of the
United States further than We designed we VIII not
dwell upon the other iavore measure, winch lhe
Whirs propose to carry at the Extra Scsson-viZ
the Distribution of the Proceeds of the Public Lands
We firginians are accustomed 10 meet such questions
upon the ihr shhold We ask them where the authority
under the Constitution for appoprang the properly OF
the United States 10 the of the States. We iind
against bowling the States, in the character of bene
icaries, to the feet of the General Government.
These public lands given tor the common use OF
the people of all the States but it was gwen to The
Federal Government in its Federal cnpacity-And
there is no better way of appropratns their proceeds,
than to discharge the debts and def y the expenses OF
The Federal Government. They have been always ap
propraed 10 that object Why should they be diverted
at this moment when the Treasury IS said TO be in
want Of resourccs-when there surplus to divide,
a r,ha ret suDnly the by lUpmen-
tation of the Tariff We aware, that the wing
leaders are availing themselves OF The present moment,
when of the State Governments are IN debt and
when il is supposed TO be convenient 10 them 10 nave
the proceeds Of the public lands to pay the interest OF
their own debts. Thus the appeal is lnsldiousy made
10 their poverty well as their cupdlty But, after all
the relief this way will he far short OF the wants and
ofthe States The debts OF the States
are estimated at more than 200 millions. Surprising 10
millions annually be wanting TO pay the interest
how far will the millions from the public lands suffice
for this object: We should receive little more than
one half. According TO the tables, Illinois has more
than S7S0000 Of interest to paw but her ratio oil the
public lands would be only S31 600. The interest on
the debt of Pennsy lvanla 6O00OO-her ratio oil The
proceeds is not quite 900. Is it contemplated, az
some daring schemcrs have proposed to issue and DIS
tribute among the States amount OF SCRIP I" be
by the public lands and adequate 10 pay The
whole Of the State debt But every Patriot must start
back ut this new and alarming assumptlon-and IN
fact every proposition for distribution surrounded by
obec lions which hold TO be insurmountabe. We
want men in Congress, who will resist it, as we'll rs
National Bank, with all their cnergles-and we shall
want Delegates in the next Legislature who may coun-
crac all such measures, and assert all our Principles
as becomes the statesmen Of the State Rights School
of Virginia.
But another event has fallen upon US, since the Ad.
dress of our Convention issued. II is an event
new in our annals, extraordinary in its consequences
which has spread sadness and sorrow our land
The death Of VIM. Henry Harrison, late President OF
the u. S.. has been announced 10 you; and while we
contemplate with the dispensation OF Providence
which has so soon and suddenly removed him from
his high station it becomes seriously 10 consider the
probable consequences of this unexpected event The
heterogeneous mass who composed the party by which
Gen Harrison was elevated 10 the Pres dency, among
their numerous war.cries and nnumerabe symbols,
sorted which originated with MIR Daniel Webster
"Change, change, change, said the Chleltain in the
ranks Of Federalism, and "Change, change, change,
rsechoed through the camp Of the enemies 10 the Con-
stitulion Since Mr.. Webslers appointment as Secre
tary of State the time has been too brief to give him
opportunity developing al the changes which he