The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1841-09-16


know that, like many Others, be had en-
tertained doubts as TO The constiiutiolalIiy
Of bank but also know that, as the cleo.
lion approached his opinions turned more
and more in favor OF National Bank aud
| speak from my own personal knowledge
of his opinions when ! say that | have no
moro doubt hc would have signed that bill
than that you, Mr.. President, now occupy
that chair, OF THAI am addressing YOU.
rose not 10 say one word which should
wound the feelings OF President Tyler
The Senator says that, If placed in like
circumstances, would have been the last
man TO avoid putting direct veto upon
the bill, had II met my disapprobation
and he does me the honor to attribute TO
me high qualities Of stern and unbending
intrepidiiy. hope that in all that relates
to personal firmness--all that concerns a
Just appreciation of the lnsigniicance Of
human liie-whateyer mny be attempted
10 threaten or alarm a soul not easily sway
ed by opposition, or awed or inundated
by menace--a stout heart and a steady
eve shat can survey, uuinoyed ana Gndauht-
ed, any mere personal peTlls that assail
tais poor transient, perishlng frame, may,
without disparagement, compare with other
men. But there is sort Of courage
which, frankly confess il, do not pos
sess--a holiness to which ! dare not as.
pirc--a yalor which | cannot coyet.
cannot lay myself down in the way Of The
-
That | cannot, have uGt the courage to
do. cannot interpose the power with
which ] may be invested--a power con
ierred 10, for my personal benefit, not for
my ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, but for my country ;
good---io check her onward march to great
ness aud glory. have not courage
enough, | am too cowardly, for that. |
would not, dare not, in the exercise of
such trust, lie down, and place my body
across the path that leads ny country to
prosperity aud happiness. This IS sort
Of courage widely different from chat which
a man may display IN his private conduct
and personal relations. Personal or pr.
vate courage IS totally distinct from thai
higher and uob,cr courage which prompts
the patfio, TO offer himself voluntary sac
rifice 10 his eouatry's good.
Nor did | say, as the Senator repre-
scnis, tia, the President should have re.
signed. in,lmated no personal wish or
desire that be should resign. referred
to the fact Of memorable resignation in
LIS public life. And what | did say was,
that there were othcr alternatives before
han besides ,etolHg the blIl aud shat Il
was worthy ii his consideration whether
consistency did not require that the exam
pie which be- had set when he had a con
stiiueucy of one State, should not he fol.
lowed when he bad constituency ccm-
mensuraie with the whole Union. Another
alternative was 10 suffer the bin, withoa,
his signature, 10 pass into law undcr the
provisions % the Constitution. And
must confess ! see IN this, ua such cscap.
lug hy the back-door, no such Jumping oul
u lha window, o. the Senator talks about.
Appreheusious Of tho REPUTATION Of the
want ui hrmuCss sometimes impel Us to
perform rash and incuhsidesatc acts. 1t
Is the greatest courage 10 BE- able to bear
the mfNiai.0n Of The want 81 courage
Bat Pride, vanity, egotism, so uramiab'c
aHd offensive 10 private life, arc vices which
partake Of the character Of crimes in lhc
conduct Of public affairs. The unlortnn.
ate victim Of these passions cannot SEQ b..
youd the iille, betty, contemplate circle
81 his own gcrn..al Interests. Al his
thoughts are withdrawn from his country,
and concentrated On his consistency, bis
lifmness, himself The aieh. the exalted,
the Sublime emotion, Of patriotism, which,
soaring towards Heaven. rises Car above
all mean low, Of selfish things. and ls ab,
sagbcd by one soui.transpor'tug Thought
Of the good and the GLORY II ones country,
are never felt in 81, npcnctrahIe bosom.
That patriotism winch, catching is iuspi.
rations FROM The immortal God. and lcay.
iug at an lmmcasur1bia distance below all
lesser, groycilng, personal interests and
feelings ammltos and prompi@ 10 deeds IL
-sli.-acrfcc, Of saIor, d devotion, and Of
death ltselt-ihat is public yirtuc-ihat Is
the nob.est, the snblrHest Of all public yir,
toes
| said nothing Of any Obligation on the
part Of the President to conform hrs Iudg.
mont 70 the opinions Of the senate and
House Of Representatives, although the
Senator argued as i had, and pcrsescrod
10 50 arguing, after repeated corrections.
! said no such thing. know aad respect
tic perfect Independence Of each depart.
mrnt, acting within It's proper sphere, Of
other departments. But ! referred to the
mdlor.lcs N the two Houses oi Compress
rs further and strong evidence 81 the opin-
ION Of The People 81 tic Julcd States ~
favor Of the establishment OF Bank or the
United States. And ! con,cndcd HAT, ar
cording to the doctrlue Of Instructions
which prevailed IN Virginia, and Of which
tho President is disciple and, ~ pursu-
auce Of the example already cited, he
ought not to have rejected the bill.
have heard that, on his arrival at the
scat OF the General Goyernmcnt 10 enter
upon the duties Of the office Of VICE presi
dent, IN March last, when lntorroga,ed