The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-17
REMARKS or MR.. SIMMONS.
or RHODE ISLAND,

or RHODE ISLAND,
On the amendment proposed By Mr.. RIvEs OF
ITginid, 10 the 6iil 10 incorporate The sub
scribers 10 The Fiscal Bank Of the United
States.
In SENATE or THE UNITED STATES, JuLY2
Mn. PRESIDENT:
The direct appeal just made TO me by the
honorable Senator from Massachusetts Mr..
Choate, for the vote of what he is pleased 10
call the = Emerald Isle'-makes il proper for
me to accord TO him my vote in favor OF the
proposed amendment, or TO assign TO HIM and
10 the Senate the reason why do not. And
this appeal, made by one representing a constr
tuency Of similar pursuits and interests, and, as
had before supposed, entertaining similar op-
mons with those which |, in part, represent here,
has added a responsibility 10 my position which
should not have felt hut for this circumstance.
His reputation as a statesman admonishes me
OF my obligation TO give TO his argument and
suggestions, that respect and consideration
which they are entitled 10, on account of their
strength, and of his position and experience
This they shall certainly have. But must say
10 the honorable Senator, who allows me TO
call him my friend, that the vote of the "Eme-
raid ISLE" must be given, on my part according
10 the dictates of duty, although she should, on
this question, stand "alone in the ocean,
w ucIl say lHls, dll SURE we nave dfiiNtu W
that condition, when we can differ and still be
friends. will add, that il is as painful 10 me as
il can be TO him, TO differ with any of my pollt-
cal friends here, or elsewhere, upon this ques-
ton; but having no doubts nmy own mind, and
none in regard 10 the sentiments of my constitu-
ents, my path is plainly indicated, and must act
upon the sentiment, that obedience IS better
than sacrifice lam, therefore, constrained, by an
lmperious sense of duty, to vote against the pro
Il brio .r III.
sons.
The amendment proposed, is. intended TO
change the principles of the bill-this is its sole
object. And the honorable Senator from Vir-
GINA Mr. Rves) who proposed il, has urged
ITS adoption with eminent ability. He has stated
his positions so clearly that even as unpractsed
man as am, can understand most Of them
and this implies no ordinary talent in him. His
motion is two-fod in its character; il is to strike
out and insert; and all his propositions are dis
uncty reierable to one or the other Of the two
branches of It.
propose TO pass over for the present, the OBJ
jectons urged against the bill as reported and
TO consider the arguments, urged in favor of the
provisions proposed to be inserted first, although
these were presented last, by the honorable
Senator. For various reasons which the honor
able Senator assigned, he assumed as admitted,
that the constitutional power 10 establish Ma
tlOHdl bdnh with is Nv
the BILL was a doubtful or questionable power
that IN all doubtful questions, neiherpart should
be required TO surrender. To do this, would
create ill-blood That, by his proposition, the
disputed point would not be surrendered, but
simply postponed for future decision-(the Sc
nator from Massachusetts proposed that the post
ponement should be to the time of the $ Greek
kalends," or as a Yankee boy would say, "the
day after never land thus avoid all difficulties.
That the provisions proposed to be inserted
would involve no constitutional question, and
would, therefore, produce harmony, insure the
success of the measure, and accomplish every
practical benefit that can be hoped from the plan
proposed in the bill as reported.
Having stated the main grounds upon which
the amendment IS urged, near as ! am able
to do will frankly admit as a practical man,
(and as such the appeal is made TO me, that,
il | thought these positions sound, and the
plan proposed practicable one, the question
presented would be very simple, and one Of
expediency merely. We should have only
10 decide whether we would have such Bank
as experience has proved to be good one, with
few men in doubt about our power, or hazard
change in respect TO the form OF exercising
the power, in order TO remove their doubts As
| would not sa crltce practical good to a mere
abstract question OF power, would decide such
question in reference wholly to the probable
success of the measure itself. But If can sa
usfy honorable Senators that to adopt the amend
ment would overtun what is now setted--sur-
render what they say should not be surrender
Ell, but postponed merely; and that after doing
this injury, the bill would not only be subject TO
the same Constitutional objections, but also be
inconsistent with itself, trust they will agree
that the amendment should be rejected.
! have said that should pass for the present
the objections OF constitutional character, urged
against the bill as reported but | must notice
one upon which the proprlety of the motion IT.
self depends and that IS, that the constitutional
power to establish Bank is a questionable
one. II this was the only view in which it was
presented, | would content myself with pro-
pounding the question presented by the two pro-
positions, To wit which OF the two Govern
ments (the State or the National has, or ought
10 have, the constitutional power 10 establish the
Offices or branches of National Bank The
proposition carries with 1t its own answer, and
cannot be illustrated by argument; and yet the
vote upon this amendment is TO determine on
which of the two Governments the establish
ment Of such Offices is TO depend. But, for the
present purpose, | shall regard the question of
power as if ii was really doubtful one, in or
der to test the soundness OF the argument OF the
honorable Senator from Virginia, and see II
there is, upon the ground he places ii, good rea-
son 10 change the bill so that the establishment
of offices shall depend upon "the assent OF the
State Legislatures" The first position assumed
by the honorable Senator is, that the State au-
thorty can be used without a surrender of the
National. Upon the correctness of this depends
all his argument upon the subject OF mutual con
cession and compromise. This point was sought
TO be established, by assuming that II was analo-
gous to the question OF jurisdiction over the DIS
puted territory upon our Northeastern boundary.
As he complimented me, the last evening, by
inviting my special attention 10 that part OF his
argument covering the question now involved,
will, after making my Acknowledgements TO
him, riva tho roeuIt If ,nv hriaf examination