Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-21
The Ketchuln Letters,
WASHINGTON, July Is, lS4l.
As published in the ". York Commercial Aduertis

My Dear SIR am quite willing to an
swer your questions, and to give you my
opinion fully on the bank subject. With
out replying to your inquiries in their or
der, the object of the whole Of them may
be met by some general remarks.
No man can entertain a doubt that the
late administration was overthrown, chiefly,
by feeling of opposition to its policy in
regard to finance and currency Other
causes co-operated, but this must be adj
mitted TO have been by far the most gen.
eral, and the most powerful. 1t is quite
clear, therefore, that thorough change of
this policy is demanded by the people of
the present Government and if this end be
not attained, the greatest purpose of the
revolution will be defeated. All this is
obvious enough.
1t is true, also, that among those who
sought, by change of counsels, to effect
salutary change in regard to finance and
currency, great majority entertained the
opinion that the agency of bank was in
dispensable. But this sentiment was not
unanimous. Your memory will immedi-
ately supply you with a long list of this
class, in that quarter of the country; and
though sentiment was more united in the
North, yet even there, exceptions existed
The distinguished Senator from your
State, had, even after coming to the Sen
ate, maintained the unconstitutionality of
all bank charters under this Government.
The failure of the deposite system, in 1887,
probably increased the number of the
friends of a bank; but still there remained
many persons who, if convinced of the
expediency, did not nevertheless, admit
the constitutional power to establish such
an institution.
Under these circumstances the Wing
Convention met at Harrisburg in Decem-
Der, 1889, and nominated General Harri-
son and Mr. Tyler as candidates for Pres
ident and Vice President. The opinions
of these gentlemen were generally known
on all political subjects, and those of the
latter gentleman especially, on the bank
question, were as well known as the senti-
ments of any public man on any subject
whatever. From 1919 to the day of NOM
nation, those sentiments had been ex-
pressed and repeated, in all forms, both in
and out of Congress. The convention
nominated both these gentlemen without
asking or receiving pledges, and solely on
the ground of their known characters and
opinions, and on this ground the canvass
was commenced and carried on. In the
course of il, opinions were frequently
called for and expressed, especially by
General Harrison.
Now, without going into particulars, q
fair accoant of General Harrison's opin'
ions is, that with strong feelings against q
Bank of the United States, yet, if it should
be found to be necessary, in order to carry
on the government successfully, he would
sanction it. And for the same reason he
would consent to give to the bank such
powers, and no others, as should be tound
to be indispensabiy accessory. This is the
general doctrine of his speech at Dayton
and is in consonance with opinions ex'
pressed by him on other occasions. lie
will there be seen to have placed this con
stibdtional power of Congress to establish
bank, upon that clause of the constitu
ton which authorizes it to pass all laws
necessary and proper for carrying the
powers of the government into effect
This was the Generals ground, and on thi
ground we fought the battle for him. W.
elected him; we saw him inauguraied, WI
saw him surround himself with a cabinet
and enter upon his high duties, but dealt
terminated his career at the end of tn
first month of his administration. The ex
ecutive power devolved on the Vice Presl
dent. He repaired to Washington, founo
an extra session of Congress already sum
moned, and requested the continued seryi
ces of those heads of the departments wh'
had been appointed by General Harrison,
Now, ohat pas it the duty Of these gentle
men to do? / do not propose to answe
this question, for several reasons. But
leave it for your own reflection, and l re
peat it--,ohdt ,uere they 10 dol On tn
bank question, that is, on the extent of tn
constitutional power of Congress they di