Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-07

constitutional power OF congress THINK
that you mock the people with an incom-
petcnt institution and call them to surren-
der every thing.
And this. it seems to me, is the sort of
concession or compromise which the Sen
ator from Virginia calls upon us to make
concession Of every thing on our side
and nothing on his-a compromise in which
he gets all and gives nothing! We were
extremely glad, Mr.. President, to find the
honorable Senator, although under another
respectable flag, uniting with the Wings to
bring about that great change in the admin
istration Of the General Government which
commenced on the 4th of March last
Some of US INDUCED the hope that profit
ing by the illustrioUs example of his Ia
mented neighbors Jefferson, Maids on, and
Monroe, he might come to the conclusion
that the Bank power was no longer an open
or disputable question; but, if he could not
agree with them and us, we hoped that
other instances, on important measuses, of
concurrence Of opinion between us might
compensate for this sole difference. For
one, | was disposed to leave the Senator in
the undisturbed possession Of his opinion,
hoping that, if he could not unite with us
in establishing an cffectuaI National Bank,
that we might do without his vote on that
question. But l would ask him, if it be
kind or right in him to seek to disturb US in
the quiet enjoyment Of our opinions! If
he cannot come to the twenty-six or twenty
seven Wing Senators, who believe that
Congress has the constitutional power to
establish National Bank, ought he to en-
deavor to drag them to him! Is rot such
process against all the laws of gravitation!
Here Mr.. Rivcs said that the amendment
he proposed was reported by the Secretary
Of the Treasury. This is true, and the
Senator is entitled TO all the benefits he can
derive from that fact. feel quite sure,
however, that the Secretary does not en-
terrain different opinion Of the constitu-
tional power of Congress from ours.
must, then, entreat the Senator from Vir-
gnia to forbear pressing his amendment
and, if he cannot give up his own peculiar
opinion, to leave US in the undistlrbed en-
ioyment of our long cherished convictions.
He thinks, indeed, that the Bank power
is question not so firmly settled. by re-
pcated decisions, as | have supposed it to
be. Why, sir, how stands the matter!
Twenty seven years ago, Mr.. Madison con-
sidercd and treated it as settled question.
After that a new Bank Of the United States
was established, which lasted twenty years.
During its existence two decisions of the
Supreme Court of the United States, (the
Bank with the State of Ohio and McCul-
Tough rs. Maryland involving the taxing
and penal powers of the States,) one, if not
both, unanimously pronounced, affirmed
the existence of the power. In Congress,
in 1882, bill passed by considerable ma
jorities to re-charter the Bank. Public
opinion, in all the various modes of its man
itestation in legislative assemblies and III
popular meetings, has proclaimed the con-
stitutionality and expectancy Of Il National
Bank 1t is not true that the reelection of
Gen. jackson was decision adverse to
the Bank power. For. in his veto Of the
re-charter, he admitted the utility OF a
Banl, and stated that, if applied TO, he
could have furnished a plan lie was vo-
ted for, therefore, by large numbers, in my
personal knowledge, he was, by many, I'M
der a full expectation that. if rc-elactod, a
National Bank would be established. In
the case Of Mr. Van Buren's election, the
single question Of BAN: or no Bank was
not fairly put al issue. 1t was mixed up
with others; and one, if net two Of his
competitors were not understood to be un-
condtionally in favor Of the power.
1t has been argued that we must incorporate
this amendment in the charter, and pass it in that
form, OF we shall get no Bank and illusions have
been distinctly made 10 opinions entertained else
where. 10 not think that it is compatible with
the respect which is due to the Chief Magistrate,
or the dignity and independence Of the Senate,
to make such illusions. Whatever iniereCceS
gentlemen may have felt themselves at liberty to
draw, am perfectly confident that the President
has given authority 10 no one to say how, in a
given contingency, he would act Such gralu.
ilous intmalon, in advance, on question OF such
delicacy and difficulty, think am not mistaken
when say, his sense Of official propriety would
restrain him from making. And my confidence
| in the patriotism and honor Of the President, and
! in his devotion TO the cause which brought him in.
to power is so great, that feel perfectly persua
ded that he cannot fail TO look at any measure
which Congress may mature and present to his
considerations with an anxious desire, If he can
to conform his judgment 10 that of the Legislative
department. ! will not, for the reason already as
signed, advert 10 the facts and circumstances OF
which indulge hope, and from which draw in
ierenceS variant from those which have been ex
pressed.
But sir, is it quite certain that such Bank at
the Senator from Virginia would alone make it
really better than no Bank? All must feel tha
the Bank controversy has had sufficient duration
and sufficient bitterness. 1t should he the desire
Of all 10 see it terminated, and harmony once mort
restored if not forever, at least for period Of p
j yenrs Pass an nld fashinneA Rank with nnll