Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-21

ate the subscribers to the Fiscal Bank
of the United States" which originated
sn the Senate, has been considered by
me, with sincere desire to coform my
action in regard to it, to that of the two
Houses of Congress. By the Consti,u>
ton i, is made my duty, either to ap>
prove the bill, by signing it, or to re-
turn it with my objections 10 the House
in which it originated. 1cannot con-
cienliously give ii my approval, and |
proceed 10 discharge the duty required
,,t' me by the constitutional give my
reasons for disappearing
The power Of Congress to create
National Bank to operate PER Sc over
The Union, has been a question Of dis
pntc from the origin of our Government.
Men most justly and deservedly estee-
med for their high intellectual endow-
ments, their virtue, and their patriot
sm, have in regard to it, entertained
different and conflicting opinions.
Congresses have differed. The appro-
val OF one President has been followed
by the disapproval Of another. The
people, at different times, have acqui>
,.sced in the decisions both for and a.
uainst. The country has been, and still
IS agitated by this unsettled question.
Il will suffice for me to say, that my
own opinion has been uniformly pro-
claimed TO be against the exercise Of a.
ny such power by this Government.
On all suitable occasions, during
ycrod Of twenty-five years, the opin-
.ons thus entertained have been unre>
.ervedly expressed, ! declared it in
he Legislature Of my native State. In
The House Of Representatives Of the T.
uted States, it has been openly vindi-
cAtcd by me. In the Senate Chamber,
IN the presence and hearing of many
who are at this time members of that
hodv, it has been affirmed and reatfirm-
ID, in speeches and reports there made,
tnd by votes there recorded. In popu-
ar assemblies have unhesiatingly an
nounced it; and the last public decla-
ration which | made, and that but
short time before the late Presidential
election, referred to my previously
expressed opinions as being those then
entertained by me.
With full knowledge of the opin-
IONS thus entertained, and never con-
'ealed, | was elected by the people
fice President of the United States.
BY the occurrence Of contingency
provided for by the Constitution, and
arising under an impressive dispensaton
# Providence, succeeded 10 the Pres
,,iential Office. Before entering upon
ne duties of that office, ! took an oath
'hat would "preserve, and defend the
constitution of the United States" En-
ertaining the opinions alluded to, and
having taken this oath, the Senate and
country will see that | could not give
my sanction to measure of the char
icter described, without surrendering
al claim 10 the respect Of honorable
n neil---all confidence on the part of the
Ieople-al self-respect-all regard for
moral and religious obligations, without
an observance Of which no Govern
nent can be prosperous, and no people
,an be happys 1t would be TO commit
j crime which would not wilfuly COM
'nt TO gain any earthly reward, and
which would justly subject me 10 the
,Idcule, and scorn o. all virtuous
men.
deem it entirely unnecessary at
his time TO enter upon the reasons
which have brought my mind TO the
convictions feel and entertain on this
subject. They have been over and a,
vcr again repeated. If some of those
Who have preceded me in this high Of
ice have entertained and avowed diff.
ierent opinions. yield all confidence
ihat their convictions were sincere.
claim only 10 have the same measure
lneied out to myself. Without going fur,
;her into the argument, will say that
IN looking 10 the powers Of this Gov
ernment TO collect, safely keep, anl
disburse the public revenue, and Incl
denrally 10 regulate the commerce an'
exchanges, have not been ableto salts
ty myself that the establishment by thi
Government of a bank of discount, il
Ihe ordinary acceptation OF that term
was necessary means, or one deman
ded by propriety, to execute those pow
crs.
What can the local discounts Of ,h
bank have TO do with the collecting
safe-keeping and dlsbursing of the rev
cnue? So far as the mere discountin
of paper it is concerned, is quite lmms