Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-08-24
Correspondence Of the Charle.,or

H
Mr.. Adams offered resolution. II
the House, yesterday cal line on,be
President for information as to the
letter written by the French Minister.
to the Secretary of the Treasury. res
pecting the Tariff. Mr.. A. appearedto /
think that the interference ofthe Min
lister; in matter which was before the
House, was violation OF the dignity
ofthe body. But Mr.. Fillmore shew-
ed that the letter was written before the
Revenue Bill was taken up in the |
House. The resolution was laid on
the table-yeas AZ, nays 70
The Fiscal Bank bill was discussed |
from eleven o'clock, A. M. TO eleven |
o'clock, P. NJ Much interest was
given TO the debate by the yigorors as
saults which some of the friends of
bank-Messrs Marshall Of Ky. Adams
Underwood, and others made upon
the 18th fundamental rule, respecting
the assent and dissent of the States;
and which is known as the comprom-
ise.Mr. Marshall confined bis remarks
TO this provision of the bill, and exhib-
tied its absurdity in so strong a point
of view as to make deep impression
upon the House. He had been anx-
ious, he said, TO support this measure,
as he had supported every measure
which his friends brought forward, but
he could not violate his conscience and
bis duty 10 the country, by voting for
the bill with this provision. He sbew-
ed that it was clearly unconstitutional
inasmuch as il allowed State to with
hold her assent from the placing Of
branch within Its limits, and then pro-
vided for the repeal of the State law
thus made. There was no power to
repeal State law legally and consti-
tutionaily made. The provisions also
conceded powers belonging TO the
general government, long exercised by
it and acquiesced in by the States; and
he contended that it was not in the
power of the general government eth
er to diminish or add to its constitu-
tional powers. The clause combined
the two extremes of consolidation and
notification; for while il asserted pow
er to abolish State law; ii authorized
Stale TO limit the powers ofthe Cen
, eral Governments. He protested
, against provoking and inviting a col
lision between the powers of the Cen
. eral government and The of States. Let
f this bill be passed and it will open a
thousand questions now happily al
E rest. 1t will next be required that the
: assent of the States shall be asked to
e revenue bills,to treaties &c. The Gen
o eral government will not only lose the
d banking power, bnt the revenue power;
g The war power, and the power to reg,
: uiate commerce. He was for bank,
e but he wanted bank of the United
States-ior the whole United States,
not for part. twas admitted that
{ half dozen OF more States would re-
= fuse assent 10 the law, and the law
:, would therefore operate; not generally
not coextensively, with the Union, but
partially and locally.
!, Mr.. Adams was also very powerful
$ in his opposition to this part of the
bill. He also indicated his objections
10 various other of lis details, and
e moved amendments accordingly. He
n moved TO strike out that part of the
bill which prohibits aliens from hold.
: ing or subscribing to the stock of the
e bank.
e Mr.. Wise was in favor of the bank
q and had no scruples according TO the
e constitutionaliiy; but he could not vote
], Tor this bill on account of IFS obiec.
n tlonable details. He thanked Mr. Mar.
shall for having saved him the trouble
: OF arguing the compromise question
Mr.. NJ, he said, had raked thai
question, fore and aft. leaving not /;
E spar standing. He defended the We
o 10 power and claimed for Mr.. lyle
e right to exert it, in this case, if he
y thought the law unconstitutional. The
; argument that he must yield his iudg-
j! ment TO the opinion of his predecess-
II ors, or that he was bound by the deci-
g sion of the Sepreme court, he consid-
n cred as absurd and unconstitutional.
I Mr.. Underwood opposed the com
promise, and said he felt pity for the
men who could vote fors the bill with
this compromise, and not for the bill
without it.
1t is probable that the House may
: make some amendments to the bill
: A bad feeling in relation TO it growing
up, even among its best friends, Mr..
Y Sergeant, &c. They think the bill i'm
e practicable, in IFS present form, and
!. that the stock will not be subscribed
: for, unless a bill worthy OF more pub
t lie confidence can be formed.
: The Senate passed the Fertilization
3 bill, with amendments enough to des-
troy it. The bill extending the Chart
: ers ofthe district banks was also pas
sed. The Navy pension bill was dis
cussed.