Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-14
DEMOCRATIC MEETING IN HALIFAX.

AT an adjourned meeting of the Democratic Party Of
the County of Halifax, held at the Courthouse of said
County, the 22nd day Of November, lS41, DIR. Patrick
ii. Foster, the Chairman of the former meeting, vas
again called to the Chair, and Col. Paul Taylor TO ac
as Secretary.
Dr.. Thomas II. Averett, from the Committee ap.
pointed at the former meeting, reported the following
Preamble and Resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted
The political developments of the last twelve month:
have created in the minds Of large masses of our PEG.
pie the most serious apprehensions Of the purity and
permanency Of our free Institutions. Participating in
these apprehensons, and convinced OF the necessity Of
arraying the power of the people against the machina-
tons Of the party now ascendant in the Federal Co.
vernment, we, q portion of the people Of the county OF
Halifax, and State of Virginia, do hereby pledge our.
selves to our Republican brethren throughout the
Union, to urge an Incorporating opposition to the
leading measures Of that party, as developed at the
late extraordinary session Of Congress. We deem
those measures evolutionary, demorallzing, and dan
rerous in their tendencies, and some OF them onerous-
" oppressive in their immediate practical operation.
Ano those Of our fellow-citizens who honestly cast
their votes in the last Presidential election in favor Of
so changc," in the hope Of "retrenchment and reform
in the administration of the Government, will, upon
comparing the promises of the Federal Wing leaders
before that election, with their performances since,
surely feel it n duty to themselves and their country
to Join us in ~rebuking and defeating them. "Retrench-
ment and reform in the Government, ard srelie! TO
the people," were their promises before the election.
A National Debt, increased taxes upon the people, and
an alarming revolutionary perverslon OF the taxing
power, have been the first fruits of their triumph.
Alleged disorder and embarrassment in the National
Finances constituted The chief pretext for the call of
the late Extrn Session Of Congress. The repeal Of the
law regulating the Administration of the National Fl
nanccs, thereby leaving them under the control OF the
oficers OF Government, without any adequate legal
regulation, was one Of the first acts Of those who con-
trollcd the proceedings Of that Extra Session and,
-,a. r. ,.lo cJ.no Tho n,o,raa IF tho Trpouury
which they alleged 10 be we'll nigh empty, they cut of
one of its chief resources, by passing u law to distri.
butte the proceeds of the public lands TO the States
thereby usurping the power of raising money for the
STATES, under the fraudulent pretence Of a%ffording them
"rclief," but really and practically taxing the people to
the extent of6feen or twenty millions annually, in order
to distribute to The States five or SIX millions annually. A
measure SO unequal and iniquitous in its operations, so
revolutionary and demoralzing in its tendencies, can.
not long Withstand the vengeance OF an outraged COM
munity. To call it a measure of "retief," adds insult
to injury.
Under the same pretence Of %"relief," they sought to
create a National Banking Corporation, ~avowedly 10
hold and speculate upon the public monies to master
the State Banks, and regulate the currency and ex-
changes.
plation Of such powers, in the hands of ga few favor
Individuals practically irresponsible to the people,
ought 10 arouse every friend of free Government 10 a
end never ~finching opposition and espe-
cially since we have seen and felt IN The operations OF
The late National Bank the evil consequences Of con-
Terring such powers.
The power to incorporate companies of any kind, is
specified in the Constitution, and sis of a nature
not transferable by mere Implication" From the re.
corded history Of the formation Of the Constitution,
we know that such q power was expressly repudia,ed
and rejected by its trainers. Experience has proven
the Federal Government can perform It's consti. |
.utional functions without the aid OF a National Bank
md hence, that latitudilous constructions, which would
iustify the assumption of such a power, upon the plea
necessity, regardless Of the known rejection of it, by
Federal Convention, is condemned. For, We have
The Federal Government successfully and pros.
perously administered not only without the aid, but in
spite of the hostile efforts Of such a corporation, back
by a powerful and talented party, and a league of af.
interests, constituting in the whole, as power.