Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-06-14
wATCHMAN g. STATE JOURNAL.
PUBLIsuFp wEEKLY-PRIcE TWO DOLLARS FIFTY CENT
Per YEAR, OR TWO DOLLARS IN ADVANCE.
WIN. II. CRAwFoRD-NATIoNAL BANK

Now that the attention of the people is drawn
60 the question Of National Bank, and while the
opponents of such an institution are raising the
false and ridiculous cry Of federalism against it,
the following letter is peculiarly timely. WIN. H..
CRAWFORD Of Georgia wns one Of the most dis
tinguished, most worthy aud hest heiored OF the
Democratic party--a sound and experienced
statesman, and withal, happily 6tte,l 10 discuss this
question, MS he was for eight years Secretary OF
tho Treasury. We bayo hut one fault about this,
and il is, that it was addressed to c. j. lugersoII
the would -huve-been Tory and at present leader
of the locofoco party in Philadelphia. He, it
seems, i'll 1881 was Il bank man
WOODLAND, Dec. 1891.
Dear Sir--Your friendly letter, on the subject
of the United States Bank, has been received Ivy
due course Of mail The opinion which formed
of the United States l}nnk, when was member
OF the Senate, was tie result. OF careful oxamir-
;.iion Of the Constitution OF the United States,
madeywithout preconceived opinions. That opin
ion is recorded in TWO speeches which made in
tie Senate, in the yenr 1911. Since that time,
have had 10 occasion OF reviewing the question
My opinion remains it'laliered.
I was Secretary of the Treasury more than
eight years. and during that time had ample ev-
idence Of the great utility of The Bank OF the Uni
ted States, in managing the fiscal concerns of the
Union. am persuaded that no man, whatever
his preconceived opinion may be, can preside over
the Treasury one year, without being deeply inn
pressed with the expectancy Of the United States
Bank in conducting the finances Of the Union.
The provision Of the Constitution which gives
Congress the power to pass all laws which may
he necessary and proper 10 carry into effect the
enumerated powers, gives Congress the right tc
81, h., .,.,lAS t..,xy n
carry into effect the power TO collect aud distri
butte The revenue should he excluded by that pro-
vision.
The opponents OF the constutionnlity Of the
Bai!.i place great stress upon tie word necessary
contained in the grant OF power and itss, that NJ
law can be necessary bur such, that without which
the power could not be carried into effect. Now
This construction appears 10 ne to be indeiensibe
1t does seem to me, that the words necessary and
proper cannot exclude a law that is most proper
10 carry the power into effect. Yet the unconsii
nationality of the Bank can he pronounced only
nron that construction.
ii appears to ne that the trainers oil our Con
stiiuiiom never could have intended 10 exclude the
passage OF law most proper TO carry into effect
because it might be carried imperfecty into effec
by another law. My construction of the grant o
power to pass all laws which may be necessary t
carry the enumerated powers into effect, include
the power TO PASS all laws which are necesssr,
and proper to carry the enumerated powers int
effect in the most perfect and complete manner
and not in an incomplete and imperfect manner.
have seen complete development of The
Presidents [Jackson's] plan of bank. Ii is no
impossible that by his plan, the transmission o
the revenue may be effected but the safety Of The
public deposites cannot be effected by the Pres.
dents plan. The advantage of this security tc
the public is incnculable 1t ought not to be re-
linquished unless it can bo substantially proved
thai the Bapk of the U. S. is unconstitutional
This, t6ink, cannot be satisfactorily shown
My speeches are recorded, and can be repubsh
ed if necessary. They contain the result of TIT
best investigation was able to give the subject
am persuaded that could not improve upon
now, If had the means of investigating the sub
ject, which l have not.
am, sir, your friend, Sc,
(Signed) WIN. II. CRAWFORD.
c. J. INGERsoLL, ESQ.