The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-10

7 q
uon ana 10 become almost deenceless in the face Of
mrhaung negotiations with foreign power that IN
uef we management of the ADMINISTRATION we had
an empty ieasury and large national debt; but
above all that lis example and us doctrines were cor
ruptlve OF the public morals
hesr, slr, are few of the charges preferred We
PROMISED 10 correct the abuses thus pourtrayed The
contest commenced under the lead OF that good man
VINO - no" no more. Upon his banner was inscribed
- he President Of the United States elected as snch
TO serve but term no patronage for "a ry
10 prescription Tor opinion sake but an immediate
removal OF all who had been or continued Ia he
Drawing partisans, and who obtained place for being
| such. o,e
We had other issues forced upon us by the Marty in
power. The standing army direct AVIATION Brop-
son moral and political reforms, endorsed by leading
presses o. me Administration party reduction Of
gss, az "a postu IN MI Websters e,ch at Saratoga
The abuse Of General Harrison. alone. caused thou
sands To leave The ranks Of the Administration and
raiy 10 the rescue Of his character Then sir there
was hat most Infamous New Jersey election scene 10
on inns MOOR which startled and dlsma yed the nation
AFTER this exposition will my Wing fends say that
mere was but one Issue made, and that this Bank 2
WIN The Opposition that the Wings made known
no principles during the contest The reformation Of
the abuses which have hastily SIX, tched indicated
our principles The repeal of The sub reasury the
distribution of the proceeds Of the public lands the
imposition OF duties on luxuries tariff for revenue
the funding OF The public debt the defences OF the
country by land and and the bshment OF fiscal
s'ilutional functions OF collecting and discussing the
pubic revenues, light also hoped aid incidentally
ia regulating the currency and exchanges of the
lty, were measures for which we commended ask
me Opposition II the party with which act did not
proclaim these principles, and il we aie not not now
engaged in carrying them effect The truth is
That no particular and distinct course of policy was
decided on at the late election. believe that ma,
Jorily Of the Wing party in favor ofthe meas ue
now before us, in some form other A small mno-
IA pI paapu N, .nL in
shape respectable and talented portion OF the party
We're favorable to IT, but commended for limited powers
and important notifications of the plan of the former
Bank.
of Fiscal Agent, it behooves be calm dispas-
| sonae, concllatory "A number Of our friends deem
II unconstitutional to establish branches in the States
without the consent of the States and they con
tend that Congress has re hi establish bank
with view OF regulating the currency, but merely
as an aid to the Government to transact It's cpnsriru-
llonal duties, as prescribed in the powers erpressiy
granted by the Constitution; and thew refer YOU to
numerous authorities which as they assert, MAINTAINS
The position assumed by them. This sir is with
them, constitutional objection the bill as now be-
fore us; an objection based on principle and which
Objection they say they cannot feel justified in yield
ing As matter of expectancy and policy they say
that the of The States to the establishment of
branches hin their limits would do much TO eradicate
former prcludices and place the institution not only
upon the basis of national sovereignty but upon the
firm and secure basis OF State sovereignty. They say
also, that il would strengthen the bank against the
power vi assaults always made upon such an nstiu
ton, and which the signs OF the times indicate will
be made upon the one We are now engaged in matur
ing They contend that since the veto Of the late
bank, that this question of asking the assent of the
States has met the appreciation OF majority Of the
people; and, that almost all the leading Wings have
cuncurred IN the opinion that it is necessary the
adjustment of such an institution TO consult the
pr9udices ofthe people They cite YOU to Mr.. Gays
speech in 1889, when he even minated that TO-
regners should hold stock in the bank he proposed
lhs was certainly yielding TO pre- JUDGE. They say
that If you were prepared to yield that point why not
yield to constitutional scruples the small boon we ask
Why not yield something which, without destroying
the Usefulness ofthe institution will render popular
ensure ITS stability, and thereby its efficacy for
the purposes for which it is established? l. sir am
wiling to accede to the request of the minority and
10 e,nce my respect for their constitutional scrupIes
But q majority of my friends determined not to
yield II may be that they are right and that am
wrong, hui ! know that my motives are correct
want bank, and fear thai this uncompromisng spl-
rit may he the Of failure establish the instiu
ton. Whatever may be my individual opinions re-
greet to hear such language uttered in such tone as
that used Ivy the gentleman fiom Pennsylvania MIR
Sergeant ~ and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr
Bolts, for both of whom ! have most profound he
spect and feel sincere friendship They tell the
House and the minority of friends that they have
rghto argue the conslitutionaliy OF this measure
That the question has been decided That they ale
estopped from debating that esiion by the dec-ion
Of the Supreme Court-hy Mr. Madison sanction of
he charter Of the bank, &c. They complain Of this
slant denial Of what they deem decisions | wish
that the question was taken as settled | could wish
for the peace OF the country, that unanlnty Of scnti
ment prevailed But, sir we ought not thus uncha-
riably to censurc the minority OF friends or even
harshy 10 Judge the conduct OF our political oppn-
nents, If they differ trom the gentlemen We must
recoect that many of the prominent men OF the
w hg party have declared an opinion adverse to the
oft m hapL An.
sion OF the Supreme Court General Harrison the
selected head Of the Wing party, expressed such an
opinion in letter addressed to his constituents and
published in the Cincinnati Expositor' IN 1922
Again, he says in his letter to the Hon Sherrod
Williams
was not in Congress when the late bank was
chartered but was membcr OF the thirteenth Con.
gress after lis first session when the conduct of the
bank III lis incirpnt me isures, was examined INTO
and he icving from the result of the investigation |
that The chatter had been violated voted for the IN
drcal investigation, with view Of annuhng lis |
charter"
In another part of the same letter, General Harr,.
son more fully states his views, extract from which
will read To the Committee:
The question, then for me to answer is whether
under the circumstances YOU state, if elected the
oiice 81 President would sign act to charter
other bank | answer would if it were ciedrfv as
certained that the public interests in relation 10 the
collection and disbursement of the revenue would
ma orally sui without one, and there were uneaui-
vocal manifestations If public opinion in Ms favor |
think, however, the experiment should be fairly tried
TO ascertain whether the financial operations OF the I
Government cannot be as well carried on without the |
and OF National Bank. 1t it Is not necessary Tor I
that purpose 1t does not appear to that be
consllutonally chartered There is Instruction
which can give the Constitution which won d au-
torize 1t, on the ground of sodng facilities TO com
merce lhe measure, If adopted, must have for it's
Object the carrying into effect facilitating at least the
exercise OF some one of the powers positively grant
ed to the General Government. If others flow from |
it, producing equal greater advantages 10 the ma