Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-07-06
CONGRESSIONAL ANALYSIS.

remarks on the resolution of MIR. Buchanan, calling
for the prescription lists Mr. Pierce traced the steps
MIR Webster in regard TO removals from ONCE pelofe is
election, showing that for years ne had nveigheo
it as violating the Constitution. lie followed mn
through his electioneerng onr and quoted his
at Patchogue-at Richmond making II clear that iche'
erer he went he recommended his cause, BY denonhcs
removals from office lie touched upon the manner ~
which the professions of Mr. Webster 10 the people had
been carried out by him since he obtained power and IN
connection with this part of the subject; he brought
up the conduct of Mr. Curtis, the bosom friend OF MT
! Webster who owed his appointment 10 him. lie exh''
bed letter of Mr.. Curtis in which that decaimer
against proscr pon and especial iavorite OF MI Web
sler, had turned out lad between ten and twelve
wears Of age, engaged in some underng employment,
upon the of his being Democrat, and recon-
nended another all right in politics because he was
ranged under the Wing banner. Mr. Pierce, animad-
vered with great severity on this unsparing proscrp-
ton, which went down to little boys and struck them
down for no fault but that Of mbblng opinions, proba
by from their mothers, and adherng 10 them for al
attachment, which had nothing OF party in 1t. and II
So without the power TO give them effect thus taking
from the Administration It's poor apology OF deprving
its opponents Of Office because they exerted It's inhu
ence in controlling elections.
Mr. Pierce was arrested in his exhibition of the cases
in which the Administration had violated ITS pledges TO
the people, by the arrival OF the hour TO resume The spe-
cial order.
\ On taking up the special ORDER the NATIoSAL BANK,
4 Mr. Ryes OF Virginia proposed amendment making
the assent of the States necessary TO the establishment
offices Of discount and depostes within their urisdic
ton.
lie took ground at the Threshold that the lndepend
emit Treasury was admitted by all hands to be con-
demned by the people. This TO clear the way to
his going in for National Bank But in this, his hrs
assertion, he took granted BY the whole Democracy
that which ninety. out of hundred OF the party
utterly deny and disbeevc. The Constitutional Trea
sury question argued before the people during the
whole period Of the Congress before the last II was
the test question in the for and the election OF
the last Congress, and trium phanty supported by
the people In the Presidential election, and that OF the
present Congress, other and vastly more influential
considerations operated and the Democrats hold that
the election Of Gen. Harrison not condemnation
of the Treasury system.
/ Mr. Rves next assumed that the State bank system
was abandoned by those who had relied after the
close Of the last National Bank. 1t assailed also,
he sad the other side, the friends OF the Nation
al Bank, and this left him alternative but TO ADAM
don his favorte system Of fiscal agency lie, therefore,
came forward with his District National Bank, with
powers Of branching in the States with their consent,
as middle ground of compromise
He argued that the power of Congress terminated in
establishing the National Bank within the District; and
that the branching subsequently the act Of the cor
pora ton, and of the State Governments. In adopting
this mode, he thought the provision of the Constitution
which it held denied 10 Congress the power Of es-
lahlishing National Banking Corporation over the
States, would be avoided
MIR. r. said that there many more decisions by
Congress against the power Of establishing banking cor
poraons within the States, than for it, lie ran over
! the various instances in which the question had been
mooted and decided, in proof of this.
lie sustained the declaration of the Presidents late
message to Congress- assuming that the people had de-
cided against the power TO charter Bank, and stated
that General Ilarrsons opinion also decidedly
against the consttutlonalty Of the power assumed IN
the creation Of Bank, and quoted his letter TO Sher-
rod Williams lie said that he pledged himself only
10 esl1 q
dcaton on The part of the people Of their will in favor
Il of it,
/ lie insisted ALSO that no inference of change in
public opinion could be drawn from the late Presiden-
al election The commtal of the present PRESIDENT
against the power 10 establish National Bank was
universally known. No public man the nation was
he believed, absolutely committed against the
right of Congress establish such institution, than
the individual who had been selected as candidate for
the second office of the Government by the Wings, and
it with full knowledge that he was SO committed
that he elected TO station under circumstances
which endered highly probable that his constitution
al principles would negative the establishment OF such
a National Corporation over the States
Mr.. Rves continued to advert to the OPINIONS OF the
present President, avowed previously to his nom
nation as affecting the late Presidential election, when
MIR. Clay rose n question of order, and protested
against any auson being made to the opinions OF The
Chief Magistrate in argument addressed to the Sc
nate.
Mr. Rives maintained that he was in order in abiding
the history of the pastthe opinions OF the President
pre- the election matters OF history which
he had right 10 refer TO. lie made auson to bis
present opinions II in relation TO an issue which
The Senator from Kentucky himself had alluded 10 very
freely, adyerng to the same opinions and on which ne
had maintained that the country had decided
Mr. Rives occupied the Senate about two hours in
illustrating his plan, and closed by portrayng the peace
and conentment which would grow out OF its adop
ton By his party in the spirit of compromise.
Mr. Clay, after long hesitation, cayallerly remarked
.l.. ha
, on the amendment. lie then opened speech by de-
caring that he thought nothing but mischief could
come Of this proposition OF the gentleman from Viz
gina. He SAID he asks every thing in the spirit Of
compromise and Cancellation, but grants nothing.
The twenty seven Wing members are asked to give
up their opinions, and 60 10 Mr. Rives and his col
league.
The question is Bank Bank--poweF no power
: I-consutonality or unconsttutoHaity. On this he
inyeighed and argued with the greatest emphasis lie
concluded this part Of his speech BY observing that if
after eight ten years, and the great triumph just OBJ
tained the power not asserted, it would be consi-
dered as surrendercd-and he added that The mbece,
ckety concern, which lie in his heart believed that 10
be- which offered by the gentleman from Virginia,
would by the sad result Of the experiment under it,
taken in connection with the fact that it subsii
tuied for National Bank, not only operate present
surrender and for several generations TO come but
would deter from the attempt to the power TO
establish one, perhaps forever.
The experiment of a great Bank Of enormous CAPT
tai, within the District, without authority to exert it's
powers beyond the District, he said, would certainly
prove an abortion. The States he said, would not
sent admit branches without subecting them to the
conditions Of State nstitutonsto taxation among the
rest and he declared he would hesitate (f oppo-
Of the Bank) TO go into any State and undertake
induce it 10 repc from its bosom any branch ofhe
ona! Institution planted in The District, by represent
ing rial superior power and ad antage, steal
ing into it 10 rob its cherished State institutions
of their chartered privileges. MIR. Clay spoke more
! than an hour with great yehemence.
Mr.. Preston followed Mr.. Clay, and said, all things
considered he thought the proposed amendment should
be concurred inland the whole drift of his speech was
TO sustain this proposition.
| Mr. Merrck rose, and the Senate adjournng, lie has
The noor the special order tomorrow.
!. TIE HOUSE.
After prayers, message received from the Pre-
sden of the u. S. accompanying memorial from SUM-
dry citizens Of New York. praying for a general bank.