Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-09-16

and sentiments such as these is his heart. the
PRESIDENT could not be justly expected to sign a
OIL which IN his conscience he believed and had
SO repeatedly and solemnly declared, to be con-
trary to the Constitution Of his country.
There being, then, nothing in the opinions of
INC iathers and founders of the republican school
TO induce President Tyler, as consistent disciple
Oh that school Tor twenty-five years past, and one
who had over and over expressed his conviction
OF the unconstitutionality of Bank Of the United
states, 70 change that opinion, what course but
mat which he has pursued was left to him when
the OIL Tor such bank was presented for his APP
proval
The Senator from Kentucky tells us that the
opinions of the individual nominated, by tho pat
rotic and enlightened Convention which assem-
6led at Harrisburg, as candidate for the Vice
Presidency, on this great and Important subject.
Wee bat HUE thought oil.
MIR. CLAY.-rhe Senator has stated this very
differently from the manner in which stated the
fact. What i said was, that the President
thought his opinions more extensively known
than they actually were: and that the less con-
sequence was attached to them when they were
known, because he was the candidate for the Sc
cond office ony.l
acquiesce i'll the Senator's explanation. But
was not this most extraordinary state of things!
And did 1t not, lift were so, bespeak on the part
OF that Convention signal instance of reckless
ness and want of considerations The party, he
says, were intent on the one great object Of an
old-fashioned Bank of the United States, and
they knew that a bill charteriug such bank
might be dependent for its fate on the castinr
vote of the Vice President in this body, Gas il
was when II wasneg atived by the potential voice
OF George Clinton.2 Surely it would have evin-
ced most extraordinary want offoresight, when
such issues We're depending, to select candid
ate Tor that Chair without the most careful inquiry
into his constitutional opinions. Was John w
Ter so Insignificant a character that they knew
nothing OF his past history! Where is the man,
whether member or spectator, within these walls,
TO whom his political principles and character
were not more or less familiar! II there is any
one thing which has distinguished him above all
other traits In hs character, it is his undertaking
adherence TO the school Of strict construction and
State rights. Who has forgotten when he stood
proudly on this floor in a minority of one (on the
occasion OF the revenue collection bill in 1881 in
vindication ofwhat he deemed vital doctrine of
that school
Who was ignorant of the part which had been
assigned him by the Senate as well known but
honorable and kigh-mnded opponent of the late
Bank OF the United States on constitutional
grounds, to conduct an investigation of the pro-
ceedings and affairs of that institution! One
would think that if gentlemen acted under due
sense oil their responsibility to great and patr-
Otto party, and ifthey attached agrave importance
to the establishment Of National Bank, thew
would OF course take care 70 select as their cam
didate for the Vice Presidency one on whose de-
cision they could rely. How was it in regard to
eneral Harrison hmsela the eanddass SELECTED
Identified with a National Bank! Not at all.
He on the contrary expressly disclaimed it. He
repealed the imputation political SANDER, and
defied those who made it to the proof. If that
had been the true issue at Harrisburg, all will
concur with me when say (and itgives me plea
sure to pay merlted tribute to the high charac-
ter of the gentleman from Kentucky that he him
self, and he only, would have been thought of as
the candidate for the Presidency. On the con-
trary, it was because his party were unwilling TO
make that the issue before the People in the Pres
idential election, that the honorable and distin-
| gushed Senator from Kentucky did not obtain
that civic crown, which he so we'll deserved, as
the reward of life devoted to what he considers
the true interest and glory of his country. But
the issue was avoided as hazardous.
Let me go little more into detail as to the o.
pinions of Gen. Harrison. What was his course
in the other House of Congress in 1919, when
he and President Tyler were gallant compeers in
tbe'frst war with the Bank of the United States !
ltlie went even further than the President did in
| opposition to the Bank. John Tyler, in confor-
nifty with those conservative principles Ct use the
term in its broad and general sense) which form
part of the political education Of every Virgini.
an, was unwilling 10 revoke solemn charter
once granted; but General Harrison, brought up
as he had been, in the holder and ireer school Of
the West, was for summary act annullng the
charter of the bank. 10 this vote he himself re-
ferred, as showing That he was ''Bank" Of
Federal" candidate Ito use his own words) fol
the Presidential office. In 1922, in published
address to the people of his district, he openly
and distinctly ayowed his opposition to Bank
He there proclaimed himself to be disciple o.
the Republican school Of 1898, and explicitly de
, clared his opinion that the Bank of the Unite,
States had been established in violation of thu
, Constitution of the United States. In his lette
Of 1886 to Mr.. Sherrod Williams distinguished
member of Congress from the Senator's owl
State, he said he would not give his sanction TO
Bank of the United States, unless, by the faiur
of all other expedlents, il should be demonstrate
to be necessary TO carry on the operations of tn
Government, and unless there should be genel
: the nation In favor OF such an institution; an
t then only as a fiscal, and not as comn,ercit
t bank.
Y | am reluctant, Mr.. President, to refer to an
| thing that may have said or done in the con
mon cause during the late contest, but may /
n | permitted to say that /, for one, with an hone
il conviction Of the truth Of the statement, and fou
o ding myself upon authentic declarations of Ge
i Harrison himself, did, in published address
# my fellow-citzens, represent his personal leanir
S and opinions to be decidedly against Bank
e the United States. Certain il is that hundred
l. and thousands of our countrymen voted for hi
r without the least reference TO bank. The lss
N of bank or no bank was not made in the Pres
s. dental election. In the mind Of the honorab
&c Senator, no doubt, it was prominent issue; b
Of it was issue his friends never ventured to pl
t, pose 20 the country. Gen. Harrison, in the
e. test expression Of his opinion in the President
n canvass, Gin his Dayton specify said that TIM
OF was no grant in the Constitution of power to c