The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-08-05
SPEECH OF MR.. CLAY, OF KY,
IN THE SENATE OF THE .. STATES,
On his amendment 20 the hank Blll,
Tnrshnr Inv OH -
Tuesday. July 2Tta.


Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, said that the
defect Of hearing still continuing, to which
he alluded yesterday, depriying him Of the
satisfaction Of hearing other Senators, and
preventing him from so regulating or mo-
dulaIing his voice as to be iayorably heard
by them, he had occasion for all the kind
indulgence Of the Senate in the few OBJ
servations which he now meant 10 ad.
dress 10 il. During the progress Of this
bill, Mr.. President, il has been clearly ma
infested that there is a decided majority
Of the Senate in favor Of the establishment
Of National Bank. For himself, he be-
lieved that it stood out prominently as the
first among those measures Of relief which
he ferven,ly hoped would be sent out by
Congress, from its present session, to re-
establish the business aad the prosperity
Of the country. Other measures would
undoubtedly extend much relief, but it
would be limited and not general; whilst
every section, every interest, every per-
son, rich and poor, would be benefited by
the blessing of sound currency. If we
pass all other contemplated measures, and
fail to pass this, we shall fall far short Of
the just expectations ola suffering people.
But the passage Of this only, without any
other measure, would have fully justified
the convocation Of Congress.
But Notwithstanding the urgent neces-
sity of a National Bank, it is well known
on all sides of the Senate, that the bill as
1t at present stands, in respect TO the
branching power Of the bank, cannot pass
this body; but will be rejected by ma
jority Of 20 to 25, if all the members be
present Under these painful circum.
stances, what ought tn be donel Shall
we return home without fulfilling the
hopes of those who sent us here, in re-
spect to National Bank! We have
thought it due to the country, and to our
own obligations, tn leave NJ honorable
means unemployed to bring about a con-
currence of opinion, if possible, among
those members of The Senate who agree
as to the necessity Of National Bank.
We have accordingly conferred and con-
suited together, and interchanged opini.
ons and views, in that spirit OF concilia.
ZION and concession which should ever
animate those who are united in opinion
as TO the object to be accomplished, but
are unfortunately divided on subordinate
points. We have not looked beyond the
Senate. He kMr. c. does not know,
does not wish, and has not sought 10 know
the opinion OF. the chief of coordinate
branch of the government, in respect to
the proposition which he was about TO
submit. Not that he was wanting in
high respect, personal and official, for the
exalted person to whom he alluded, but
because it was, in his (Mr. C.'s) iudg-
ment, against the spirit and genius Of free
institutions, that the deliberations Of the
Legislative branch of the Government,
during the progress Of great measure
under Its consideration, should be affect
ed or regulated by opinions, real or ina
glnary, of the Executive head.
The result of the consultation to which
ne has referred, has been an amendment
OF the 10th fundamental rule, which he
was about to propose. That amendment
proposes modification Of the branching
power Of the bank as reported by the
He adheres land he believes
al OF the nineteen political friends who
voted with him in rejecting the amend.
nsnt proposed by the Senator from vir-
,ihia, Mr.. Rives, sihere) to the unsha. i