The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-03

In the next place, did il appear in an extended
view that was thing infinitely desirable 10 make
such charter OF the bank, that while they could at
ford 10 the country all the good that such measure
might do, at the same time that would conciliae the
scruples and opposition Of his eminent friends. For
the peoples sake lei the legal and scholastic matter 90
and yield 10 spirit of Compromise
Dealing with It as practical question altogether
he desired TO give to Insecurity Bank He had one
reason To give for this most painful duty his life by
which he differed from his friends He must say that
ne believed that Bank, chartered under this amend.
ment would lead quieter life as Bank than a Bank
chartered otherwise. Judging from the past, he ac.
knowledged he was very much afraid that such Bank
would lead but an unquet existence after all
like ratification on hostile border never al peace
always belgerent, never falling perhaps, but never
sale the price and inciter OF hostility insuperable-
He wanted 10 see Bank OF the u. S. that should
stand up among them, not an outpost, but as a
dear and cherished institution Of their own reposing
on the bosom of the Government
MIR. SIMMONS said he proposed to he a practical
man and this W as presented practical question
lie would compromise no practical utility to support
any abstract question of power He must follow the
convictions OF his duty; it had become time when
duty clear; he had no doubt of his duty and Of
the expectations of his constituents. II was painful
10 him as it to his friend, but there had come
time in history, when they could differ and still
differ al peace.
Il was most practicable to retain this doubtful doc
trne to recognize in their legislation this subject
".
who entertained doubts relieve themselves from them
by this amendment Then il would be question:
which should prevail, whether the desire OF relieving
men from their cmharrassments OF desire 10 keep
along with the old beaten track He could see no
possible shield that would be thrown them, under
the amendment, that was not IN the bill itself
He would give the gentleman from Massachusetts,
the for higher sense Of duty which prevent
ed him from responding TO the call he had made on
him for his support of the amendment. he regarded
~, l..t.,
few facts, which his judgment had been formed,
to the unquestionable power OF this Government 10
establish such an institution.
lie would refer to certain facts in the history of this
Government One os the leading objects for which
the convention 10 frame this constitution together
to give tn power to this Government establish
National Bank; it was so laid down by Madison in
his history of that convention, and toetathers
YER failed TO accomplish any laudabe object In the
next place he had the most ndsputabe testimony that
they had accomplished that same object, and that ev
dence given in their acts.
lie believed that there should be rotation of the
Banks of the officers un Ter Government, and he
would say that his mind was inclined to the term
principle, There was great deal OF sound policy in
not rechartering Bank but carrying il again to the
people. The question of Bank had been decided by
experience, but above all in the only constitutional
form, and that was by trial in the Supreme Court. IL
had been settled the unanimous opinion OF that
Court, to be a power constutonally authorized by
the General Government and if that did not set
tie the question: they had no Constitution. When
he was asked 10 reopen the arena, and I'M
settle the question: he must withhold his assent He
was constrained by the most imperous duty, and he
could not concede it on his conscience. But, any
question of mere xpedency, he would be the last man
that would drive another from the war. He believed
in concession; but when they surrendered the great
foundations on which property itself rested mere
notion of making property more secure, he could not
act on any such principles lie asked to give up
he nd he nj
jects which the fathers OF the Constitution had in
coming together, and To give up all the lights of legis-
lave experience and the opinions of the greatest
and patriots, lie was simple plain ploughuan, and
he could not shut his eyes to the decisions Of the Su-
preme Court Of the country, unanimously made. 1t
was surrendering too much, and he must appeal to
the generosity of the Senator from Virginia to
him from making this compromise.
Mr., ARCHER addressed the Senate at great length,
and from the position which he occupied mpossi
BILE to give but slight sketch of his remarks, a he
indstinctly heard. He said he was willing that
the doctrine of the Constitution, understood in
Virginia should be explained by his colleague; but
he bold say that if these his doctrines he
should not be the expounder for him and his State
His honorable colleague had made several propositions
to which he gave his entire concurrence. w hat
the conclusion to which his honorable colleague had
arrived 7 1t not only that it incumbent
uron them TO support some form of Bank of the
United States, but particular form which had been
put before them by the Secretary OF the Treasury and
now again in the amendment presented by his col
league
The object of his rising was to show why he was
obliged with full perception of the motives by which
his honorable colleague had been actuaed, to refuse
compliance. 1t was no longer secret in this House
or the country-heTe were two propositions for
Bank reported from committee and the
other presented by the Secretary of the Treasury.
These two were in collision. And what were the
considerations adduced TO recommend to their favor
the plan proposed by his honorable colleague
He believed he would be justified in asking whether
there single gentleman this floor who
would maintain that position. Why, then, when
they had reason to believe that portion of the Cabi
net had dissented from that peculiar position, why
it pressed upon this body 1t was because
it the scheme of the President. lie asked OF the
several gentlemen, highly talented and learned who
had advocated this PLAN whether the Senate had
heard any thing like an argument from any one of
them. No, they had heard nought but implora-
ton and that the ground which they
pressed one of the most important measures, which
was to work for long time to come for eminent
veal or wo. They were mpored for a reason, though
they understood very we'll which the very advocates
Of this scheme would not name, to give up their judy
ments and convictions TO adop, this plan
he had other objections TO this scheme, which he
would not support-there were some things which he
would not do, and he would not from any considera-
tons come here and act under the influence OF such
tyeshc would not act questions of great practical
concern submitted to him of the Senators of the
United States for any President that ever had heen
or would be in the United States. This being the
aspect Of the case, let Us the considerations on
which the gentleman had indicated this amendment
and the motive by which gentlemen on this floor were
actuatcd. He then referred to question which had
been propounded by the Senator fIom Kentucky, and
the answer to which the Senator from Massachusetts
had withheld as being out of order.
Mr.. CLAY said that the Senator from Massachu-
sets, MIR Choate,) with posveness, had said he
knew that they would have no Bank this session un
less they took the plan offered TO us in the amend
Mr.. CIIOATE said that he acted as a practical
man. and believed that other plan would be agreed
this session.
Mr. CLAY said, the Senator stated it much more
positively than now He did not know how he got
his Inf. lnnr facts fr1,rn