Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-07
No. 2f.

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| kind. Bntif they do, it is impossible for ne to
doubt the issue Of such contest.
Are we sure that it we pass Bank, whose OPP
eratons are wholly dependent Upon the separate
movement OF twenty.sx States, we shall secure
the desired rcposc? fear not. fear that such
an institution will be but the commencement Of
our Bank troubles; be but the vesbue Of the
Bark controversy. We shall throw among the
people new apple Of diScoyd. All the old pre-
iu1iccs against Bank will be revived, and they
will be aggravated and augmented by the new
questions and new issues with which this perous
scheme is surrounded. Can power be derived to
the General Government directly or indirectly,
by the consent Of State! Shall the Slates con.
sent to the admission Of branches! With or with.
out conditions! Shall they be received without
being liable to the same tax as the local Banks
pay? Stall the Bank be allowed to plant them
wherever i; pleases, in a State Or at a CITY, to be
designated by the Legislature! These and other
questions may agtlte and distract this people from
Maine to Louisiana. They will absorb all other
political questions and, lapprehend, completely
engross the public mind. | irGmble at the con.
sequences, and no man can ioresee the final issue
Of such a tremendous struggle.
What is 10 be done in this unpleasant state Of
things? The path Of duty lies broad, clear and
straight before US. We have convictions, strong
and mistaken convictions Of what ought TO be
done. And these convictions coincite with the
| opinions and wishes Of the people. The theory
Of our Government, the spirit Of all free nstitu.
tons, and the genius Of liberty, nculcate that the
! Legislative and Executive Departments Of Gov.
! eminent should be independent and uncontrolled
in their respective spheres Of action, the one By
the other. Can we give up our deliberate judg.
mens TO mere presumption of what may be the
judgments of others? No, sir, that is too great
sacrifice to ask Of independent freemen, represen
ting independent and enlightened freemen Our
true course is, to mature the measure according to
all the lights Of our understanding, and to the de-
| liberate dictates Of our best judgments, and trans
nit it as perfect as in our best consciences, can
make it, to the coordinate branch of tie Govern.
ment. Upon receiving it. his duties, his respon.
sblity, his rights Will accrue; and among them
the most precious is, that Of examining the meas
ure with all the freedom and independence which
belong TO his high station.
Let us hope for concurrence between the two
departments Of Government; but il there should
not be, their disagreement will not be the greatest
Of public calamtes-a greater would be vo.un.
tary surrender or sacrifice Of the Conscientious
JuuSll!eIl hNu COlISVLulOHdL Iut pcIueliCe U! INT
one to the other. If, after both have acted, there
should be any development of a difference Of opin-
ion between them, the exact point of difference
will be seen; and then, in spirit Of mutual Iibe.
rality and concession some measure may possibly
be devised which will obviate all difficulties.
will not anticipate any disagreement in opinion
between the Legislative and Executive authori.
ties, but if it should unfortunately occur, it will
Ia he frs-i f tIa /. irI hi
| Bank subject, in our history. IF, in the midst OF
disastrous war, President Madison and Con.
gress could not agree, as TO proper orgaui cation
OF Bank Of the United States, ana their disagree.
ment does not seriously affect the public interests,
surely, if unfortunately we must, hope we may
differ in a season of profound peace, in respect
to the proper constitution Of such an institution,
without the inAiction Of any iremcdable evil up.
on our country.
Mr.. PRESTON. following MIR. Clay, said
most earnestly hope, Mr.. President, that the
amendment proposed By the Senator from Viz
ginia will receive the sanction of this body.
have given 10 it all the reflection which its impor
lance demands, and it is the clear conviction O
my judgment that, all circumstances considered
We ought 10 concur in lis adoption.
In consideration Of this subject il is iud.S7cn
sable to look at the position in which the majority
is placed; aud to be governed in our decision hy
practical results, rather than by theoretical opiu
ions.
What, sir, are tie circumstances by which sc
are surrounded! After Il stu Gle unexamp,ed in
the history OF parties, IN which, ior series 0
| years, opposing principles WeI. arGayed Goaius
each other, the last battle has been ou-a, and The
victory won: the people have pronounced the con
! CcMualiOn yt those measures which have beer
here 50 long and strenuous. y resisted; and il now
becomes our duty 10 carry their vii, mo effect
The ncompetency O! tie State Banks to SUD
serve tue purposes OF the Government, eqga2.
exchanges, and furnish currency. Of unborn
value, throughout the Union, was brought in h.
late canvass prominently before the people. anc
urged with great ability; and although the iuclina
ton OF my ludgacnl was in favor OF lair eynef
iulent OF this system under proptous crcunstan
ces, it seems to be the opinion Of high authority
that the people have pronounced its coudemaa
lion.
That the Subtrcasury system las also been
universally and unequvocaily condemned, car
admit Of no doubt 1t has fallen byits owl
weight, and carried those with it who brought i
into being.
The necessity for some Bank agency in car
rying on the commercial exchanges OF the coun
Try was, however, among the Wing party, uni
vorsally admitted myself could not doubt i,
1t would be Just as rational 10 loGego the i'm
provement OF society, and adhere 10 the use o
an obsolete language as now, in a Commercial
age and commercial country, as 10 adhere, cy
cIusively, TO a metallic currency, and lorego tn
facilities OF banking agencies, Banks, in som
form have become as INDISPENSABLE IN the com