Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1841-08-24
MESSAGE

IVA AAAOh1LAOA
From the President ofhe United States,
rssHrning, Nth his objections, the Bill
to incorporate the Fiscal Bank of the
United StGteS-AUG. l6, lS4l.
To The Senate Of The United States:
The bill entitled San Act to incorpo-
rate the subscribers TO the Fiscal Bank of
the United States," which originated in
the Senate--has been considered by
me, with sincere desire to conform nv
action in regard to it, to that of the two
Houses ofCongress. By the Constitu-
ton it is made my duty, either to ap.
prove the bill by signing, or to return it
with my obiections,to the House in which
ii originated. ! cannot conscienciously
give it my approval; and proceed to dis.
charge the duty required ofme by tho
constiluton-to give my reasons for dis.
approving.
The power Of Congress to create Ma.
tonal Bank 10 operate per Sc over the
Union, has been a question of dispute
from the origin of our government -
Men most justly and deservedly esteemed
for their high intellectual endowments,
their virtue, and their patriotism, have in
regard to it, entertained different and con-
flictng opinions. Congresses have diff.
fered. The approval of one President
has been followed by the disapproval of
another, The people at different times
have acquiesCed Sin decisions both for
and against The country has been and
still is deeply agitated by this unsettled
question. Il will suffice for me tc saw,
that my own opinion has been uniformly
proclaimed TO be against the exercise Of
any such power by this government
On all suitable occasions, during period
oftwenly five years, the opinions thus
entertained have been unreservedtr ex.
pressed. declared it in the Legislature
efmy native State, In the House ofRep.
resentatves of the United States it has
been openly vindicated BY me. In the
Senate Chamber, in tie presence and
hearing OF many who are at this time
members ofthat body,it has been affirmed
aud rea6rmOd, in speeches and reports
there made, and by votes there recorded.
In popular assemblies I have unhesitating-
ly pronounced it: and the last public de-
claralion which made, aud that but n
short time before the late Presidential ell.
eCtion,I referred to my previously ex.
pressed opinions aS being those then en-.
tertaiued by me.
With a full knowledge of the opinions
thus entertained, and never concealed | !
was elected by the people Vice President
OF the United States. BY the occurrence
of a contingency provided for by the
Constitution, and arising under an i'm
pressive dispensation Of Providence, | |
succeeded to the presidential office. Be.
fore entering upon The duties Of that
office, took an oath that would "pre.
serve, protect, and defend the Const,u.
ton ofthe U, States" Entertaining the
opinions alluded to, and having taken this
oath, the Senate and the country will see
that could not give my sanction 10
measure Of the,character described, with.
ont surrendering all claim to the respect
ofhonorable men--all confidence on the
part ofthe peoPle--all self respect-aII
regard for moral and religions obligations,
without an observance Of which no gov.
ernment can be prosperous, and no peo-
pie can be happy. 1t would be TO com.
NIT crime which I would not wilfuIly
commit TO gain any earthly reward,
and which would justly subject me to the
rdiCue and scOrn ofall Virtuous men.
deem il entirely unnecessary at this
ime to enter upon the reasons which |,
lave brought my mind TO the convictions
feel and entertain on this subject. They
lave been over and over again repeated. |.
fsome Ofthose who have preceded me in
his high office have entertained and avow-
d different opinions, | yield all confidence
hat their convictions were sincere. /,
lain only TO have tho same measure met
out to myself. Without going further s
ITO the argument, will say that, in look I
e 10 the powers Of this government TO I
ollect, safely keep, and disburss the g
ublc revenue, and incidentally to regu- t
tie the commerce and exchanges, have
Of been able to satisfy myself that the $
by this Government of a I,
INK of discount, in the ordinary accepta- 9
Na1