Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1842-12-27
For the IYhig.l
--r Raudo,pt, aud the virginia Banks.

rs,on r, IN. amendment of the majority of the Directory
of the Virginia Banks by the Executive This wouidoe-
loader of the Democratic party seems to have INDUCED the
ridiculous idea that any proposition however absurd or
nonstron having the sanction OF his name and authority
would he ,auey acquiesced by his brother Democrats
In this he finds himself most egregionsy msiaken-and
that Conservative portion OF that party have not us yet
lost all regard for the Constitution and laws OF the State
Feeling sensible, that the adoption of this suicidal scheme
proposed by Mr. RANDOLPH would involve the whole Com
m,nwcalth with themselves in one wide spread ruin, his
political associates made decided stand, and said in Ian
uaCc he misunderstood, "hus tar shalt thou CO. but
no farther In doing, they discharged their duty, for
which to ought and do receive the thanks OF the rejecting
portion every intelligent community, without distinction
of party.
The indecent and hot haste, with which the Committee
u which MIR. Randolph belonged peremptoy required
forthwith report bill to give the Executive power to sp-
pout majority the Directory of the Virginia Banks
well calculated make the members OF the House stand
aghast at the novel and singular proposition lie and hls
coadutorS have felt very comfortable at tins their
first nbor,ve effort exercise his high prorogave with his
political associates which has resulted in signal failure and
met with mcfited rebukc from his own party Tins
iucXcusabe blunder and false move should each MT H. 10
show more respect hereafter for the opinions OF Others,
not by taking council Of the whole Legislature at least that
part of which claims be the leader. If he plays
bold and reckless game, he viii dispose OF all ms
strong cards and the close OF the scene will lind himself
all alone his glory. He ought to know from his inter
course with mankind that human nature pretty much the
same whether Wing or Democrat and that altho he may
aroEate himself lofty pretensons OF political sagacy
wisdom, experience whlch ones equal
iy deserving with himself but of humber talents not
be disposed question: still they respectful regard
their opinions Breach of the prophecies OF ife
and disregard of the ordinary ciyes established among
mankind always do violence the feelings which is not
readily forgotten easily forgiven.
NJ Randolph and his clique have felt keenly the
awful disclosure made by the of the House, that his
effective numerical force only amounted, all told, to just
S1feen with which he carry his Legislative
paign The monuments of wisdom which he, no doubt
expected 10 with decisive democratic majority, so as
u nlorsze his patriot benetactor and states
man. will prove the unsubssna creations of dsempered
imagination, unless Tor the remainder OF his Legislative
his plans conceived with more WISDOM and matued
with more Judgment.
Common experience teaches all mankind receive with
great caution and dstrus the projects OF any one Who
could Gavey advocate which bears upon syery
such convincing evidences of ignorance and nbsurdy,
as the urged by Mr.. Randolph did Men who under
take considerable thngs IN regular way, ought TO
give us ground 10 presume ability. But the Physician OF
State who, satisfied with the of dstempers, under
takes regenerae the system of Finances and currency,
ought 10 show uncommon powers Some very unusual sp
pearanccs wisdom ought display themselves the face
Of the designs of those who appeal practice and who
copy model Has any such been manifested in the
proposed would certainly he difficult for any
dscover in this feature OF their financial projects that
poenous ability which may justify these bold undertakes
superiority which they 10 themselves oil
mankind. Our old Of currency and finance have
tried by their effects and the people have been happy
united wealthy and powerful under their operations We
have right 10 presume that good, from which good has
beea derived.
Al the finale OF this farccal and burlseque Le-
ls.aoa, the prudent part OF the Democratic party wisely
gave the goby this for the dsesses of suffer
c community stlHhey very justly required the hands
offs oginzior the painful and huniatng duty of taking
responsibility before the county, and mourning the odlum
81 founded much folly, and Taught with
!n1ch mischief the whole community.
Wc deem il almost insult the understanding of
the ordinary intellect TO shew the nefciency
of e measure proposed accomplish the desired objects;
re duest capacity the rOin political science ought
20 glance discover the folly of the plan. We did
suppose that any whatever Of even medium talents,
much less the representative OF old Abenare of the
intelligent and wealthy counties IN the State could ever be
% totally all VI The duties imposed upon by
law of social union, pretext whatever TO
coniscaie the goods OF single unoiendng citizen. Who,
but tyrant heart expressive of every thing which
viae and degrade human nature could think OF seizng
on the property of unaccused unhea and untred by
whole Glasses by hundreds and thousands together Such
would virtually be the consequence and effect OF placing the
vested ghs the stockholders of the Va Banks the feet
of an Exucut We officer whose well-known hostility all
banking institutions has acquired for him the reputation of
being hnrdmOney man. II the officers OF the banks have
sinned punishment upon their heads BY turning them
Of their Officer; do not perert usce so much TO 10y
the hand Of violence and plumber under the mockings and
forms Of law the property OF the unohendng stoekhold
What would be the consequences placing the banks un
der control any kind of Government whether Wing
or Democrat one, unless gifted with spt of prophecy,
could tell Itwoud certainly convert them into political
chimes which would defeat the very object Of their existence:
H writers political economy and science OF Government,
confirmed by history and the universal experience of man
kind in the opinion, that the money power let
under any form wArcye should be kept distinct sep
ura,e and as far apart from the powers Of government
posbe. The combined agency Of these active prnci
pss would always place the liberty, lives, and property Of
citizen the feet Of him who chosen hs guardian,
protector and oceT-bu, by an abuse and usurpaton Of
power h1s become his oppresor IL would increase the
power and patronage OF tho government go as 10 sap and
totally undermine the morals Of the peope aud God
that the Old Dominion, the cradle Of American liberty, may
never see the day. when any department Of government,
whether legislative executive or judicial snail undertake TO
plumber and rob the citizens Of their property Oi what i'm
port IL H. under what you injure and deprive
them Of the Just coluuent Of their labor, property money
f.~tu in tv n
coursged by TIC State engegc and upon the supposed
certainty Of which emoumcns they had formed the plan of
living, contracted debts and led muuudes TO an entire
dependence upon thom2
That the State should be represented in the directory Of
the banks in proportion it, stock Is reasonable and JUST
but that should undertake 10 alter modify the charters
would be effect vary the contract 10 accomplish which,
the consent Of all the contracting parties should be obancd
otherwise we who boastsO much Of freedom and justice,
would present the strange spectacle TO the world Of
which out justice by one rule TO ITSELF and by
another citizens. Where would this dangerous doc
time carry w. and what point would IL ,topl IL would
o. lay the the Of the OF civil liberty. II
had understood by the community az the time OF the
INCORPORATION Of the several banks that this right of altering
or annuug the contract, claimed and would be
cised by the government its pleasure what prudent
would his money in such stock We will venture to
ASSERT do1- could have been obtained; and II
90 a strange thnt foreign capitalists should withdraw their
funds us. with disiruss and suspcon and refuse lend
on any whatever when thus amper with the faith
Q; our government, both State and Federal.
The Banks. under penalty Of orieitng their chsrters
required last winter % the payment Of their
notes IN specie by tho let Nov 1872 they do 20, and in
order sustain thcmscyes. compelled 10 curai their
circulation AZ they compelled to pay their debts IL Is
bat reasonable that hsr debtors should pay them other
wise they must 20 O., tie wall When they 20
psn the desrcd object Of resumption, these very gentlemen
who have been camor0us IN docryng the Banks for not
rcsuming the fret to abuse them for doing what the law
required Thorn 10 do, oheh they Themselves passed. Is
not this tao bad7 In life q