The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-02-23
Speech Of HEr. Francis,
or HAYWOOD,
on TIE RESOLUTIONS RESPECTING

MIR. Speaker, When | gave way las
"VeninH for the motion to adjourn, theI
embarked, that ii was our deliberate inten
ion 20 bring the House 10 direct vote OF
the question now pending, as ii was appa
rent, the dominant party here were endeav
orlng 10 evade response 10 The proposition
OF the Stockholders Of the Dauk TO this G.
neral Assembly. VIVA, is lha, proposition
Under the Charter OF the Bank of the State
, three iiths of the capital stock is owned by
, private individuals, and the other two 9th
}. by the State. At the General Annua
Meeting held in this City on the second in
stant, the Stockholders resolved unanimous
Iy, "f i. be the pleasure Of the Genera
Assembly Of the State Of North Carolina IL
/ instruct the Representative of the State in
the General Meeting OF the Stockholders OF
said Bank, 10 propose the adoption Of such
measures as NAV be necessary tor closing
the business Of said Bank, and dividing the
capital stock, among the propretors there.
OF, at as early day as IS consistent with
the security of the d bis aud reasonable in.
diligence TO The debtors, the Bank will con.
cur therein" Tho response proposed 10 be
given to this resolution, is in the following
words Here Mr.. Francis read The reso
luIions offered BY Mr.. Cad. Jones, of Or.
ange, heretofore published in the Journal. |
Now, sir, II is eyiden, from the wording
of these resolutions, Intended as a response
10 the iuterrogatory of the Stockholders,
that the objec! ofthe framer ofths response,
was an evasion of the question, and by
studied equyocation Of expression, 10 en-.
deavor TO avoid the responsibility oc di
rect answer to a simple and plain PROPOSE.
/ lion, addressed TO this House in the mos,
courteous language. have therefore, sir,
offered an amendment TO the resolutions Of
the gentleman from Orange, giving direct
( response in the negative, 10 the resolution
of inquiry Of the Stockholders. Ny friend
from Cabarrus, (Mr. Barringer,) proposes
40 amendment, to the amendment, conaln.
ing response 10 the affirmative go that
the Democratic party will now be brough,
/ to assume the responsibility Of direct vote,
upon the question which they have, by eve.
ry species Of qulbbling and subtertuge, stu.
dlously endeavored TO avoid. Before the
question ia taken, however. Notwithstanding
this debate has occupied already much time,
| must claim the Indulgence Of The House,
while call the attention Of members more
particularly 10 the vast importance Of The
vote they are about TO cast. imagine, sir,
that no question, since the foundation Of
our Government, Of as great magnitude, or
one that so deeply affects the vital interest
of the great mass Of The people Of this State,
has at any period, been presented for Leg
Islatve action. No one, sir, can conceive
Of the dire distress and pecuniary embar
rassment, which must inevitably follow from
suspension Of The operations Of the Bank
at this time, the consequent withdrawal Of
its notes from circulation, and an effort to
enforce the collection of its debts, necessa
ry TO tie closing the business Of that in.
stItution.
But we are told, il Isl mere ruSe on the
part Of the Wing Stockholders, for polti.
cal effect and we are gravely asked, how
the Wings out Of doors are SO anxious for
winding up the concern, and the Wings in !
the House, opposed to H. aud i, is argued, !
that parry who has heretofore acted in
concert, would not thus so far disagree, but !
from motives Of policy, &c. think can
answer for myself, and 10 doing so, pre-. |
sumo shall answer for each individual Of
tina; party, Of which have the honor Of
being member. The Wing Stockholders
in the Bank, as well as the Democrats, for
see their resolution is unanimous, find
that under the present pressure, aud from
the course pursued by the dominant party
in this House, towards the Banks in this
State, they can, by getting the immediate
control of their capitsl, use /, much more
probably, than TO let It remain in an inst
tuition, against the credit of which all the
force Of popular prejudice aud party feeling |
is sought TO be aroused and directed -
Whereas the Wing party in this House,
any personal interest they may |
have in the matter, flor understand some
of them are stockholders and looking with
an eye single to the great conservative in |
terests of their constituents, uniedly resist
any attempt TO check The circulation Of the |
issues Of the Banks or destroy their useful |
ness, well knowing the distress and penury |
which will inevitably follow any attempt to
wind up this concern al the present crisis. |
But we arc told il is all mere brdpddo-a |
threat on the part of the Bank, made to
awe the Democratic party in this House
tina, the Bank has no design IN reality of
closing the affairs aud surrendetrng the /
Charter; but ask members not to be de
ceived BY such sPecious defamation. |
perceive thai tins resolution was passed by
the unanimous vote of the Stockholders, S.
| have some personal acquaintance With
many of the gentlemen who compose that
body, aud know them TO be wholly n'apa |
BILE Of any such conduct as that attributed
to them BY the dominant party on this floor. |
Members would do well 10 guard against |
being entrapped by such sophisiry. can
assure the House, that these Stockholders
intend what they propose, that they have
weighed all the consequences OF their act,
and that the members Of this House viii,
ifthey vote for the amendment Of my friend