Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1843-05-20


opposed, on party principles, let me ask if,
on the other, it has not been advocated on
similar principles2 Where is the Mace
DOMAIN phaIanx, the opposition in Con-
gress2 believe, sir, | shall not incur
the charge of presumptuous prophecy,
when | predict, we shall not pick up from
its ranks one single straggler! And if
on this occasion, my worthy friend from
Georgia has gone over IN the camp of the
enemy, it is kind in him TO look back upon
his former friends, and rebuke them for
the infdelity with which they adhere to
their old principles
shall not stop TO examine how far a
representative is bound by The instruction
of his constituents. That is a question be-
tween the giver and receiver of the ip-
structlons. But | must be permitted to
express my surprise at the pointed differ
ence which has been made, between the
opinions of State legislatures, and the de-
putations with which we have been sur
rounded from Philadelphia. Whilst the
resolutions OF those cglslatures-known,
legitimate, constitutional and deiberatiye
bo1ies-have been thrown into the back
ground, and there interference regarded
as officious, these delegations from self
created societies, composed of nobody
knows whom, have been received by the
Committee with the utmost ompaisancc.
Their communications have been trea-
sured up with the greatest diligence
Never did The Del pho priests collect with
more wholly care the frantic expressions of
the agitated Pythia. or expound them with
more solemnity TO The astonIshed Grecian,
than has the committee gathered the opn-
ions and testimonies OF these deputies
and, though the gentleman from Massa.
chusets, detailed them to The Senate =
Philadelphia has her immediate Represen-
tatives, capable OF expressing her wishes,
upon the floor of the other House. If il be
improper for States to obtrude upon Con-
gress their sentiments, it is much more
highly so for the unauthorized deputies 'f
lorrdltous congregations.
The first singular feature that attracts
attentionlin this bill, is the new and unc' n.
stitutional veto which it establishes. The
Constitution has required, only, that ofer
bills have pissed the house of Representa-
tves and the Senate, they shall be pre-
sen,ed to the President for bis approval or
rejection, and his determination is to be
made known in ten days. But this I'LL
provides, that when all the constitutional
sanctions are obtained, and when accord
ing 10 the usual routine of legislation, 1t
ought TO be considered as a law, it is to be
submitted to a new branch of the legsa-
ture, consisting Of the President and lwen-
ty four directors CT the Bank OF the United
States, holding their sessions in Philadel'
phia, and if they please to approve 1t, why
then i, is TO become law! And three
months (the term allowed by our law OF
MAY last, to one Of the great bellIgeren's,
for eyoking HIS edicts, after the other shall
have repealed his) are granted them, to de-
eide whether an act of Congress shall he
the law of the land or not! An act which
is said TO be indispensably necessary to our
salvation, and without the passage ct
which, universal distress and bankruptcy
are to pervade the country Remember,
Sir, that the honorable gentleman from
Georgia has ccntcnded, that this charter is
no contract. Does it, then become the
Representatives of the nation to be al the
mercy of q corporation! OIght the I'm.
pending culamities to be left to the hazard
of contingent remedy !
This vagrant power to erect bank, al
ter huving wandered throughout the whole
Constitution, in quest OF some congeniai
spot to fasten upon, has been at length To-
Gated by the gentleman from Georgia, on
that provision which authorizes Congress
to lay and collect taxes, &c. In 1871,
the power is referred 10 one part OF the IN
strument; in 1911, TO another. Some
times il is alleged TO lie dcduciblc from the
power to regulate commerce. Hard pres
sed here it disappears, and shows Itself I'M
der the grant to coin money. The saga
cious Secretary OF the Treasury in 1891,
pursued the wisest course-he has taken
shelter behind general, high sounding and
imposing terms. lie has declared, in the
preamble 10 the act establishing the bank,
it will be very CONCLUSIVE TO the successful
conducting ofthe national frances; will
tend to give facility to the obtaining OF
loans, and will he productive of consldera-
Bile advantages to trade and industry in
general. No aluslJn is made to the col
lection Of taxes. What is the nature of
this Government 1t is cmphltica!ly
Federal, vested with an aggregate OF specI-
fled powers for general purposes conceded
by existing soveregniies, who have them
selves retained what is not 81 conceded
1t is said, that there are cases in which it
must act on implied powers. This is not
controverted, but the implication must be