Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-11-17
ton has been rendered worse than useless BY unust-

tended chamoons ii The grea, commercial interest
have shown the extraordinary influence by vanqu'shna
this constitutional rssircison bu. The wisdom OF .at
prohibition has been manifested by the pefnc'o"S g!
iecs which have followed the victory.
The remarks ia reference TO paper issues by banks
deriving theif charters from The State Legislatures
apply with equal force TO the notes OF BANK OF The
States, with this additional ob)ecton-hal the iat'e
can, manner, he suhjsc!sd 10 the control OF The
State authorities. No matter wat Inc abuse OF lts
corporate franchise hy Bank of the United States II
Is irresponsible iircn.. The great political influence
which such an institution able 10 exert, should De
objection 10 incorporates b. every citizen who Is
opposed 10 The srhcciIon Of the Government 10 mo
neved control. The only pre!cx Tor -, that u may
be an auxiliary 20 the Government and the people az
fnenciai AID conmercia! agent Experience has
proven, TINT the Government not dependent on rs
a,d-aS, little needed, Ia equals2e commercial ex-
change indeed II cannat effect that object. Exchange
was as high 10 oppressive period oil commercial re
WILSON, during The existence 81 the late charter, as Il
been any time SINCE It's expiration, and although
the country has not yet entirely recovered from The
distress which that Bank had lis share of agency IN
producing, exchange has gone down to rate which
conld be reduced under the auspices of such IN
stitution As National Bank is not necessary as a
financial agent, regulator OF exchange, where
fore shall BE- established: Il has afforded ia
ces accommodations to the great mass OF the
people, and if hopes inspired that such Will be the
practice of new institutions, they are ial'acious and
cannot be realized. Bu. the great objections TO Bank
the u. the oil expectancy, is Tue coHhek.
ION of an institution with the Government winch has
the powe. Of distributing pecuuary lavors The wis
dom of public depends the purity and in
teligence Of the Representatives OF the People. If
they are corrupt the rights of the people will be dsre
oarded, and legislation directed to selfish ends Tine
Government ought never, therefore, to establish as an
auxiliary 10 ITS operatIoGs, institution with whose
existence are necessarily blended the means OF cor
rupiion and abuse. That II may not be pro5uted 10
vile purposes, argument its favor. That /, can
L. No. nnn
be orgotten that late National Bank charged
with agency IN producing "Ihc commercial ein5ar
rassment and distress, which few years since over
spread couatry, and have lett their marks OF desc
laon every where; with having used It's corporate
power and 10 control the press, 10 interfere IN
politics and Influence ee tons. A select committee
was raised by OF the Houses o. Congress, 10 en-
qnee these things and To Investigate hat abuses,
corfuptions nIa practices had existed III the manage
of the Bank. The obs;ructioas thrown IN the way
OF The investigation ty the Bank which ultimately DE-
teated amidst observations o; Innocence and purity,
recorded the archives OF the nation Great sens
veness lr tuii0nai rights OF the citizen against
search {, made the apology 10. resisting scrutiny
which must have de reloped the msdoings and abuses
which time forced IL public view, notwithstanding the
effort conceal them under OF State charter
Had the vigorous of Bringing before the bar
OF the House the offending and contsmptuous d'rec
tors, been adopted recommended by The majority
of the committee, and the investigation prosecuted,
Of the disasters which Tell on widows and orphans
whose entire funds had been invested IN the stock,
might have been averled The iabored and extfaor-
binary defence of The Bank, by the minority OF the
committee exhibits IN strong light The powerful
huence capable OF eXertIng The report Of that
minority acknowledges the alarming principle, tha,
corruptlons abuses, and maj practices, IN lis manage
nent, violation of its charter. This fearful
admission ought excite the suspicious OF all, and
beget universal opposition 10 an Institution, whose
proceedings are be covered from scrutiny, upon
principles adverse to public morality, popular
rights and liberty. To the gran; of every charter,
is annexed ;acil condition. that the persons incorpo
rated will act with fidelity aud honesty; and breach
OF ,hls - H.! condition IS much violation OF the
charti a. us condition had been expressed |
Bssidss, Congo had the unquestona5ie power, 10
repeal the Incorporation, and thus, put end
IL ITS existence II Bank charter TO be considered
contract, CcnEIeas Suhcc 20 no restriction which
dsari.s of the power @! annulliag 1t. The COAST
,uitonal prohibition The States no. 10 Congress
TINS principle r4I,eUisiy asserted but The power
abuslvely exercised, late by the Senate OF the
United States IN ahrogatng contract with ITS printer
III the power OF repeal upqGosionable, then ei;her
House OF Congress had the right, without referring 10
The charter Tor The authority 10 inqnnc into suspected
buses, 10 ascertain whether the principle Of justice
landed Tie repeal, and so the committee might have
ma AIMED. Tn power OF repeal, admit, ought to
be ;ouslF exercised, and never, where good faith
La observed and private rlghts might be affected
b. it, un,s, individuals notified before they commit
tLe Interests, that cha Ie oil public policy might effect
ii. nal Bank protest against any act Tor the
pnrd,ion OF one, and their intention to
repeal, whenever prospect for carrying II, would
Justify Tie effort, none would have right 10 CON- |
pidin.
Butu National Bank IS not the only prominent, mea.
OF the Federal Government influencing the des,,
MES Of the people which attracts public attention, and
IS entitled to .Our notice.
4 Protective Tariff which collects around i, other
measures me'tng general Tepro5auon, nugs' IN the
people oi ali classes, aad every section OF ths cou:ry,
except those who Gre cugared manufactures Every
consumer a contributor 10 greater or lees extent.
A radical objection n the MEASURE IN lis opposition I
10 the principles en- which oil, Government j. esia
bi*hed-an association tor mutual support aad rro:cc
ton amongst ourselves and !Gr defence agans, wrongs
from others An act OF unequal legislation is assau |
th,s pruciqr, and iuicts injustice upon ;Fose
whoa the inequality affects Protector of any article
OF manufacture be Justified The ground alone,
that the pfott ct,ou equally beneficial all when
Tie object OF protection which Strengthens the
national tor the protection and defence Of every
interest Al are interested IN raising The nation above
dependence on foreign supplies for and mum |
tons al war, aud Indispensable articles for the army,
and all contributions for such things contributions
IN "hch every individual IN broad confederacy Is
interested, hni when protection asked for articles
winch i"i ct ths prime necessity, the injustice 10
demanded ~ lfc'uE The arrcultur.st and ,he mocha
nc to pr: consideration for which they receive
equivalent brile it, Should the prnc,pa of protec-
Clans, c'eEgymen teachers end though les not least
orr irmets, all their products, it would
sho,n The common sense Of the Whole community.
4 I'd vet caur.. that they are in any respect
ted to less .'vor from the Governn>:: i11it ,hc ma
uu!acturers la Jis the las, address that snail pfo-
bag ever make 10 The repre- en'aves of the peop!e 81
Georgia, embrace ths solemn warning against Tie
rasd'ous and destructive policy The mahuiacturc.
cannot complain Of ITS abandonment. lie has been
aided by the Governmen, with ra?abe injustice to
other interests, through infancy aud weakness, no,
only 20 sell sustaining strength, bat 10 great power
have now, feliow-citizens, su5nii!ed 10 you such
information, IN regard Il the eeus II M consii
tutioaal duty Ia communicate, With The recommends
ton of such as IN ~ op.aon, demanded
by The public good They commended 10 youf cen
siaeration. In the execution of your nigh dues, you
lave superior but God, and the constitutions ii the
country In rendering Obedience 10 the DIVINE wall,
your acts will necessarily be in conformity 10 tie para
mount Law; and, according 10 the wisdom, justice aud
moderation OF your measures Will they exer, an ipiu.
lo good upon those tor whore benefit they wall be
adopted. CHARLES J. MCDONALD.