The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-23
lCmre.pond.nce ofNle Brnalo Dailu Ga:ettel
Nacancy.

Correspondence ofihe Buffalo Daily Ga-ette)
WASHINGTON, Oct 10, lS43.
That the establishment of National Bank is one
Of the promi articles in the creed Of the po
liica friends Of Mr. Clay forming what is called the
"Whig party proper" is fact which no ole, pro
badly, pretends to dispute.
In defence of their continued attachment TO, and
advocacy Of Bank Of the United States the friends Of
Mr.. Clay appeal to the political revolution of 1910,
and assert that by the election Of General Harrison,
large majority OF the people of the Union expressed
themselves in favor of the recharter of that nsttu
ton.
Let us refer back to the election Of Is TO- and cx-
anime whether the issues then made, and the crcum-
stances under which the election conducted,
Justify such inference the part Of Mr. Clay or
his political friends.
General Harrison was not elected to the Presden
cy by the hig party nor by the advocates of United
States Bank. The great opposition party, first or
ganized in 1885, and reaching the zenith of its power
IN 1910, composed of various, and, TO some ex-
tent, discordant materials. All who dissatisfied
with.the existing state Of thngs-al who, suffering
under the endorsements Of the period, looked and
looked in VAIN to the government for relief, joined
together and together, 10 effect change of mon
aud change Of policy.
Democratic Administration had held the reins
Of power for period of nearly twelve years. Dur
ing that time the people had enjoyed what seemed to
be unexamped prosperity, but which speedily
followed by the necessary consequence OF oyerradng
and inflated paper currency, extreme depression and
embarrassment. Those who suffered from the con-
sequences of mercantile gambling speculations
(and few were not directly indirectly to be num-
bered among the yiciims) looked to the government
for relief.
Such being the state Of feelings among large por.
ton OF the people who eagerly sought Tor any change
which might relieve them from the embarrassment
under which they obOred it was easy task to in
duce vast majority 10 vote for General Harrison
the candidate of the GREAT OPPOSITION PARTY.
To this we must add the generous enthusiasm which
leads every warm hearted people TO cast their SUI
iragcs in favor of one who has brsyely fought the
battles of bis country, and she'd blood in the defence
of her liberties.
This the whole secret Of the matter. The
people suffered and they wanted change. Under
the existing administration they found no relief and
they determined to try new one. The military ar
dor Of many was excited, and they resolved TO choose
hero for their President
But although the majority Of the great opposition
party were not IN favor of government bank-a
segment Of that party-a segment too, which, though
the least in numbers appeared TO rule the whole and
IN whose name the campaign was conductcd-ie
Wig party proper certainly was the advocate Of
such an institution. What line Of policy they deter.
mined, or at least profesScd 10 pursue, can be best
asccrtaincd 10y reference 10 their great apostle
Henry Clay.
When Mr. Clay brought forward his plan for fifty
million Bank in the Senate, in 1888, lac made use of
the following language
81 should regret TO Bank established, unless
wS clearly called tor by public opinion. believe It
IS now desired by majority Of the people Of the L.
). But of that there does not exist perhaps any con
elusive evidence. Let as tcaii until demonstration, Il
their ,riH shall BE- clearly giren and let as all submit
and tor one, shall most ch,etiy, 10 their dec ron
,rhat,rer Il may BE- "-Reported IN Nat lntelgcncer
May ~, 1885
Mr.. Clay here clearly agrees TO postpone the ques-
ton OF a bank, until the people should give uncqui-
vocal demonstrations IN It's favor.
The great opposition party composed as il was OF
various elements determined TO select candidate
Tor the Presidency BY convention to which dele
gates should be sent from all the States The Ma.
uonal Convention accordingly held at Harris
burg Mr. Clay the fsyorile candidate Of the
wings proper, or bank men. Foremost in the lists as
the champion and defender Of hat institution during
series OF ycars-staudng at the head Of his parti-
GUAR party-of great talents and distinguished re-
puation, lac was Of course the man OF all others
most calculated to advance the views Of those who
were, like himself committed TO National Bank
But The advocates OF Bank, not forming a majority
of the people, Of the opposition party we're OF
course IN minority at the Harrisburg Convention
and Mr. Clay was consequently nominated for the
Presidency
The majority Of the Convention, faithfully repre-.
senng large majority Of the great opposition party
m their aversion to National Bank found il neces
say to look elsewhere for their candidate and in Sc.
lectng General Harrison, they chose one whose often
repeated opinions against the cons,ilutionality of
Bank OF the u. 5. could leave no possible doubt of
his future course that subject in the minds Of the
well-iniormed aud intelligent gentlemen who com.
posed the National Convention
On this branch Of our subject it may be well to
dwell with some particularly. And frstl will quote
an extract from manuscript letter now before me,
signed by Messrs, Darid Guinne, C. Urighi q M
Spencer, and Rufus Hodges, dated Cincinnati Feb Is
leiO, the original Of which is at your service, MIR
Editor II the correctness Of my quotation should be
disputed
Your letter Of the 26th ult, addressed TO General
Harrison has been placed in our possession with a
view 10 an early answer SO numerous are the calls
upon the General from every section of the u. s..
That his reply IN person has been rendered impraot