, 1844-12-14
Vol. IV.--No. 6.

was IN favor OF limiting the ISSUES
Of our bank, when that institution
was chartered, to notes of . denOml-
nation not less than ten dollars. On
this subject, my opinion has under
gone no change, except to; be streng-
thened in the propriety Of the limita-
tioG; yet | have always considered
that we did ourselves great injustice
in denying TO our own bank 4 privi-
lege which we permitted the banks
of all our sister States 10 exercise.
To permit the circulation of ire
deenable paper within the limits of
our State, seems to me to open a door
for the practice Of immense frauds
upon the people of the State, with
out any reasonable expectation of
good from the risks we encounter.
But am compelled to recommend
no action upon these subjects. l do
not believe they have been sufficient
ly investigated by the people. In the
late canvass, so far as | was concern.
ed, no issue was made upon them.-
They were urged upon me in public
discussions, and | advised that they
should be left for future investigation.
| believe that the public will is not
settled in their favor, and with me
that is sufficient against recommend
ing any action on the subject. But
Of course you understand better the
will Of your respective constituents
than il is possible for me to do, and
that will, you no doubt will attempt
to execute. / shall interpsse no OBJ
stacle to the execution of that will.
But Of equal importance, and still
greater magnitude, is another ques-
ton which has sprung out Of the at
tempts to pass laws 10 regulate the
currency. This question is, whether
a law passed by a clear majority of
both branches of our Legislature, and
operating upon every man. and every
part of the community alike, shall be
nuIlified by any past of the communi-
ty which may deem that Jaw preju-
dIcial to their interests.
Threats have been made to disre-
gard, set at defiance. and trample IN
der foot, any law which the Legisla-
ture may pass to regulate the curren-
cy. If any portion of the people
have a right to nulIjfy a law upon the
subject Of the currency, then they
have an equal right to nullify any 9TH
er law. If any n neighborhood
has the right TO set at defiance that
law which it deems odious. then eve-
ry other neighborhood has the same
right. If every neighborhood has
the right to set at defiance, the par
ticular law which it deems odious,
then we had as well abandon our
government, and all law and order,
submit ourselves to an archy and mis-
rule.
But to our credit greatly, the spir-
it of disobedience and resistance to
established law, has rarely manifest
ed itself, TO any extent, in our State.
1t is to be regretted, that this spirit is
growing rather too common in some
other places; but in our State, the
great majority Of the people are so.
bel and discreet, mild and prudent,
industrious and frugal. honest and vir-
tuous, and above all, the lovers Of
good order and peace in. society.-
With such people, whatever may
be the threats of a few, it seems that
a faithful execution OF the laws, must
meet with an irresistible support
And as far as possible, the laws will
be faithfully executed.
Bad laws should not be passed.
No law should be passed which will
not operate upon every man, and
every part Of the community alike.
Every bad law in force should be
promptly repealed. No reason
should lie allowed to exist for diso5ey-
ing or resisting the law. But all the
laws in force should be sacredly OBJ
served and faithfully executed, until
repealed by the Legislature, or aeci.
ded by the proper tribunal to be un-
constitutional. Man does not show
himself fully capable Of selfgovern-
ment until he can submit TO the re-
straints imposed by the laws enacted
a majority Of his fellow citizens
Till man can do this, the community
in which he lives is in constant dan.
ger of riots and MODS, and all the
evils, outrages and atrocities wb:chh
90 hand in hand with violent breach
es Of the law. 1t is better in all cas-
es, as long as law is continued in ex--
and not declared to be un--
constitutional, to let it take its usual
Evils that are endless and
.ruinoes must grow out Of any other
course, and the seal OF public con-
should be stamped, ia tho