The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-06-06

for our farmers at THIS time arc most unpfo-
missing.
n~7- Our esteemed fellow ..ctizen, Winchton
Risley, ESQ, has received the appointment of Post
Master at this place, and has entered upon the
discharge of his duties.
INDIVIDUAL LIABILITY OF BANKERS
THE INFLUENCE OF BANKS ON PUBLIC
MORALS, &c.
Will the Democracy content themselves with
simply adding to Kelly's State Bank Law the lndi-
vidual Liability clanse, or will they declare Banks
pernicious to public welfare and prosperity, ana
repeal it altogether? We hope they will decide
for unconditional repeal; it is the only safe resou-
ton. Individual liability has long enough been
a middle course, and bank reform war cry
If banks to exist, it is good principle and in
deed necessary one. 1t is protective; drec-
tors knowing their property to be holden
would be more guarded against dscountng large
sums to irresponsible favortes, while stock
holders would Sdesire to place honest and capable
men nthe management of banks. Had the prin-
ciple when embodyed ins the General Banking
Law of 1923 met with desire on the part of
bankers to carry it into practice, it was destined to
restore the institution to its legitimate uses, if in
deed it has any such.
Altogether it was an excellent principle, but
the bankers refused it utterly. Bank stock is
negotiable, and scoundrels they pleaded might
become their partners-a most dreaded result
then, but perfectly unobjectionable now-because
nobody is liable. Nevertheless it would appear
but reasonable that deriving profit from the in
vestment of their money, bankers might as well
bear portion of the hazard as the people, who
derive no benefit. But no-if banks were not ia
cities for freeplunder bankers would not bank
they would be fettered by no restrction-they
would be bound by no law which meted ut
equal Justice to them with their fellow citizens
They rejected the General Banking law, indivi-
dual liability and honesty for the liberal pro-
mise of Wing ascendency. Then they would get
all they wanted-the State and people to be dealt
with on their own terms.
The event has proved-that they understood the
wings. The bargain has been ratified Cautiously
they are preparing for the old game of fleeing the
people. And now have the Progressive" De-
mocracy nothing further to propose but the old
nauseous re ected dose! Bankers will not be res
ponsbe, and if common sense guides the people
If wisdom guides the Democracy, they will rest
satisfied with nothing short Of divorce of Bank
and State complete and eternal
1t is true that Ohio with a purely metallic cur
rency might for short time have to endure some
privations but other states would soon follow the
glorious example. 1t wants but beginning, and
by none can it be better made than by us, linking
as we do the middle and southern states to the
great West of which we form the most important
part. A leading argument against metallic cur
rency is, that we would be stimulated with irres-
ponsible paper from other states-or in Other
words that we should cultivate the increase o
home villany because otherwise we will have
to endure it from abroad. The same reasoning il
used in relation to Ohio by other States, and thus
for fear of temporary evil all continue to beal
institution which is defranding their people
corrupting' public morals, and fast doing away
with all that is noble in our republican system.
Banks and the aristocracy they build up teach
that money is the chief good; they make the capa-
city to acquire property the only test OF fitness
and ability. The youth of our country see its
wealth in the hands of men who as presidents,
cashiers, or directors of bank, have failed for
their thousands and they also see honors bestowed
upon these men instead of handouts and letters,
which only 90 on the hands and feet of delinquent
poverty, and ii is in uain that morality teaches
'sHoNEsTY TO BE THE BEST PoLcY.' Character be-
comes good only on paper; but worthless when
called upon to pay the specie of truth. Corup-
ton is stealing upon us. The stern integrity of
our Puritan ancestors is exchanged for an outside
honesty that Just trims with the law. The dis
tinctions between right and wrong are becoming
more and more indistnct. The morals of the
horse-jockey is becoming the code of the mer-
chant, and the son of the farmer is no longer will
ing to endure the manly tolls of the field, but
seeks his fortune in trade-(a word whose mean
ing is changed to something partaking of the cor
ruption of the times )-and finds through bank
ruptcy and ruin that he has mistaken his voca-
tion. What can have effected this revolution but
banking? 1t has been the master corruption. 1t
has ruled and controlled the business and lives of
mont has made fortunes easy of requirement
and again it has forced distress till misery spread
over tho length and breadth of the land like the
pestence. 1t has made business insecure and
rewardedsSaseness and servility with its sweetest
smiles. l,sas rejected the wholesome restraints