The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-03-07

| tive perusal:
WAsHINGroN CRY. Feb. 26. ls46.
To The Editor Of the SPIRIT Of Democracy:
SIR In compliance with the request OF friend,
and orthe purpose Of placing myself 10 proper
light before my political friends. have forwarded
to you the following, for publication, il, in your
judgment. 1t would be proper so to do
The issue between the two great poll iesl parties
of Ohio. on the currency question, is now fairly
made; and the important consequences, either for
veal or wo. resulting to the country from decis-
ion Of this issue render it matter Of deep and las
ting interest to the people, and should be well con-
sidered before decided
il the wings. with the aid Of the sofis, are sue
cessful upon this issue, in the coming contest, the
inevitable result will be that the entire control al
the currency, and the pecuniary destinles OF the
people OF Ohio, are yielded into the hands Of few
stock-obbing bankers, who will, having the power
SO to do. build up for themselves splendid prnceIy
fortunes out Of the hard earnings of the people,
But, say the wings, this is ali emagogueism. Be.
fore, however, this assertion be taken as true, let
1t be first shown where the banker, or set of bank
ers are to be found, who do not use all the money
within their control with . view Of promoting
their own interests, exclusively, regardless of the
interests Of others,
Who believes that stock-jobbers,, (whd flock
about the Legislative bodies of the country, like
carrion crows around dead carcass,) when seek.
ing bank charters for themselves. are prompted BY
pure patriotic motives and sincere desire to pro-
mote theweIfars Of the great body Of the people.
No one-'tis pef these gentry are SO warmly in
scent of If, then, the conclusion be correct, that
men generally, and bankers in particular, seek
their own interest," without regard to the interest
of others, it then follows, as matter of courss, 4
that the bankers, who have tho control of the mo-
ney of the country, will use II for their own benz
eft; and consequently, sooner or later, they will
have the control OF all the profitable business and
finally become the owners OF the most valuable
property in the country; while the great body Of
the people will be reduced to the necessity of be-
coming the mere tenants at will-the slaves and
serfs OF hea rtless stock kobbing bankers; gou-
er,an'enf, republican in form, oniy--in practice,
a n'oneyed ristoyacy
1t is beyond the scope OF the powers Of my mind,
to bring to view all The evils the people are SUBJ
jected toby the existing vianous system Of bank.
ing, and especially as it is practicedi in Ohio. The
General and State governments cannot be kept in
existence witout the Of money, and their exis-
tence, almost as well as the prosperity of the peo
pie, are now made dependant upon the will Of the
bankers who have the control of the money OF the
country. Who desires TO see his country and the
ahumiliating condition of dependence as this?--
Certainly, no one; unless he cares more for the
" almighty dollar" than the good OF his country.
All history proves that we have more to fear
from the money power, than from any thing else.
1t is the most deadly enemy the democracy have
to contend with-t is the bane of republic anism,
andits most efficient auxiliary is the whig press
The base seIvility Of the whig press of Ohio to
bankers,is beyond doubt, without its equal in the
history OF aHy country. He who ventures to say
aught against banks and bankers, though hebe
otherwise as guileess as tho angel Gabriel. is at
forsaken wretch in creation. am aware that
will be censured by some, (whose good opinion
would at all times be pleased to have for the man.
nerl have here expressed myself; but when re
fleet upon the unceasing,- the unmltgated abuse
heaped upon the democratic party by the wing ed
itors. and their readiness to attack, in the most
scurrilous manner, any and every body who differ
with them about any matter, and especially upon
the subject of banking |, OH tins account, feel
myselffully just6edi in what have dn, relation
to them:
If the democratic party succeed, in the coming
contest, in electng their candidate for Governor
upon the Constitutional currency issue, it will be
the most glorious victory ever achieved by them
in Ohio They will have driven from power a.
clique of the most corrupt politicians that ever
infested the Capital of any State in the Union
They will teach Mr., Kelley and his party. that {
the capital Of bankers (while banks exis shall be
taxed as well as the property Of farmers and me-
chanics, aud to equal extent-that speciallegis-
laton must cease to be enacted in Ohio--that
bankers must, hereafter, submit to the general
laws, and no longer be the pets Of governmsnt-.
and that all laws, hereafter, shall be so shaped %
to bestow, like the dews OF Heaven, equal bles-
sings upon ALL"
The propriety Of the policy Of our fathers adopt
ing gold and siiver, as the constitutional currency
OF the country, has never been questioned by DEM
ocrats; but as to the measures necessary to be
adopted, to rid the country Of banking, (an admit
ted ev,) there has been a difference Of opinion
among them. At different periods in the history
Of this country, banks have failed and inflicted up
on the people ruin and distress to an alarming ex-
tent. Upon all these occasions, some Of the best
men in the country have exerted themselves to the
utmost extent Of their power. to restrict and to
form them, believing they might be made usefulin
facilitating the trade of the country; but all the
exertions used to accomplish this object have failed
they have been abandoned as worthless, and all