Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-04-20

producing general derargcmen. and
paralysis in the business of The commu-
nifty. Other States have tried the ex.
pertinent. | need not refer to the recen,
experience of the neighboring States OF
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wiscon-
sin. Why shall not Iowa profit by their
experience! Why shall she not secure
to her citizens the same facilities for
.ransac,ing business, as are enjoyed by
the citizens of other States! Are not
our people as competent to manage the
affairs os banking institutions discreetly
and safely as those of any other Stale
Is thereno. the same necessity for banks
here as elsewhere! ,..,.
The argument urged by some, tha.
banks are not in accordance with the
principles of the Democratic party. is
unworthy Of consideration. How can
II be Democratic to charter banks in N !.
Hampshire, Virginia, South Carolina,
Illinois. Pennsylvania and Indiana and
be urdemo cratic to do the same thing in
Iowa! There is no, State east of the
Mississippi river in which there are
not banks incorporated by democratic
legislatures, and yet, in the view of some
acisc men, il is gross violation of dem.
ocratic principles to create them west of
iha: river.
! DO not propose to discuss the mode
of banking that should be adopted in
this State, nor have space to point out
the benefits ,ha. would result to the com.
munity by the establishment Of banks in
furnishing facilities for business-in d.
minlshing the rate of interest, &c., &c.
The people are capable Of determining
the system that should be adopted salts
factorily to themselves, through their
delegates to Constitutional Convention,
or by their representatives in the Gen
eral Assembly. All that | contend for
is ,ha. they shall have the privilege OF
doing so.
A submission 10 the people of the
question of amending the Constitution
of the State can be attended with no ex-
pense, anu there is not valid argumen,
to be urged against it. Ii the principle
Of government by majority is cor
rec,-if the people ARE really capable
OF self-gosernment, why should they not
be permitted to decide for them selves a
question of so vital importance! Why
should Legislative gu ibbling and Exec.
u,ve vetoes be inteiposed to prevent an
expression of the popular will on this
subject!
A majority of the members of the last
General Assembly were professedly in
favor of change in the Cons,itulion..-
They had been elected bv constituencies
who required them 10 commit themselves
in fayot of the opposition before their
election. But many of them were at
heart opposed to any change, and after
in,erposing friv olous objections, amend
men!s and delays, finally refused TO pass
a bill submitting The question 10 the peo-
pie, over the executive veto. Thus, by
the exercise OF two yetoes, and the ii
mildly and iailhlessness Of some repre-
sen,a,ives, the principle of self-govern-
ment was virtually denied, and the peo-
pie refused the privilege of determining
for themselves whether or not their Con-
slitution should be amended.
Let the voters OF Iowa understand.
that if they desire change in their Con-
stitu.ion, they mus, elect public servants
who are in favor ol that change from
principle and honest conviction. Let
them remember that the best criterion of
a mans future conduct is his past opin-
ions and conduct. Let them elect men
who will not be driven from their posi-
lions by the frowns of party leaders,
nor be seduced from them by executive
fawning or the bestowmenl of federal
offices. Then, and not till then, will
THE desired aud much needed change be
effected.
SECoND.-It is no doubt expected that
| shall state my views of the Temper
ance question.
| have been repeatedly inquired of by
letters and otherwise, whether | would,
(if elected, veto a prohibi,ory liquor
law.
/. is cardinal principle of the Whig
party that all questions of expediency
belong legilima,ely TO the people, and
should be settled by the Legislative de-
par'ment of the government. The veto
should be exercised only for the gravess
constitutional reasons. Should, there
fore, an act be passed either prohibiting
the sale of intoxicating liquors, or licens-
ing their sale, would, Gf elected ap-
prove the law, unless, in my Judgment,
palpably unconstitutional. |. would be
a violation Of my own principles, as
we'll as of the party to which belong,
to cndeavor to thwart, in any degree, the
wishes Of the people Of the State, as ex.
pressed through their representatives,
The friends of both the prohib,ory and
the license systems must bear in mind
that the executive of the State has moth.
ing whatever TO do with the preparation
OF the laws. To the members to be
elected to the General Assembly, there.
fore, they must look for the consumma-
ton of their wishes in this behalf.
THIRD.-Il has ever been the Whig
doctrine that TO the General Government,
belongs the power and duty of increas'
ing and protecting the commerce OF the
country by works Of internal improve
ments that are general and national in