Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-02-14


er of banks, and have ever striven TO place
such checks aud restraints upon them as
would make safe the rights Of the people,
and as would give the best security for the
safety of their issues and the prevention OF
frauds upon the public. In short, tho De
mocracy have always boon more or less divi-
ded upon this question, so much 50 that they
were, even amongst themselves, designated
as ~hardsv and "sofs.7 THESE facts are the
late history Of the times, AMI require only to
be mentioned to be remembered 10y all can
did political men.
This is, therefore, in our opinion, the real
position Of the democracy in reference to.
Banks. The. circumstances OF lho case con
trol their opinions aud actions--in some in
stances ami for soaio reasons they are opposed
to Banks, and particularly to the dangerous
political form Of wrongly constituted Banks
In other Instances, aud for other reasons, TREY
are frequently in favor ofBanks. Tho.ques-
ton of" Banks," OF no Baaks'' is mol, nor
never WAS settled, either pro or con by the
democratic party. They nave frequently
been divided in their bank views, and promi-
nent members Of the party, in our State
Legislation have taken different sides of the
question.
The views of the State ScatiaeI on the sub
ject of Banks, are these (: We believe the
subject Of Banks and of currency is not n lie
Ultimate political principle; but a distinct,
outside, irrelevant question. not included in
the regular Democratic creed. It. is like any
other question which materially affects the
business interests of the public. IL stands in
the samc relation TO politics, thai railroad
charters aud all other corporate institutions
do. 1t connects itself with the business ope-
rations Of the community aud must be regrs
lated by the wants and condition of trade
AMI commerce. It is an exuaneous issue,
with which the Democracy have nothing
positively to do, and which we hope they
will not suffer themselves 10 be divided npon.
The general resolutions and declaration Of
principles AZ laid down by the Sth Of Jan
uary Convention are strong enough, broad
enough, and smooth enough for any true
Democrat to stand upon as a safe platform,
without The Introduction Of anyoiher plank.
Tic mere. abstract ilea expressed in judge
IowRY's resolution is harmless, If properly
construed and considered. Why should any
wish to make new or additional
with which to distract or divide the
Z?
Indeed any attempt to array pfeiadicc by
party drill, against orr Banks, either the new
Bapk, or those l~egitimately organizel
the General Ranking Law. is. wrong,
both as 10 time and sound policy. The laws
them have already been passed, and
under the charter, tho-sum Of two thilliohs OF
lpllars Of cash capital, willdlaveeB Been paid
before the nextiEe ssislaIure shall assemble.
stockholders are citizens of indiana,
nave "a chartered privilege to bank upon
heir capital, aud unless they violate their
charter, no civil power can disturb them for
twenty years. What then shall we gain by
! contest Of words, mere wotls, with them.
The Free Banks which now exist arc sound.
and reliable, As far as good securities and
payments can make any bank safe
md reliable. They have about one aud a
ialf millions of capital, and Hpon ii an issue
II paper, less probably ten per cent, all Of
great moneyed interests the Demo
ratio party have no desire to injure or to
lrive from the State, .
If these Banks abuse their privileges, vio-
ate the charter or the law, ,thpn lay the
iand of legal power upon them, and bring
hem promptly to their duty.
The great business interests Of A thriving,
and commerce. u people should never
30 made subseryieut to Iarty operations, nor
o party success. The Democratic party is a
,reat conservative part, taking a.gcneral
'ognizance Of all the interests of the people,
should not let any measure Of temporary
lxpediency drive it from its great land marks
# reason and justice. h.
Again We repeat, let us ignore the Bank
question as having no Legitimate connection
With our Democratic platform, as constituting
10 essential article of our faith, "A one~be-
to the business department Of sociefy,
be regulated carefnlly 10 sui the com
and trade Of our people, and keep
within the bounds of the political
,irclc.