The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1901-10-12
NO NATIONAL A \ NOW.

No NATIONAL BANK NOW.
President Roosevelt did a yer
= graceful and appropriate thing whe
he appointed Mr.. Ridgely, of Illinois
= comptroller Of the treasury in accord
ance with the desire Of the late preSi
= dent. While the gentleman doubles
owes his appointment to the influence
OF his father-in-law rather than to an
ability Of his own, he will doubles.
NIL the position satisfactorily to hi,
party. However, in his ambition t.
re-eStabliSh the long discredited ma.
! tional bank he a hardly hope to re.
ceive encouragement, even from his
own party associates, says the Indian.
apolis Sentinel.
During the first half century OF the
rebublic the national bank question
was debated at intervals and invaria-
bly, the democratic party opposed the
bank on the ground that it gave too
much power to the moneyed interest.
When Andrew Jackson, soon after his
FIRST Inauguration, called the atten.
ton OF congress to the fact that the
national bank charter would soon ex-
pire, he Signalized the beginning of
the most bitterly contested political
battle in American history. The plu-
tocratic element Immediately enlisted
the cooperation of the whig party,
which was under the leadership of
Clay and Webster. 1t realized that
a hight was inevitable, and long before
the expiration Of the charter it began
a campaign through the press to, pois-
the people against the administra- {
ton. Jackson was placed at a disad- S
vantage during the early stages of the t
nght because of the mediocrity of the {
democratic leaders in congress-. ThoS. q
Benton conducted the fight against 1
The bank and was a host in himself. |
out had practically no support. Dur Q
ng JackSon's first administration the d
question was thoroughly canvassed by 0
he people, and in his campaign for s.
collection the national bank became 0
he paramount issue. The bank re- fl
orted to coercion, intimidation. false
looo-eyery scheme known to political 81
ascality-but failed to overcome the t
popularity of Jackson. During the n
econd term the fight was continued b.
nth increased fury and resulted in
he downfall of the banks.
The administration of Martin Van =,
'uren is celebrated chiefly for Just one =,
hing-the establishment of the sub. >,
reasury. Van Buren, went into the
mite house with the reputation of II
eng a subtle politician, He soon G,
roVed himself to be a brainy, cour- b
geous and patriotic statesman. II is -
onceded by all political scientists and -.
that the establishment of -,
he Su0-treaSury was one of the most
~ Hh0oO an
IaSterful strokes Of craftsmanship in ~,
merican history. At first Van Bu.
n practically stood alone in his ad. =,
'cacy OF the measure. Gradually he 80.
cured the cooperation of the democ.
cy. Upon the expiration of his term
was accorded a denomination. The
glc OF events should have made the
o~-treaSury the paramount issue in
40. The wings, however. were un- '''
ling to conduct a campaign of rea- ,
d. They refused to discuss issues
~ struck the wing keynote when he
This is no time for argu-
With log cabins and hard
er, with ''Sound and fury signifying
hing, the wings swept everything NAV
ore them, and Van Buren, paid the "I
of his greatness. anu
When the wings went into power 'Ne
y repealed the Sub-treasury BILL P'''
four years later it was again .
SEQ and no administration has vet
ed TO again repeal the measure. oou'
national bank has been weighed WV
the balance and found wanting. Po'S
fact that Ridgely's grandfather ,or
an officer in the bank that was ii"o
osed and destroyed by General " .
kSon will hardly appear as sufficient rec
'e for its re-eStablishment now. WI
new comptroller would better 80"
to the future and let the past 'iuei
the
- likel
MR.. ALGER'S ANGER. the {
eneral r. A. Ayers book is out at is tw