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ticipated in all other measures of public concern, and was regarded as a liberal-minded and valuable member of the House.

At this period Mr. CHAMBERS had acquired very considerable character as a lawyer and a politician, in a section of the country which was rather prodigal of sound lawyers and acute politicians. He was able to cope with the best of them, and his success in both capacities was more marked than generally falls to the lot of young men. But he was not satisfied with this position. His ambition was not yet gratified. Possibly his connexion as editor of a weekly newspaper at Bowling Green, in Pike county, first turned his attention to a different theatre and a more extended field of action and usefulness. At all events, his negotiatons for the purchase of the "Missouri Republican" were consummated, and in July, 1837, he became the editor and joint proprietor of the establishment-a position which he retained to the time of his fatal illness. How he performed his multifarious duties with what vigor, and energy, and judgment and tact-the people are here to bear testimony, and the paper itself is the best evidence. For seventeen years, his history is blended with that of the "Republican," and it needs neither illustration, nor apology, nor defence.

In all the troublous times of the city within that period and they were many and remarkable, and such as no other city has experienced we never knew his spirit to quail, or to give way under what seemed to be thick-coming and unending disasters. He was always at his post, in the gloomiest times encouraging the timid, counselling the desperate, diligently unfolding the means of avoiding the effects of pecuniary, or other embarrassments and never for a moment despairing of the glorious destiny of St. Louis. The Flood, the Fire, and the Pestilence, quickly following each other, had no terror to deter him from the performance of his obligations as a citizen and as a man; and those who served with him as members of the "Board of Public Health” in that fatal year when the cholera daily swept hundreds of people to the grave, and when the strongest-minded men gave way before the panic, will bear witness to the personal services rendered by him, day and night, throughout that frightful period.

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Of his social relations-his hospitality-his attention to strangers, and his friendly intercourse with his fellow-citizens it does not become us to speak. It was a source of great pleasure to him to be able to extend these courtesies and civilities, at all times, to the recipients of them.

Mr. CHAMBERS was married in 1833 to the lady who now mourns his death. He leaves three children-a son and two daughtersand two step-sons, to whom he has been as faithful as a fatherto regret that they have so soon been deprived of his excellent counsel and fond care. They have the sympathy of the whole community in their affliction.

Here is your glove,
I'd say my "Dove,"
Were not your eyes
More like the skies.

But dont believe,
Daughter of Eve,
You're to my sight
An "Angel" bright.
That fancy name
Is linked with fame,
Extravagance,
Of wild romance.

Romance has fled,
Vain names are dead,
You are forsooth
Woman in tru h.

A name most dear,
Turn to Shakspeare,
And there you'll see,
What 'raptured me.
Desdemona.
Cleopatra,
Miranda, and

Portia the grand.

Kind Cordelia,
Sweet Ophelia,
And your Love! Oh!
Wild Romeo.

Here first I loved,
My heart was movel,
By thy caress,
Sensitiveness!

As Romeo's love,
Envied the glove,
Of Juliet,
So do I, yet.

But then to touch,
Thy check, is much
More, than I dare
Hope, I declare.

I fear that thou

Will not allow
My lips the bliss,
To taste that kiss-

Harry to Julie.

But I will press,
With sweet caress,
Against my cheek,
Your glove so sleek.
And let linger,
Each neat finger,
Around my neck.
Then I'll bedeck

It o'er and o'er,
With fifty score,
Of kisses bright-
Or tears of light-

Of joy-of what--
E'en I know not-
But something fine,
Almost divine,

Not terrestrial,
'Tis celestial;
Joy of a saint-
I almost faint,

With ecstacy,
So pleasantly,
Thus, thus, would I,
Willingly die.

Ah! why is this?
Have I amiss

Done any thing,
No. 'Tis feeling.

But with wildness,
Sprung from mildness,
And thoughts hazy,
I'm most crazy.

And all my Love!
About your Glove.
Believe, or not,
Me now; but what

I state, true is,
In Saint Louis,
Were Romeo,
He'd break his vow.
Would quick forget
His Juliet-
Would do as I
Will, till I die-
Swear-Miss Julie,
I'm Yours Truly

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THE period for which the Bank of the State of Missouri was chartered having nearly expired, the time has arrived when the people of this State must determine whether they will eschew banks altogether, continue the present system, or adopt one more democratic in principle and more useful in its operations. Notwithstanding the objections entertained by many to banks of issue, we are persuaded that a majority of our citizens will so far yield to the spirit of the times and to the peculiar state of things now existing as to continue, and, perhaps greatly extend, in some form or other, their Banking institutions. Regarding this result as certain, we deem it to be our duty as journalists to investigate the subject, and submit our views to the consideration of the public.

The first inquiry presented is, whether we shall continue our present system, and, if so, shall it be extended to the limit fixed by the constitution? Were it not for the inconvenience and probable derangement of business, which would be occasioned by closing the present bank and its branches, before another system could be put in full operation, we should say, without hesitation, let the system and charter expire together.

But, upon grounds of expediency, we conclude that it will be the better policy to extend the present charter to a period that will afford time to establish another and a better system. The observation and experience of many years have confirmed us in the opinion that, though banking corporations are capable of affording important facilities to certain branches of industry as well as to commerce, yet, it is better for States which have no banks to remain in that condition, and use the paper money of other communities,

than to adopt the system of banking which has hitherto prevailed in this country.

We know that many intelligent individuals regard the existence of banks of issue in other States as a strong argument in favor of establishing similar institutions in Missouri. These affirm that by allowing the bank notes of other States to circulate here, we become subject to the evils of a paper currency without the benefits derivable from bank accommodations. This is a plausable, but a superficial view of the subject. For it must be borne in mind that banks of issue being institutions of credit, a state of indebtedness is an inevitable consequence of their operations. Indeed their operations are marked by a peculiarity which distinguish them from all other business transactions, for a debt is created by both parties to every negotiation for a loan. And for every dollar of paper money issued by a bank, debts to the amount of two dollars are created; the borrower becoming indebted to the bank, and the bank to the bill-holder. Besides this, the business of the banking States is burthened with interest on all the bills put in circulation, except such as may have been loaned by the banks to non-residents. If business in the non-banking States be conducted on sound principle, the people acquire a paper currency by a legitimate exchange of commodities, and no indebtedness need be created in obtaining it. And, moreover, they enjoy the benefits of a circulating medium without paying interest upon the amount issued. These facts, with exemption from many other evils of banking which might be mentioned, are strong arguments against the establishment of banks in States where none exist.

It is an inherent quality of banks of issue that the establishment of one creates a demand for another, and the intensity of the demand always increasing in proportion to the degree of expansion, the system explodes in time as a necessary consequence.

Though we admit that banking corporations have been powerful agents in establishing manufactures and constructing public works. in the older States of the Union, yet, holding, as we do, that their chartered privileges and practical operations infringe the sound principles of public economy, we cannot consent to the establishment and indefinite continuance of that system of banking in Missouri; and hence, should the time limiting the charter of the present Bank be extended, we should object to an enlargement of its capital.

Looking forward to the present state of things, we called the attention of the people of Missouri to the subject of free banking about four years ago;* but unfortunately, as we think, for the State, it received little favor in the General Assembly. Had the measure been adopted by that body, at its session of 1850-1851, we are persuaded that little difficulty would have been experienced in prosecuting our works of public improvement; and, that now they would have been at least two years in advance of their present condition. Besides, it was a more favorable time then than now to introduce the system. There was then less demand for money; the system would have went into operation without delay; and absorbing our State and corporation securities as fast as they were issued, the interest accruing upon them would have been paid at home, and have constituted a basis for the issue of a home currency.

Though still the advocate of free banking, we confess that we do not feel the same degree of ardor in behalf of its introduction, that we did four years ago. We have long deprecated the policy of creating banks to relieve communities from pecuniary embarrassments; and though the people of Missouri are comparatively free from embarrassment, there is a decided pressure in the money market giving rise to a desire for banks: a state of things which should always induce the legislator to act with great caution.

But doubts have been raised in respect to the power of the legislature to authorize individuals or associations to issue notes or bills for circulation. This is an important point; and one which should be carefully investigated. For were the legislature to adopt a system of banking, and serious doubts should exist in respect to the constitutionality of the act, such doubts would prevent capitalists from entering into business under the law until the point should be settled by judicial action. We understand that the opinions of legal gentlemen have been given upon this question, but have not seen or heard the reasons stated for their conclusions. To our view the subject is entirely free from doubt. The eigthth article of the constitution of Missouri provides that "the General Assembly may incorporate one banking company, and no more to be in operation at the same time.

The Bank to be incorporated may have any number of branches, not exceeding five, to be established by law; and not more than

• Vide Western Journal, Vol. IV, p. 211

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