Don't Know Much

Who Said It? (3/9/2014)

Imacon Color Scanner

Andrew Jackson 7th President of the U.S. by Thomas Sully (1825) Source: United States Senate

 

President Andrew Jackson: “Veto Message Regarding the Bank of the United States “(July 10, 1832)

It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Distinctions in society will always exist under every just government. Equality of talents, of education, or of wealth can not be produced by human institutions. In the full enjoyment of the gifts of Heaven and the fruits of superior industry, economy, and virtue, every man is equally entitled to protection by law; but when the laws undertake to add to these natural and just advantages artificial distinctions, to grant titles, gratuities, and exclusive privileges, to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society-the farmers, mechanics, and laborers-who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their Government. There are no necessary evils in government. Its evils exist only in its abuses. If it would confine itself to equal protection, and, as Heaven does its rains, shower its favors alike on the high and the low, the rich and the poor, it would be an unqualified blessing. In the act before me there seems to be a wide and unnecessary departure from these just principle

Full Text at Avalon Project-Yale Law School

The charter of the Second Bank of the United States had become a sharp political issue between Andrew Jackson and his enemies, most notably Senator Henry Clay and Second Bank of the United States President Nicholas Biddle. Jackson vetoed a bill rechartering the Bank in 1832 and his veto was sustained. The Bank –Jackson and his allies depicted it as the “Monster Bank” — became a campaign issue in the 1832 presidential election which Jackson won in a landslide.

Andrew Jackson was born on March 15, 1767  in the Waxhaws region between North and South Carolina. He died on June 8, 1845.

 

Posted on March 10, 2014

The Latest From My Blog

Don’t Know Much About® the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York caught fire and 146 people died.

Read More

The World in Books-Coming in October 2024

My new book is coming from Scribner in October 2024.

Read More