The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln-VOL. II (Chap. 5.19)

Song Meaning

This fragment from July 1848 finds the speaker, potentially a future President, addressing the settled issue of a national bank. He states directly that he would not push for its re-establishment if he held the office. The immediate tone is one of pragmatic finality regarding the debate. However, a subtle tension emerges in his conditional stance. While he wouldn't initiate the discussion, he also wouldn't block a congressional act to create such a bank. This suggests a willingness to accept a national bank if it passed through the legislative process, provided it met certain constitutional standards. The key craft element here is the careful qualification of his position. He distinguishes his hypothetical veto power from his personal inclination, referencing