Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-02
Il dollars per annum.7

81 election, rs that, BY which -he whole senate
OF Maryland is elected, BY one college body y
the President and Vice President, BY many ecl-
| leges OF electors. And, although the electors.
IN the latter case, usually disperse. Ter the
election is over, yet tie doctrine, for which the
advocates OF instructions contend, would war
rant then, longer continuance together Tic
duration otthe session of state legisl,N,re afi-
ses IRON ITS having otker dstie: to perf0ym, in
relation to ITS osen constituents. VIII it b. con-
tended, that 1t any other duties had been reouir-.
ed, BY the constitution, OF the col,sges of pfes;
| DENTAL electors, which could have had the cf-
/ t-ct OF protIacting their sessions beyond the
date of the election, such, addtionalduties would
have carried with them, the riSkt of ;asfraciiss
the President of the United Safes Ii would,
farther, seem 20 be required, il this assembly
undertakes TO instruct the Senators of Virginia.
~ ccfgEess, that it should be done by resclu.
tuition adopted by join, ballot OF the two hou-
ses' inpursuance OF the mode Of election, re.
| CURED by the stste constitut ion which has not
| yet been suggested.
Hence, it appears, that at the end Of ever
| inquiry, the doctrine r-cnrs with additional
force, that the fteofaie are the constituents Of
| me feS''siatiUc Goag, however they may vary
the mode Of eicciio5,; to whatever voices, for
the sake OF utility or convenience, they may
sommit the exercise OF the power Of election:
and however elected, the senator is TO be re-
i
heofie, Of whose delibcratiUe council, lie is a
member. If this doctrine be deemed incon-
sistent with the policy, and interest of the
smaller states, who are entitled, by the con-
stitution, to the benefit CT equal representa-
ton in the senate, with the larger. Ii it be
urged that this apportionment Of representa-
ton is benefit, of which, even by a chance.
OF the constitution no state can Be deprived,
without its consent; and, therefore, that
a particular Importance is to be attached
toit. The answer is obvious. II Is a most
tnforfant IiroUiSion to the smaller states
For, however free, may be the deliberations
OF the Senate, each Senator, will look 10 the
state, in which he resides, and where he be-
holds the organ of his appointment. 1t is IN.
necessary, here, to repeat all the consider3-
tons which the general theory ofrepresenta-.
tive government suggests, to lead TO the con-
vlctlon that representative of a particular
district, IN which he is required to reside, e.
iected by the people of that district, or by
persons deputed by them, to whom he is al
so responsible through regular periodical e.
lections, will be sufficiently devoted to their
interests, to avail himself of every preper
occasion to promote them. And that he will
think much less OF the interests OF the residue
ofthe community, In proportion, as, he thinks
more OF those OF his immediate constituents
This, therefore, lisa feature ofthe constitution.
the result, unquestionably, of a Compromise
OF interests, of which the large Stafes have
most reason TO complain. But i does nos
prove, that any state, has a right, in conse-
quence OF it, to suspend or control the deE-
berations of the senate, By instructing its Sc.
majors.
1t the states, in their separate Capacities,
be again regarded as'the parties to the con-
stitution Of the United States, they have all
an equal interest in the character and rights
OF those, who compose the Senate of the u
nIted States. AS branch ofthe legislature,
1t can1ot perform its constitutional functions.
without celebrating, as well, as decidinf.
There is no question, but the arrest of Sc.
nator, by an armed force, and the confines
Tnent OF his person, so, as to prevent his at
terdance on his public duty, would be gross
in aston, not only Of the rights of the injured
senator, but of that branch Of the national L.
gislature, who would be thus suddenly de.
prived of his services; and although, where
hcis simply instructed, the character of the.
act, by which his faculties are chained.
while his persons is at liberty, may be less
obnoxious to himself, tits not less detrimental
to the assembly, of which he is member.
If 1t bo commended that all the state leeis-
latures possess this right, and are thus pla-
ced on the same footing of equality. 1t has
been already denied, that any ofthem possess
the right. But if they all did, it could not be
equally enjoyed by all. An accidental COIN
cidence OF time, between the sessions Of q
state legislature, and of the senate, would
afford one state an opportunity Of instructnc
its senator's, by its legislature, which could
not be exercised by another state, diferens-
ly circumstanced To the disparity thus q :
rising from temporary or accidental causes.
must be added the irremediable ineuualilv
growing out OF the geographical position of
the states around their common political
center What would be the smilitude in
this respect between the advantages of the
state OF Maryland, the seat ofwhose governs
ment is but days journey from the metro
polls Of the United States, and those of the
states of New Hampshire and Georeia. ON
the Atlantic, of the trans Allcgany states of
Kentucky, Tennessee and Ohio, or those inst
rising into existence at the mouth or at the
sources OF our western wJtersi If this right
be exercised, at all, BY the latter, It mus.
often be, after the occasion has passed.
which, alone, could give it Importance; and
when, the instruction. instead of furnishinp
as required, Il rule Of condnc 10 III, sena-
tor, will have no effect Whatever. While it
IS not easy TO conceive, how, am NJ co-1rei4
nate Stafcs, right can belong to one, which
all cannot exercise, it must, in this view, be
greatly deplored, that The assumption cf
such right by any, will very disDroportioH-
ably increase the influence Of the particular
states in the vicinity Of the seat OF the ma
tonal government aud, in so doing. excite
Of necessity, the jcalousies Of those whose
geographical position removes them farther
from II. An effect, the same in quality.
with that, against which, tho Constitution e
the United states sought toguard by giving
90 the natiunal government, crrl;t,it p Ico-fs.