The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-02-01
RICHMOND, FE'BRUaR) 4, 1872.
NIGHT OF INSTRUCTION..

." He SaeJfct " me 71Srht u me State
i;tSLsldtnr'$ 10 instruct .hrir Senators in
!, IRE Congress Of he United Safes
/ he General Assembly of Virginia, Lav-
ing a, the last session, after mature telibe-
ration on the s&ijcct, and under solemn
conviction that the institution of the Rank of
the Cnited States was unconstitutional, in
structed the Senators Cf this state in Con-
gress, to oppose the renewal of the charter
! or that bank, it has since seen, with min
] Sed regret and dispicasure, the authority
POI IT'S Instruction denied by one Senator and
ldisu5cycd by the other.
No man, however exalted by station or.
character, could be so considerable as to
excite tie L. sentiment Of this Asseu,bly-a
resentment unworthy its own dignity and
III a manner honorable to its object: it will
never descend TO inHict personal Injury ON
aiy irdi,idnai; il is withheld at once by its
Justice, its benignity and its pride, from in
dulging in itself, or exciting in others, the
spirit OF persecution or revenge: least of all,
Can 1t ever be so devoid OF self-respect, as to-,
enter INTO an alteration with its own SER
wants. But, under present circumstances,
Nhen right OF vital Importance, the pros
tration OF which might ultimately affect the
existence OF the state governments, the ba-
| rance OF the constitution and the integrity of
tne union, is openly questioned and denied,
| II TINS Assembly were to pass the subject o.
YER In silence, it might, perhaps properly,
De inferred, that 1t retracted from its claim
~ right IN humble submission, OF abandoned
It as idle, or yielded it as an unjust, pre-
ItensioD.
Whether tie General Assembly has been
guilty OF an act of usurpation, or it's Senators
oI culpabe disobedience, let the world
]udSe. This Assembly will never disdan
to give the reasons of its conduct
|. 4 mere can be no doubt, that the scheme
t9f representative republic, was derived
| 20 our forefathers from the constitution of
the English House of Coirilrlohs and that
mat branch OF the English government,
Whatever 1t be now in practice, was in it's
origin, and III theory always has been, pure
y republican. 1t is certain too, that the
statesmen OF America, in assuming that as
the model OF our own institutions, designed
to adopt it here in its purcst form, and with
It's strictest republican tenets and principlesS
1t becomes, therefore, an inquiry of vets
greater utility than. curiosity, to ascertain
me sound doctrines Of the constitution of the
English House of Commons, in regard TO
eshs right OF the constituent to instruct the
representative. For the position may safely
be assumed, that the wise and virtuous men.
VINO framed cur constitutions, thoroughly
Veraed, as they undoubtedly were in the
Llshsh doctrines or representation, design
ed, that in the United States, the constitu-
ent should have at least as much, if not a
great deal more inhuence over the repre-
sentative, than was known to have existed, |
Tune imiasmorial in England. Let US then |
interrcgdCe the history of the British nation |
Let Us consult tie opinions of Their wise |
men
instances abound in parliamentary historyS
OF formal instructions from the constituent |
to the representative, of which, 4 though
DOUBTLESS stiIcter search would disclose !
many more, the following may suffice in |
l640, the knights of the shire for Dorset & |
Kent, informed the Commons, fbat tbey had |
IN charge Jron, mir const,turu:s, seven ar
tcies OF grievances, which they accordingly
LAD Deiore the House, where they were re-
ccived and acted on. In the SD year of
Charles ii. the citizens OF London instructed
their members to ipsjst on the bill fer ex-
Guiding the Duke of York afterwards King
James M from the succession to the throne
and Their representative said. g that his
aHsy TO his electors Obliged him to vote TO, |
inc oiIi. -At a subsequent election, lin 1851,
III many places, formal instructions werei
gwen to the members returned, to insist OIL
Inc same exclusion bill we know, from his
tory, how uniformly and faithfully those in
structiGns were oDeycd. Instructions arc
stii extstnt, on thc subject of the relations
between England and France in 17O1. The
MI MISUNDERSTANDING FROM various parts OF
England: those Of London, particularly.
are III The most Authoritative tone. In 1?4I
the citizens OF London instructed their mem
bcrs 10 vote asiin5. standing armies, excise
avs, the Scp.enuiai bill, and long train of
eVii measures, already felt, or anticipated
ana expressly ailirm their right of instruct
Oft" We think it (say thcy) our duty, as
IT IS orr nnaon6ted right, to acquaint you,
with what g-e desire end crhcct from, you,
IN dischGrSe Of the gycat trust are rehose in /
you, and what we take it to be p0uy' du,y
as ou'' representative, S-c.P In the same
year, Instructions OF similar character
were seut from all parts Of Eaglaud. In |
l74@, the cities OF London, bristol. Fdin |
bI 3, York and many others, Instructed |
their MEMBERS III Parliament, to seek re- |
dress against Certain individuals ssspected
t. Ave betrayed and deserted the cause Of |
the people. Aud IN 1863, the civ Of I'm |
don instructed its members 70 s-uard VIII, |
wttchihl diligence, the trial Ey lury. the !
HaoeGs coTlHs act-and on vari5as other
points. II will DC remarked, that so,pe of I
the instances above quoted relate to points vi /
INSTITUTIONAL law, and some to those Of nm !
ncy, ana that most Of them occurred as'r,t !
or since The revolution in 1888, az which /
time, and by which event, thc English Dolj |
uclaps tell as, their constitution was settled. !
TIC rigats 81 the people ascertained and the
pDwcrs OF every branch OF their e0yernr,cr.
limited and defined.