American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-05-13
FOR THE WA7cHMAY.

Vox Populi, in his publication OF the Cd inst has
aid the pith and core Of his statements, was that
three members oil the Legislature who came Tor
HaId as democrats before the people, and who were
Elected by them in the confidence and trust that
hey the three, would in all respects act with the
Democratic majority, had betrayed their trust and
broken their duty towards their constituents, by
dining and adhering to the federslists, instead OF
Voting with the democratic majority" The FIRST
allegation contained in this quotation, is not true in
$he broad unqualified sense In which it is laid down.
Every citizen whether democratic or frderaist who
s elected TO seat in the Legislature, is not by ha-
ping that honor conferred on him, deprived OF his
Night Of opinion and free agency. He is chosen un-
Her the expectation that he will exercise his best
Judgment IN legslating for the general wcliare.-
Ind when lie goes forward TO take his seat IN the
Ouse OF which he is a member, he IS sworn or al
irned 10 discharge his duties as legislator with
llellty. IN dung this he sometimes fnds himself
nder the necessity Of dissenting, not from the ma
grty Of the members of his party in the legislature
paly but oil all the members OF the house TO which.
b belongs, Of both parties. And were he on any
Important question to sacrifice his opinion, by vo
ng in opposition to it, he would violate his con-
Eclence and his os;hs. AS it respects the appoint
nen OF officers by the G.. Assembly. it is granted
here Is difference in performing that duty, from
ssSlaing on the subjects which are usually Presen-
(sd 10 the consideration OF alcgislatiye body. Mem
ers OF the same party ought, as far as is practical
Pv, to unite III the selection of candidates, 10 do
Hls, they should meet and take the sense OF each
lheT Oh the pretensons OF different persons, which
most talTly ascertaintt by baotng. But IL may
fometlmes happen that the majority may divide in
Nof OIL person, against the selection OF whom one
M more OF the minority may have insurrnountaole
Oecuons II may be supposed that the person II
ppNnted would from his incompetency discredlt
~ constituents, or from his want ofintegry endan-
rthe public interest. And when this is the case
NJ The support Of any one who entertans such opln
oOs be consistently claimedp
Inc three democrats who selected Mr.. Read, did
tu pursue the course here prescribed They were
Ne'eImlned IN his favor before they went to Dover
asged by Fair Play, to show that 10 the selection
n MN The iederalists had no hand. In saying so
faf ray committed no oversight in managing hi:
a6uheht' lie was, at the moment OF penang
~aal ne averred, prepared to admit, and did alter
Sa'us twice explicitly admit, that in so doing, thej
p' N his opinion, act incorrectly yet, before th
sam'slon was made, knowing that there was q di
eisly OF sentiment on the subject, he stated tina
Every one was at liberty to form his own opinion.
|. Judge Tor himself These gentlemen, aware tina
'ae person whom they felt disposed to support, ston
~ Cnahce OF being taken ". in caucus OF demo
C'auc members (principally because he was regard
g 60 as Inc friend Of Mr.. M'Lane) had no other wa
" getting him before the legislature, but TO presen
nm al once BY nominating or proposing him IN
''"' meeting OF all the members. In taking thu
course they acted on broader and more liberal prn
'P'es. The twelve f del al members possessing In
same right 10 participation in making the appoint
Vlt % me 10 democrats, their choice was enlarge
OS inc nomination OF two democratic candidates II
aeaa OF one. And il may be very plaushiy argue
~ Oehaii OF this mode of proceeding, that the large
'aclcc which it affords, furnishes better oppori,
M,'y OIL making a judicious appointment shan III
sulsary nomination produced by caucus selection
~ 'Hs one case every member is free to nominal
Hc person OF whom he thinks most lavorably +;
"e Otter, where the members Of either party whic
= uomlnant' happen to be united, one nomination
mace ard the choice Of the whole legislature cont
su 10 the individual nominated. BY the former moo
y proceedings merit may stand some chance oil So
se'ung; oy the latter, management will general
pT'ali, from keeping merit cut OF view. An adrc
pO"uclan, by taking his measures artully before Il
s''S'oh OF the legislature, and where he is men
uer oy The Influence he is capable OF exercising;
'sf one composed of such materials as ours cor
'aeAig Is, may without much difficulty Obtain 3