Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-03-29
RTCE1MOMD WEYCs,
TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 90 1905

~ NJ
correspondence between these gentlemen, the first
TIE Representative from the State of Missouri the
last Senator from tue same State, on Mr.. Scott 5
resolution to- for Mr.. Adams as President of
the United States. The correspondence, from, its
smgularty, merits a brief notice. which in our la ST
publication we were prevented from giving it, bv
other concerns.
Col. Bcntons episte is in the true mock heroic
vein:
"For Bomhardinion has received blow,
AND Observation-Disclosures must dic,'
Mr. Scott informs him, "that uutwtista ,tiiuy th,
conversation we had on Thursday and Friday / nv,
now Inclined TO think shall vote for Mr. Adams
sc.
III would appear from this information, that MIR
scott, like other Representatives, had uctuated as
to the vote lac should give ON the 9th February ::
Like other gentlemen, he found himself in the pain
ful predicament of having to decide between the
supposed wishes OF his immediate constituents on
the one hand, and tile safety and welfare of the en-
IRE Union on the other. 1t was precisely the sttI-
alton IN which Mr.. Clay was placed, and il would
be marvellous if Nh Scott were to escape from the.
disappointed, his share of the malediction. Like
other Intelligent and honest Representatives,, MIR.
scott, IN this conflict between fantastic sense of
duty to the people of Missouri and his conscience
bowed to the supremacy of the last, choosing ather
to incur the hazard of using the favor of the peope
he represented, than to put in jeopardy the peace
and permanently of the Union. He is said to be
peached honor; and the vigor of his understa n,ing
enabled him to comprehend that his duty to the
Constitution was paramount to his fealty the ca
PRECIOUS humor OF his Senator or Constituents In
other words, he felt himself clothed by the Constr
tuition of the United States, with a complete dis
creton to vote for whom he pleased; and that in
structions expressed implied gould not and
ought not to control the constitutional duty which
ne was about tn discharge. Ii there is any PROPOSE
ton which has arisen under the operation of our
government, clearer than any other, it is that the
Representatives of the people, i'll electng from three
individuals returned before them by the Constitu-
ton, not from the of their trust, bound to
pay that obedience to Instructions which is owed
IN matters oil simple, ordinary legislation. Had
that been the intent of the Constitutions the ndivi-
dual having the plurality of electoral votes, would
have been declared by it elected, without the sub
sequent Interference of the H. of Rep, escntatives-
an interference, which, if the Representative be
bound by tine wishes of his State people, rs i'm
common cases, must necessarily eventuate in the
choice of him who has the highest number of cleo
toral votes-and therefore, the election by that body
would be an empty form, attended only with dan
ger and Inconvenience.
When Representative goes counter 10 the opin-
ions ofhis constituents, is prna dcie evidence OF
honesty OF purpose. tie forles by his popularity
at home; aud unless he receives an equivalent i'm
consideration of his vote, sacrifices himself bv his
devotion to the public good. Every man who has
the United States, must be sensible, that no new.
stimulantS of any kind are necessary 10 bind the
representative to the constituents that his desire 70
preserve their favor is active and deafness pin-
cple, regulating his whole official conduct, nd pro-
ductve often, from the servile extent to which is
pushed, OF pernicious consequences to the country
TO inculcate this duty those whn represent the
people, is like telling 10 take Gaze of his own
purse-a caution for the most part entirely unne-
cessary AS long as the freedom and frequency of
popular elections continue, other inducement is
required to exact obedience the voice of the peo-
pie, than the desire of preserving their affections
1t needs not to be strengthened by any address to
the patriotism Of the Representative; any expos
tulation on the duty he to the constituent or
any dissertation on the nature of representa- tive
government. The motives to obedience are already
strong, generally destroy all indepen,le nee
OF opinion, and not unfrequently to impair the per-
sonal responsibility of the representative. Instruc-
tons are sometimes "more honor ed in the breach
than the Observance"
If these remarks are applied to the conduct of
Mr. Scott, i'll his vote the Presidential election
they will be found 10 justify him in the most ample
manner Col. Benton assures him, and Mir Scott
himself was probably of the same opinion that the
people of Missouri affected Observation-Disclosures
Ing this, Mr.. Scott voted for Mr. Adams If tie
people Of Missouri friendly to Jackson what
could more empha ;lcaly establish the conscientious
rectitude of Mr.. SCOTS course2 What but a sense
of his higher duty his oath, the constitution and
his country, could have anayed him in opposition
to those VINO had already highly honored him,
and on whom he was dependant for future political
advancement Reasoning apart from all feeling
and the qualification which received fiom Mr.
scott vote, his course seems to be fully ;usti
fed on general principles, and by particular circum-
stances. Let us return to Col. Benton.
His reply TO MIR. SCOTS note seems To be modelled
on the separation scene between Fox and Bu,kc in
the House of Commons-and if not pathetic, is
quite as heightened as Mr.. Burke's valedictorv to
his quondam compatriot. The parallel is not with
out other points of resemblance: for there was lust
as little cause for this "unexpcCted breaking of ma
NY ties on the part of the romantic Colonel as there
was for Burkes ruthless and unfeelne violation of
fhe affections of his friend, the great aud amiable
Fox We have nothing to do with the ethereal
principles of morality by which the Colonel regu-
lates his friendships; but may be permitted to
remark, that the nine years friendship and counex-
ion, which he could permit to be dissolved bv an
event unconnected with its concerns and dnties
could not have been very sincere, or much worth
preServation-for it seems that Mr. SCOTS only Of
fence, was to vote he thought right, instead of
taking his cue from the Colonel. We feel more
disposed to congratulate Mr. Scott on the honor he
has gained by this exerton of self-depeudence.
than to condole with him on the abrupt dissolution
Of this ''ancient friendship
Having succeeded we fatter ourselves in piviur
good reasons to MIR. Scott why he ought TO be5 the
pnvatIon OF the Colonies friendship, with the pro
per forttude and equanimity, we will turn from
the private 80 contemplate the political aspect Of
the case.
81 in their names the people Of Mi.sopri1 do
solemny protest against your intentions, and denv
your moral power thus to bestow their vote"
By what authority does Col. Benton enter this
protest against the intentions off IL