Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-01-17

lion deserves consideration. The minds OF
The neooIe GU ght not 10 be Influenced oy sach
sx,r.,,ous consderations;-and above all, the |
nrinciple. Of our oons,i,utio ought not to be
abused. by admitting, for a smomen, that the
nlurality Of the votes, given TO Grn: Jacksoh'
should have governed the choice OF the House
ofR-nresen,a,ives. We do not mean 10 say,
that a proper respect, for the wishes oil the ta-
ton fairly ascerIained, ought not always 10 DC
observed 5y its representatives.. But we DO
saw. ,ha, the presen, chief magistrate holds MS
seat. by The wfn Of the people OF the y. STATES
regularly expressrd,in the only way,in which On
expression ofthat will has any authority. iu'
have willed, in the most solemn iorm'-i" w.
form of constitution, which they declare s"a,'
be the supreme law Of the land,-'ha, P'uia''
ity of votes shall not constitute an e'ec''o"'
that when there is such pluraiity, inc rep'e
ta,ives shall elect, voting by s'a'es-,.thus VII,
drawing from the people, thatequai'' Oh '""
rnce which is given them, in the first vote, anu
transferring it TO the States, in the seco"u
This proyision of our constitution is III VI.
true spirit which pervades the whole Of IT, anu
which marks il the result of conference
tween States, surrendeiing in part, ana r,'a,: :.
ING in part, their political equality onai' '"is
shirt be appealed from, OIL every occasion. ~
which il was Intended 10 soothe and con- l'ld"'
and the spirit Of faction be in, oked, I" expose
our magistrates TO unjust prejudice, and bring
our institutions into discredi? These things
al. evolutionary, in their tendency, and oush'
10 be- discouraged.
OF like character is the complaint aga'ns'
the Kentucky delegation, for sregardi"S the
instructions of their Legislature. we nave
too MUG respe CT for the Legislature OF Mem
ruckv to suppose, that thew meant 10 ohho "'e
dele cation by an instruction. we can ON!
suppose, that they meant to furnish the oeSt
information in their power, OF the opinions "i
the people, on a question, when hao ne!''
been submitted to item Such lniorma"on
vas entitled to the respect due TO lnte'Iigfh'
opinion, and no more. 1t was not the con-
s,i,ulional organ, through which the VIII Of INV
people was 10 be conveyed to the fepr'se"'a-
live. The representatives in congress "e't
directly responsible 10 their constituents, ho' u
| he Legislature. Ard an attempt OF lhe regis
lature 10 control the immediate IT pr'seh'a'V'S
| of the people, would be a usurpatlon upon u,
rights Of the people; an act, which instead 9.
| deserving obedience. or even respect, required
resistance and even, repro5aiion. The ialtn1u'
representative will obey the instructions o, ms
Constituents whenever consti,utlonalIy given
! He viii nav respectful a"ent'un 10 heir wish
&c. and every evidence of h'ir wishes. But,
when not Sound hy instruction, he will look 0e :
yond he inn e. feet evidence, oil their will, IN
| formally conveyed, he will rest upon the coni
chsions nf his own mind, FORMED from The best
lipb, he can Obtain, wilt consult his country
! pood.- land firmly mcel the responsibility Oh
isasy ,sss~ t2r u ID ~ Aisl4 I
to shelter themselves from responsible ", u,-
der the cover of Legislative rccomn NJ ton
consul ling their own Judgements, h y pr, fer
red the man thought most capable Of ad. ancIng
he Interes, of his county,. Z her. i, M
question, 'ha Virginia then conCurred in the
ops ion, and approved the &C,
This vote, which, # honestly given, is an af-
fair chiefly betwe en- III" representative aud his
cunstilutn,s, " ould rot have been obtruded on
your atlenrIon, had il not been connected with
a charg. If grave import, made upon the pu-
! rity OF ths election, impeac ling The integrity
Of the chief magistrate Of The nation, and toe
fest mber Of MS cabinet. This charge, IN
lis strongest form, imports tina, at the last cleo
ZION, the vote of the Kentucky delegation was
in lie marke, for the highest bidder, that II
was nF red to candida t, and being refused
BY him, was sold to the other, and that the
consideration o! the vote, was The vffce of SEC
rotary If st t., bestowed IN Mr. CLAW If this
were we should not hesitate TO finn that it
-,
and renders hem forever unworthy OF public
trust.
This charge, not 50 strongly, however, as
has been here stated, was u ade, fo tue first
time, pending the Presidents rlrct,on. II
was promptly met. and challenged by Mr..
Clay, and deserted by is Supporters. They
rallied again after the etec ion, gave i, for m
somewha, varit d, drew lis al, some ,mpos-
ing circumstances and, at last gave II the pub.
lie sancton Of Grn. ia, kson's name Mr.
Cl~y again publicly denied il, call,d for The
proof, and challenged enqniry No proof has
appeared 20 snsian il, n" erq"iry has been in.
s.ituted, ard now, in all its phase, it stands
r-proba,ed, by body of proof, SO strong and
so convincing, as 10 require from he leas,
charitable its open d,avowal, and fom the
most suspicious, candid acknowled sen4-i,,
,tat they have done injustice in even think,
ingi probable.
IL may not be unworthy of notice. a. one 0
tine means, by which the public mind as 2een
prejudieed and inhamsd, that opinions III ,..os,
offensive to republican people, hAv n.rn un-
warran ably and uncandidly inferred from sum,
OF the Dresidyn $ communications 10 coipre