Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-01-16

should have governed The choice Of the House of Re-
P'e'enea''ves We do not mean 10 say, that proper
respect Tor the wishes of the nation fairly ascertaped
ought not always to be observed by its representatives
but we do say, that The present chic! magistrate holds
MS seat, by the wfbf the people of the United State,
regularly expressed IN the only way il. which an ey
preston OF that will has any authority. They have
"heu' In the most solemn f0rm,-in the form of 4
consH'n'ion, which they declare shall be the supreme
ID" oil Tie iand,-tha plurality OF votes shall no,
constitute an c!eciioD-thai when there is snch p,u-
ra'y the representatives shall elect, voting by states
ms Withdrawing from Che people, that equality of in
huence which Is given them, in the Grs; vote and
transferring 1t TO The States in The second This nro
vision OF orr consituon is in the true spirit which
perVados the whole of il, and which marks il the re
sun Of conference between States, surrendering in
part anu retaining in part. their political equality
ANAL this spirit be appealed frou, every occasion
IN which 1t was intended 10 soothe and concate and
'he SPIRIT OF !arnn be invoked expose our magis
a'es 10 unjust prejudice, and bring institutions
'n'o nacred't' These uipgs revolutionary, 10
'hcr Tendency, aud ought TO be discouraged.
Oh like character is the complaint against the Ken
lucky delegation for tsregarding the instructions of
their Legislature. We have too much respcc for tire
Legislature of Kentucky suppose, hat they meant
( 10 tina the delegation; By instruction. We can
only suppose that they meant 10 furnish the best in
i'tnatiDn, in their power Of the opinions of the neo-
pie, on question, which had uevcr been submitted TO
tlIeTl. Such information was entitled TO Se rcenect
Lue TO Intelligent opinion, and no more II was not
thn constitutional orgap through which he will o The
people was 10 be conveyed the representative The
epresentatiyes-n congress directly respousble
TO t4c.r 10 the nd
ATTEMPT OF the legislature TO control the immediate re-
presenatives of the people, would be a rsurpaton
upon the rights of the people, act, which instead
oi deserving obedicncp even respect required re
Sis;ance and even Reproduction. The faithful repre-
sentative Viii obey the instructions OF his constituents
whenever constitutiona!Iy given. He will pay re.
spect!u attention to their wishes and every evidence
OF their wishes Bu:, when not bound by Instruction.
nc vii! look beyond the imperfect evidences Of their
viii, Informally convcyedhe will rest upca the con-
ciusiops of Lis mini, formed from tic best lights
he can obtain, will consult his country's gsoi, and
i'nly meet the responsibility of those acts he deems
proper for IFS attainment. This we believe the Ken
noiy delegation dill. They were not n.,ructed;--
they did not choose 90 shelter themselves FROM sespon
biIity, under the OF legislative reconnenda-
on coesu!'in2; :leir judgments, they preferred
est o! his country -aad there is no question: thai ir
Gina then concurred in tire opnen and spr,oycd the
act.
This vote, which, honestly given, is an affair chief
ly between the representative and his constituents
would nc; have bee" o5trIci yoHr attention. had it
not been connected with charga OF grave mport
made upon tie purity OF tue election, npcaching The
integrity Of tic chief magistrate the nation arl the
FIRST member in his cabinet This charge, in its strong.
est FORM imports that al The last election :Io vote OF the
kentucky delegation II The market. for the ighes.
S!dd0r,-tiat it c;areh 20 candidate, and be-
ing refused by him, sold to the otA6r,--aad that the
consideration OF the vote, the Office Of secretary OF
state, bestowed on Mr. Clay. Ii this true, we
should not hesitate to affirm that ii stamps infa'ny on
the characters Of the guilty. and renders them forever
unworthy Of public trust.
This charge so strongly, however as las been lere
stated made, for The first time, pcsding the Prcs-
dental election. 1t promptly met, and challenged
by Dir Clay, and deserted by lis supporters. They raj
lied again after the election, gave it form somewhat
varied, drew TO lis and imposing circumstances
and at last, gave il the public sanction Of Cen Jack
sous Mr. Clay again publicly denied it, called
for the proof and challenged enquiry. no proof has
appeared TO sustain IT. enquiry has been instituted
and in all its phases it stands rcprobatcd, by
body OF proof strong aid convincing, require
from the least charitable its open disayowaI and from
The most suspicious a CANDID acknowledgment thai
they have done injustice in thinking II probable
! 1t may not be unworthy Of notice, Of the
means, Jy which the public mind has been prejudood
End riIained that opinions tie most offensive TO re-
publican people have been unwarransabiy and uncan-
jidy Inferred from Of tie presidents comnun;ca
tons to congress, and gravcy imputed TO him doc
tnes in his POLITICAL creed. lie has occasion,
mol perhaps with strict rhetorical rroPrety used the
PRESTON "paIsicd by to will of couslituens-ir
reference 10 du'os enoined by the constitution This
phrase has been from lis contest njsinterpreted
and used the authority upon Shch, The president is
charged vitb The heresy that representative Owes nc
obligation 10 tc will Of his constituents. On another