Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-03-14

ed to have with them.
Mr.. F. asked, was it not even due
to the incumbent that such a course
should be pursued The Senator from
Virginia had recently taken stand in
the Senate. He (Mr. F.) would not
deny but that it was a manly and in
dependent stand. He made an expo
sition of his political credible had
thrown himselfupon the judgment ofthe
people of Virginia. Was it proper
that we should forestall that Judgment
Was it right uniformed as we are of
the sentiments ofthat people, that we
should respond to the appeal, and in
terpose between their Senator and the
people of Virginia. 1t is true the Con-
stitution has devolved upon us-not di-
rectly upon the people-the selection of
Senator. But on this, as on all our off,
cial acts, are but the mere agents of the
people, to give effect to their wishes
when we know them--to know them,
before we misrepresent them.
Let the voice of Virginia, of the
people Of Virginia, not the voice of a
minority party be represented in the
person of your Senator, whoever he
may be. He did not say which of our
Senator'S now in Congress most truely
represented the sentiments of the peo-
pie. He had no wish to penetrate into
futurity. The approaching elections
would clear up all doubt upon that point.
But let us not initiate the example of a
certain Northern Legislature, who,
elected just before an important revo-
luton in political parties occurred,
sought at the expense of the just repre-
sentative principle, to give freshness to
their declining hopes by the creation of
Senator for six years. The conse-
qaence has been, that for near six years
the political sentiments of those States
have been misrepresentation the nation
al Senate. Will it be said that the next
Legislature will have the right of in
struction? He had very little conf
dence in any right held at the caprice
Of another. The Legislature of New
Hampshire had instructed their Senator,
and what did it profit them? The Le-
gislature of Maine had instructed their
Senator, and in reply he has poured out
upon them torrent ofbitter and scorch-
ing sarcasm-made mirth of their igno-
rance and stupidity-denied their right
to instruct him, and asserted his equal
and superior right to watch and instruct
them. He did not think any Senator
from Virginia would treat this General
Assembly with the same contumely.
He was not equally well assured, if in
structed, they would obey those instruc-
tons. Men elected for six years, are
elected for almost the ordinary average
Of human life. In that time many rev.
olutions may occur-many chances OF
sin, of repentance and of reconciliation.
1t was not unfrequent in the House oil
Commons, we are informed, to have six
years of sin followed by one ofsuccess.
full repentance.
Mr.. +. said there was another point
ofview in wtichthe postponement ofthe
election with view, as avowed at this
time, of obtaining an expression ofpop.
ular opinion in the Spring, will have
the effect Discriminating TINT expression
/ of sentiment. 1t was known how diff.
| cult it was to elicit the sentiments ofthe
people upon mere abstract questions.
| They might hear of the doctrines oil
secession and condemn them-but they
were mere abstract errors, not attended
with any practical results, and there
fore would not very earnestly attract
their Reproduction. 1t was when prin.
ciples obtained tangible and natura
existence, by becoming incorporated
with the personal destinies of individu
ais and the measures of government
that they obtained their serious consid
Grafton. A fair occasion was now pre-
scented ogive to them that considera
ton. The Senator from Virginia who's
| time is about to expire, and who is un
| derstood to be candidate for re-elec
ton, has published his views of the ma
ture and powers of the government
and has followed them up by adopting
a course in direct opposition TO thos
measures, which are regarded by til
Administration essential to preserv
the peace and integrity of the Union
He did not now assume to say whethe
the Administrator or the Senator frof
| Virginia was right; but here was pre-
sented by the course Of each, point t
which the attention of the people coul
be drawn. Were they with the AID
imnistration or with the Senator fror
Virginiai Did they believe with tn
| Administration that this was govern
ment possessed with inherent powers c
: self preservation, or did they believ
with the Senator from Virginia, that
was a league of confederate Renuhlics