Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-02
Irro.n tho Maine Arsnsl

Rrsiox,r,ox OF Mn SrRAour.--NVc copy from the
.lIalowcll Advocate the letter of MIR senator Spague,
in which lac spprscs the Legislature OF his intended
signation the first day OF their session MIR Spags
term of Office expires the fourth OF March next IL
will be observed that he cl9uises the h9ncr and emo
luments of Senator of the United States Tor nearly
before the Constitution and his constituents
have snapped the thread of his official life
We invite the attention of our-rcadcrs the subloned
letter of the Hon Senator, in which they will observe
hc the anti Re publican doctrine the autlori-
~ of the LEoiSLArUnE, and OF the ProrIE also,
sruct or to demand resignation of their Senators IN
Congress
On the right of the Legislature 20 "dcmand the
render of the office" of Senator, he remarks:
'When at n former period, the Legislature
70 Itself right 10 demand tie surrender Of my c0icc,
thought myself bound by the highest aud solemn
obligations, to resist tina, high handed assumption Of
power, Nc. Il have so long and so
unequvocay withstood that assumption that & coaao
DC supposed to DC n any degree sanctioned 6y should
soon yield to my inclination retire, especially my
situation has been materially changed
Docs the Hon gentleman recognize the right of the
People to demand the surrender of the Office of Soma
tor What is the position assumed by him in relation
this right An appeal be taken directly the pco-
plc-but this is not enoughhc says that his resignation
cannot establish dangerous precedent, for that
':1here can rarely be such n coincidence of circum-
stances, and never 'rithom tic YOLL.NI.7Rf COtSLAT
OF the Senator himself to be placed directly before shc
whole PEOPLE as candidate tor their suiirages.'
The Senator here that the People have RIGHT
to demand the surrender of the Office of Senator only
when the Senator shall roinfdriiy directly
before them candidate for their sufiragcs. Nos
ter how clear may be the expression of the popular will
If the Senator does not consent thus be trd lac
not bound to abide the issue He must consent, in
other words make contract with the people resign if
the election shall go against him. and he does this
THEY have right TO demand the surrender of his of
hcc According to MIR. Sprague, then, their right de-
ponds on has 'consenand his duty to resign, the OBJ
legation which every honorable man. in or out of Office
feels to redeem his pghted faith and fulfil his deliberate
engagements! This is Republicanism, with a ven
geance
from the IIalowell Ad,ocatc1
To tie Members IF The Legislature IF Maine.
MISUNDERSTANDING ii proper TO give to appropri-
ate agents whom the people have designated for that
IN Tho hold
nate of the United States the earliest practicable
ment take this mode OF apprsing you that the Iegis-
ature WILL the first day OF its session, receive my
signaton Of the Office OF Senator do in order that
you may be prepared for immediate action upon that
portant subject.
Whcn former period the Legislature arrogatcd TO
itself right to demand the surrender of my Office
thought myself bound, by the highest and solemn
obligations TO resist that high hanocd assumption of
power, which, If submitted to- would entirely abrogate
an express and important provision of the Constitution
OF the United States changing the tenure of the
Senator from sr therein distinctly prescribed
To the precarious pleasure Of tc Legislature for the
time being, which that INSTRUMENT emphacally
repels. L have so long and unequvocally with
stood that assumption that IL cannot he supposed 10
be IN any degree sanctioned by me, should yield
TO my inclination TO retire, especially my situation has
been SO materially changed have recently, by my own
CONSENT been brought directly before the whole People of
the State candidate for the Office of their Chief Ma
gistratc The contest vigorous one, and turned
upon political questions in which had been aud might
again be called upon TO take part Peculiar circumstan-
ces, which preceded and attended the gave il the
character OF an appeal to the great primary of all
power-the PEOPLE. Their decision has been pro
nounced; and now perceive that any considers,
tons of public duty require sacrifice my feelings
and wishes, by continuing in office longer than
is necessary TO give to the Legislature opportunity to
elect another in my stead The precedent dan
gerous. There rarely be such coincidence of cir
cunsances, and never without the voluntary of
the Senator hmselfo be placed directly before the whole
PEOPLE a candidate for their suffragcs
ann, very respectfully, your obt servant,
PELEG SPRAGUE.
Hallowcl, November I7tli 1884