Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-12
Richmond, ThssrssIay, Ecl,. la.
PERLIC OPINION

kasESasut. ES-sP.
PUBLIC OPINION
The election of Mr. Leigh in dcimcc of the people
calls forth the strongest dcnuncatons from many of the
public Prints We lay a few more specimens before
readers.
(From The Eincastic Dcsaocraf)
even the most sanguine ofthe Friends of Mr. Rivcs
who have observed the movements Of the Opposition par.
ty cannot be disappointed in the result Of this election
Their fixed purpose of cecng his election has been
clearly cvncedby the cvasvc reexts which have been
rcsortcd by some "a AN excuse for dsobeyin the IN
sructons OF their constituents, while others have
50, without having it in their power offer these
wfonglcd excuses for their of disobciicnce
We have no doubt the people will at the Spring
teach their dsobcdent servants the nportan. lcsson
WHICH should never he lost sight of in Republican Go.
vcrnmcnt, representative is unworthy the
his constituents, who does not exccuafr tlper will when
(, cleary ascer,aned. The following extracts from the
Enquer. slew CLEARLY, that te will of the people had
been obeyed, Mr. Leigh could not have been elected
(From the Frederick (.aid.) Ciisen.)
'sThe recollection of Mr. Leigh involvnga it does an
attack upou the right of Instruction, for which, per-
Leigh himself. has produced great excitement in the
Old Dominion. The spirissSiGe people is up and the
unparalleled bitterness e WHO would not
be Instructed m their will be instructed out of them
his scat in the Senate the people will have sgncd their
will in reference to his election in that
be misunderstood And whatever may be their dccision
upon principle of consistency, he will be bound
obey it,
(From the Penns yralisn)
"Thcrc never was more gross violation of the pco
pies WILL thar that exhibited in the election of
Benjamin Watkins Leigh to the United States Senate
and the result will to arouse VIRGINIA at the Snrin
elections exhibition of her full democratic strength
The revolution in the Legislature of that State will be
root and branch work. The dsobeycrs of instructions
have 1T rs true, sent MIR. Leigh to the Senate for six
years but they have also scaled their own political fate
and have secured the regeneration OF Virginia Next
yet represented by such man Leigh"
(fron tie Ncio Iork Times)
"BenJamn Watkins Leigh has been reelected by the
Legislature OF Virginia. Senator in Congress from that
Commonwealth, for six years from the 18th of March
next lie is elected contrary to the wishes of the people,
and in direct opposition their clearly in
su%ons. The doctrine of the right of the Constituent
e the Sl a@as asi to obey
first conendcd for it, 1t part q her early political
creed and other States have derived it from her is Che
true to her ancient faith Is she democratic Virginia
still: Has she discarded amy article of her political
new herasiss Arc her neope so changed that
they are now willing to abandon doctrine when Asv
have sustained for thirty years These questions are
soon to be tried in that State-and who doubt the
decision that will he made Mr. Leigh not the choice
OF the people of Virginia. and before many months are
past lie and his supporters will find that such is the fact
"lappiy for the friends of the present Administration
there will be sufficient number of democratic Senators
at the session of Congress to give full and effective
support to the policy of that Administration The ecc
ton OF Mr.. Leigh therefore, is an event TO dis
courage us In the long it will be of service the
The Wing members of her Legislature who were elected
during the height of the panic fever will be oustcd from
their seats, and their places supplied by staunch demo-
Gratis who acknowledge their responsibility TO their con-
st'trens Virginia, niscd for brief period will re-
,fh, WIN feuouoed strength TO those principles and
doctrines which, for SO many years. thas been her pride
TO sustain and which now, for the first time have been
tranipled on by the Wings"
(frO,nNvk1 York EreniDg Post
lhe election OF SIr Watkins Lei presents VIC hi
lieve the first cxam1cn the history ftbs cuntrv
open avowed act OF this magnitude in direct opposition
to the expressed instructions of majority of hc con
stuenis OF the legislative body If the true sent-
ments OF a people were known and asccrtaned beyond
cav or question, it was in the case now before ma =
The instructions from the different counties of yir-
gnia, many OF whose members voted for Mr. Ieigh in
arect violation OF them, were sanctioned by n system
OF precautions and series of checks which preciuded
all possibility of fraud or drce ption If there ever
was country where the sentiments every freebooter
can be ascertaned and his signature procured il is Vir
gina, inhabited by settled population where will,
inc exception OF few towns, every qualified voter
sides his land distinct and separate from, bis
neighbour. The number of voters in each comfy ne
VIII be seen from the statement of Philo which we nub
iishcd on Monday IS exceedingly small compared with
OURS ana we do not hesitate to say that il the sentiment
oil majority of the voters of those counties which in
structcd their members and were dsobeved was moi os
certained beyond doubt that OCCASION then it can ne
yer DC ascertaned by any human No legislator
VIII ever IN future be instructed in such way as not ia
afford prctcxt for dsobcdicnce; and the robt
ton, of which Virginia was the iusrous Champion
viii be lost by her example
we do not pretend TO any improper int rfcrence with
inc internal affairs OF any member Of this Union But
this IL affair of universal interest The VITO f ,c
Senator of the United affects the whole nation,
policy Every free citizen of the United States tbcn
mas an interest that all the members of that BODY should
speak and act IN accordance with the will of his State
or resign station which was pivcn him under the i'm
Piled pledge of obedience. The example sci in tbe
choce OF Mr.. Watkins Leigh Of peculiar interest and
Importance, coming from State equally illustriou,
,1 inc great men it has given TO the republic and fo
the hrmness dignity and consistency with which che
has hitherto all occasions maintaincd the rights ~
the States and of the people"
on,