Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-01-08
[From the New-York Courier Enquirer.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. Dec. 18th, 1884.

1t was my intention to have devoted this
letter, to an examination of the doctrines of
the democratic party Of 1898, as to the treaty
making power. But so mnch is daily SAID
and written, by the administration men, on
the subject of Senators misrepresenting their
States, that have concluded to present some
"reminiscences Of my own times" Before
do tins, however, ! have a few words to say
as to the Constitution.
! This is neither the time or the place. to dis
cuss the Constitutional provision, that the
term of Senator shall be for six years.
| 1t is proper, however, TO remark, that the
Senate was created, and this period of SER
vice agreed upon, to render that body more
independent, more permanent, and as check
upon the other branch of Congress, in the
event OF its becoming, at any time, subject
to the influence OF temporary popular eX-
citemcnt. The same principle prevails, in
some form. in greater or less degree, in all
the State Constitutions. Ii is modern dis
covery, that a Senator should resign his sta
tion, whenever, and as often as the Legisa-
ture OF his State changes Its political charac-
ter. 1t would render the appointment an
nual, instead of once in six years. This doc
trine carried ont. would make the Senate a
most tluctuating and unstable body. 1t would
not only defeat, but would render ridieulous,
the design of the trainers of the Constitution.
So far from Its being the duty of a Senator to
pursue this puere and vascillatlng course,
he is unworthy of that exalted station, if he
has not the manly frmness to breast the tor
rent, while he consclentiously sustains the
fundamental principles, upon which the Con-
stitution is based. But what dreamer, until
this new tangled democratic party came into
power, ever suggested the idea, that Sena-
tors should resign annually, if there was a
change of sentiment in their Legislatures
annually? Was this the doctrine of Edward
Livingston, former Secretary of State? Oi
Louis M'Lane, late Secretary of State? OF
Levi Woodbury., present Secretary of the
! Treasury; OF Mahlon Dickerson, now Sc
cretary of the Navy? Let us retrospect, and
examine few cases during the administra-
ton of Mr. J. q. Adams.
! First Mr.. John Chandler, Of Maine
/ That State, in all The branches of its govern
mcnt, was in favor of Mr.. Adams's election
The people, by an overwhelming majority
were for sustaining his administration and
yet Mr.. Chandler remained in the Senate for
POUR years, decided opponent of the Exec
utvc and his measures. Did the Legislature
ask him to resign?
Second Mr.. Woodbury., Of New-Hamp.
shire. In 1924, this gentleman was Speake,
in the House of Representatives of,hat State
lie avowed himself the political friend of Mr.
Adams. He electioneered, personally, will
the members of the Legislature, to obtain an
appointment to the Senate of the United
States. lie represented, to the friends OF
Mr.. Adams, the Importance Of having Sc
nator to aid Mr.. Bell in supporting the adj
ninistration. On these grounds he was cleo
ted; came to Washington, and opposed the
administration, during the whole period il
was in power. Thus misrepresentng his
State. The most humble and obsequious
cats-paw, it is said, that Mr.. Woodbury. now
has, in the nation, is Isaac Hill, who, in a
letter, addressed 10 the Hon. Secretary Of the
Treasury, previous to their treaty of alliance
/ says,
! "You hint, ns n reason for nv opposing
/ you, that cannot manage you, so as to nm.
swer all my purposes Have not sir, in my
/ pocket. the evidence of your scryilty. IN y
letter dated after your nomination, Uor Gov