Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-02-25
EDe GAZETTE:
n a nT1M . BuRG, VA.
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY rs, 1896.

tanned by many, that these famed resolutions
were introduced into the Virginia Legislature
by the administration leaders therein, not SO
much for the purpose Of causing the obliteration
from the journal Of the United States Senate, Of
what to them and their party was an offensive
record as for, the purpose of driving from the
Senate two Of ITS members, enough TO sat
intent Of the measure might be afforded by a We
ry slight examination Of the manner in which the
the members of the party in the House of Del.
egates met and voted down several proposed mo-
difcations Of this seryile concern.
The first proposition thus voted down aimed at
striking out the word expunge,' and at inserting
'rescinded, repealed, rendered null and void
in its stead. This proposition was put down by
this same identical measure has been declared
by the administration members Of the Senate,*
as their votes in the last Congress do testify, TO
contain all that was intended to be contained in
the orig nal resolutions Of the Missouri Senator,
and that its adoption would accomplish the end
for which he and his party were striving: viz:
the nullity of an act that was in the highest de.
gree offensive to the feelings of the President.
Another proposition voted down by the majority
in the House Of Delegates majority that calls
itself democratic for its object the refer
ence of the instruction resolutions TO the people
at the April elections, for the purpose Of obtain
ing an expression Of their wishes and feelings
in regard to the measure. This motion was put
down by vote OF 81 TO ID. This vote, coming
as it does from party who profess to hold in
reverence the judgment aud decisions Of the PEG.
pie upon matters Of public concern, who profess
SO much Willingness to submit their every act to
the dear people, for sanction or censure, looks,
10 us, like anything but democratic vote, or
an adherence to those principles laid down by
the opponents of its do Grimes as the basis Of
repubIicanism, and, by its organs, preached TO
the world as the ground work of its political
creed. The last modification voted down was
one declaring that the Legislature has no right
TO instruct its Senators TO do an unconstitutional
act or TO commit an act Of moral turpitude-
emplfication, truly, Of the estimation in which
the rights of senators are held by those with
whom party considerations are paramount to all
other, and Of the length TO which party spirit
will drive tkospswho give themselves up to its
hayward direction.
The only conclusion that can be arrived at,
with these facts staring us in the face. is as we
before stated, that these resolutions were not
forced through the House Of Delegates for the
mere purpose of blotting Mr.. Clay's resolution
from the journal Of the Senate, but for the par
pose Of coercing the resignation oftwo distn-
guished Senators, who happen to stand in the
way of Executive usurpalion, and whose places
are wanted for some Of that numerous train of
eXpectants who cry give, give, and who, from
their own confessions, have an unshaken belief
in the correctness Of that doctrine, which claims
for the victor the spells Of the vanquished. Had
not this been the object and aim of these resolu
could have been made to take the place Of a mea-
sure that, within the past year, has received the
sanction and support of even the great father of
nxpunging himsclG' Surely it would seem that
the virtues, the efficacy, or the import of
could not have been much impaired
in the space Of twelve months, as to render it Of
no consequence when, within that time il has
been declared all sufficient TO meet the desires
of those who wish TO remove from the national
journals that which is NORWOOD and gall TO the
tender feelings Of the Chief Magistrate The
place is wanted, and the main object of the in
structions TO the Senators is TO force them 10 re-
sign their seats, to PROSTATE The American Senate
at the footstool Of the Executive, by creating for
him majority in that body who will lend him
their assistance in carrying out whatever meas
ure may be deemed necessary TO sustain the at.
tempt of the present dynasty TO control the des-
TIMES of this republic. Had nought but expun-
ging' been the object in view, we doubt, very
much doubt whether a majority of the House of
Delegates, would have been found willing 10 de. !
clare, by their votes, that the Legislature has
right to instruct Senators in Congress 10 do an !
act in violation of that instrument which they |
have solemnly sworn 10 protect and preserve
Tor it cannot be denied that voting against a res.
oluticn deny ing this right TO the legislature is
virtually declaring that the right 10 give such |
instruction is one among the vested powers of
that body. That all this has been done, has not !
been, neither can it be, denied-and for what |
has il been done for bringing about any public !
good? for the purpose Of achieving any act that |
might benefit the nation that could not have been |
achieved without these Instructions No, far |
from any Of these considerations is the motive !
that has dictated this course 10 those who have |
pursued it. 1t has not been commended, even by |
the expungers themselves, that any good TO the |
nation TO the cause of liberty, or TO any other |
cause, save that ofpartv, selfish, intolerant, and
Unsuitable party, would could result from the |
the resignation Of those on whom the measure
was intended to take effect What a picture !
for the gaze of the world, what q theme for The |