Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-04-28

to rescind, ought, should think, to sa.
tlsfy gentlemen that the right to ex.
punge is, at best, doubtful. Why, then
is that course, as to the constitutional.
| ty of which there is no question, and
which would present the whole merits
| of the contested resolution for consid.
Grafton, relinquished, and this course,
the constltutionality of which even its
advocates, though they have reasoned
themselves into belief that it is right,
must, presume, admit to be somewhat
questionable, preferred and resorted tot
| | am sorry my honorable colleague
thought it proper, on this occasion, to
denounce the Senate as the most ire.
sponsible body in this Governmrnt.
must say, that is of a piece with tho
denunciations Of the Senate, that have
been, for some time. going the round
Of the ministerial newspapers. 1t is
truly astonishing TO me that any states.
man should entertain such an opinion.
The President, welding the whole of
the vast patronage ofthis Government
and being, in the nature of things, the
head of the dominant party for the time
being, is, in every practical view, far
less responsible than the Senate; and,
ifthe gentleman's opinions Of the con-
stitutional powers and rights ofthe ex-
ecutive be correct, shall show him,
before have done, that the President
| is absolutely IRRESPONSIBLE.
But, il my colleague POUNDS this al
legation of responsibility against the
Constitution ofthe Senate on the length
of its term ofservice, think he must
admit, upon his own principles, that
the judiciary is yet more irresponsible;
and therefore, apprehend, that when
the Senate shall be disposed of, when
it shall be reduced to insignifcance
and utter inefficiency, the constitution
Of the judiciary department will be Ia.
ken up for subversion under pretext Of
reform. Indeed, the note OF war
against II has already been sounded.
presume my honorable colleague will
not deny that this alleged irresponsible
lity of the Senate, if It exist, is ordain-
ed by the constitution and then, | ask
him. whether to stigmatize the Senate
for that cause, to point public jealousy
and Indignation against it, to degrade,
to humble it at the foot Of the Prcsi.
dental throne, is not an attempt so far
forth as it may work, to effect
practical change in the constitution of
the Senate? and this for the very rca.
son that it has proved itself capable of
fulfilling (though but for brief space)
the purposes Of its institution; namely,
of exercising check on the Execu-
tive power and on the national popular
branch OF the Legislature. If the Se-
nate be not sufficiently responsible,
that may be good reason for resort.
ing to the direct remedy for this vice
in the government, and proposing an
amendment Of the Constitution but it
is no reason for fixing stigma upon
it, or for rousing the resentment of the
public against it. And it was with
surprise and chagrin that ! heard my
colleague urge this imputed irresponsi-
blity of the Senate, in an argument 10
show the propriety of setting a mark
ofignomny ON any ofits proceedings.
| Can the resolution be expunged from
the journal, in the true literal accepta-
ton ofthe phrase, without violation
of the Constitution /? The argument is
that the injunction upon each house of
Congress to keep journal is simply a
requisiton TO make one, which is to be
printed and published, and is to be
made only for the purpose of being
published that, after the publication,
the duty to keep the journal is at an end
THE printed copy is the iournal-the
manuscript copy is functus oGfcio--it is
mere waste paper-and the keeping Of
the original manuscript is only matter
of form. If this be true, what is it, |
ask, in the name of common sense,
what is it gentlemen are proposing to
do? Not to expunge an entry from
the journal Of former session Of the
Senate, but only 10 deface piece of
waste paper they have found in the
Secretary's office, which they, or the
Secretary, or any body else that can
lay his hands upon it, may destroy
without fault or blame; which they
might carry to the President, lay it at
his feet, and invite him to trample up
on this cast-away memorial Of the
transaction ofthe refractory Senate, or
throw IT into the flames, or order it to
be burnt by the common hangman
which any man may, without fault or
hazard, the moment after the expung-
ing process shall be completed, tear in
pieces, and give TO the winds. Do gen.
tlemen seriously desire to expunge the