Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-10
nee" has been seized on by Mr. Leigh,

&C resistance" has been seized on by Mr. Leigh
:,,;l,. blow up in bis Letter so as 10 cover and
w ,t,. ,l,r doctrine Of obedience, 81 tuiy c1pNa'ed
> 49, ,b. kcpo,t One would think from the elaborate
80 ,b,s. enc words that tie Senator has scarce
w. ,bug else to d. than to be the organ OF his own will
,rb over the Legislature, TO checkmate and thwart
Hir movements His doctrine now IS, that instead OF
@ Senator being "srrrnnt, he Is erected into Por.
M * one party and the Legislature is another party
~ Goh pariies must. in the nature Of things Judge 70:
,lnseIvcs aud the only difference, between them Is
, the party resisting power, ressts it at his peril;
c alone suices in general, to determine him against
.;.,,ucc except in extreme cases
,Chn,. is another penomcnnn presented by the letter
T. hacks the cnnuAary OF its author by of the self.
,rrumcnts which urged against his Report at
I'D hy Mr.. Mercer the Federal author of the SuLStt
:.,. which was presented in its place. Mr.. Leigh now
il. mon the Importance Of the six years tenure OF
Scr hr. Mercer did the same in his Substitute. Mr.
insists upon the gravity and dignity, and he con
Is the consequent independence of the Legislature
, the instructions his opinion contrary to the
,,,,uon Mr. Mercer draws similar picture.
NJ Leigh says iurther-!le insists upon lederative
cn,c beng the balance Of the sys,em-a check the
,I- branch of the Leg Salurc, and the Executive;
minis on the People themselves, until they have had
:n n mature their Judgment. lie contends par u
iTr thai the permanent tenure for six years was
,rGcd TO check the greater powers OF single Execu
and he seems to follow the spirit Of the heresy OF
SI,,-un and his rehcll"us compeers, in this, that
.Tn.s f1ecucnt instructions, if they permitted
=. E,cs the resignation of Senator, would reduce
~; term OF Office, make him dependent on the plea
src of the State Legislature, and almost annihilate
80; Senatorial check the President. lie argues
,%t the President might address himself to the State
T,.I,,prcs TO- overcome bold and independent
Srnac and thus the check of Senatorial OPP
n1s,;on This suppostion pays but poor compliment
!, IN, wisdom or virtue Of the State Legislatures
T.is case would rarely, if ever, occur. But let US
,,ke two other suggestions. Suppose in the lst
uIace. facous Senate, majority Of which is
made I'D Of four five ambitious candidates for the
Presidency, and their loo ducu!e notwithstanding up
~ itself as sort of third Estate in the government
,,iinr To TIE President, we'll to tho II. Of R.
>,criicins its public duties to its factous desgns-and
lending itself to the support OF the most alarming
med ars,ocracy which overshadowed the Le rites
~ Inc land How then would the case stand Would
Nr L. still insist upon it, that their Senators ought to be
ceuepdcnt of their lcgislatures-defy their instruc-
tons upon any grounds they may be pleased TO trump
up-refuse cJcy resign their seats?-Or let sup
pose another euSeSuppose weak or corrupt Senate
10 club with aspiring President, and instead of check
ing his abuses, combine with him in his usurpa,ions
and sacrifice their cunsciences for reward. Would
Mr. Leigh place these above all official responsible
lty to their respective Legislatures: Would lie tell
them 10 consult their WILL 10 hold to their Office
and neither obey nor resign Mr. Leigh has hunt
ed up one very forced and improbable case. He has
oy 10 the medal; and he will find many other
c1es which would enforce the necessity Of efficient
esponsiblity of Senator to his State.
Mr. Leighs supposed case is not very probable, and
will rarely, if ever occur. The second case We have
Supposed Is passed over The virtue of the States
las Just corrected it, The third is the most dangerous
Csc Of all And what would be the situation Of the
country it, with President for four years. and Sena-
s elected for sixa combination Of their powers should
he formed, to crafty the ambition Of the President, and
tie avarice Of the Senator's Is there no resource -
There is, in the power Of the People checking their
State Legislatures the power OF the Legislatures
Checking their Senators by the Right Of Instruction..
Eat il that 'val principle Of free Institutions is
10 te paraysed by Mr. Lei modern doctrine may
then tremblc for the Constitution and our country.
Mr. Ty Ter declines the Dinner which has been tender
oclo him by the Wings Of fredericksburg DO they in
ir:i to offer Mr. Leigh also Dinner 1t is said, that
arrangements making here, for triumphant pro.
ccssion, great dinner, &c, &c. The Wings were 10