Southern telegraph., 1837-11-21
MEssRs. CLAIBORNE g. GHOLsON

MESSRS. CLAIBORNE g. GIOLSON
We believe that many of the 'ndepen
dent and hgh-minded members of the Val
Baren party unite with the Wings in thel
indignant condemnation of the course pur
sued by the gentlemen whose names heat
this article. The course of Mr.. Claiborne
in relation to National Bank, in his late
canvass, was Ito pretermit the harsh, bu
perhaps, Just charge Of dupliclty.) at leas
wanting in fairness and openness. There
is no doubt that he thereby forfeited the
good opinion of many warm friends. Upon
the heels of this source Of discomfort to his
friends, and increased opposition from his
political foes, followed his nnwise demand
offhis seat for the whole 25th Congress
Much might, and would have been forgiven
him by the generous people of the State,
but this, the cap-sheaf of his transgressions,
cxacts more than they can grant.
This act nvades their most sacred proper
ty, the elective franchise--it is at war with
their most cherished privilege and surest
defence, the frequent expression of their
will in regard to the conduct Of their agents
it would deprive them Of their undoubted
right of rewarfling the ssgood and faithful
servant" OF of casting out the Improbable
and idle.
When they went to Washington, in con-
sequence Of Mr. Claiborne's tcmporizing
conduct, upon the Bank question, Mr.Gho,-
son. we believe, was moro highly in favor
with the citizens of The State generally,
than his colleague. He went there, and the
papers told us that in his place he had de-
clared his determination to resign his seat,
even if it were confirmed to him for the
coming Congress. and submit the question
to the arbitramcnt of the State. Even the
Wings had respected him heretofore, for
his undisguised and manly opposition to
thens-all p,rties now admired him for his
honorable determination to occupy the seat
only in the event of election to it in Novem-
Der. Was this promise kept? Let it be
It'd
declares that he will hold it for the whole
Congress-.
The laws of Mississippi prescribe, in sub
stance, that in every November before the
commencement of Congress, an election
shall be held for members of that Congress.
AT no other time than at the general cleo
elected. All other elections are to fill
vacancies, or, perhaps, for extra sessions.
intervening between the dissolution of one
Congress and the regular meeting of ano-
Their We will not say that the members of
the past Congress are entitled to their seats
until others are chosen-it is unnecessary
to moot that question.
The called session could rot have be-
longed to the 25th Congress, for the first
session of new Congress, according to the
understanding certainly of those who franz
cd our laws, commences always in Decem-
her, Therefore, they fixed the period Of
election to 1t, in November. fit had beer
deemed that session of Congress, (and GER
sain'y SO obvious question must have been
noticed,) called after the 4lh of March. the |
time Of adjournment, was part and parcel
Of the succeeding and new Congress, would
they not have ordained the holding Of an
election at some proper period, which cleo |
ton would preserve unimpairod the repre- |
sentation Of the Statei Have not. then
Messrs. Claiborne and Gholson virtually
defied the laws of their own State. and conn
terya'led, as far as in them lay, their provis-
ions, by INSTRUMENTATION to keen their
seats, let the last election go IA i NM,
They, as far'as they can, have rendered the /
law providing for an elsction in Noyemher
at least for this yeaf: nulli.y.
They not only do this injury to thc;r con
stisuents, but they absolutely insult them hv
declaring, as Mr. Gholson does i. ths 6,
lowing extract from tho Globe IL H. =, Ard -, afI
October: -@that at he time 81 Il. and j..
colleagues election, there aoas NOT he .1;cht
est doubt among the people Of Mis.;..;pDi
Bat 1tat rhocrer srere elected, sccrc clectc5