The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-03-02
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House was IN error, YOU could not exercise
your rights; aud simple resolution Of the
Federal House cf Representatives, hy this
decision, is sufficient, at any time, not only
TO modify but TO destroy the right Of repre-.
senta,ion of any or every State 10 the Union.
No one denied that, in pursuance Of the
law and the Constitution, YOU had elected
Inc as your Representative. II was your
right 10 cleo, any body lha, was denied. II
was decided that your election in July was
void, on account Of the November election,
and that the November election was void,
on account of the erroneous decision of the
House IN favor of the July election. Thus,
at a period when, of all others, your inter.
ests most require attention, aud questions
OF vital importance are a-l;sting the coun.
try, YOU are jugsled gu, of your whole right
Of representation in the popular branch Of
the National Legislature, and The reason
assigned is, that the bunders Of the House
OF Representatives are constitutional laws,
States, aud Of force sufficient to annul the
same. Doctrines So federal we're never be.
fore advanced IN this Government and, if
they be correct, thea is the House Of Re.
representatives. despot, and the rights Of the
States exist only in imagination. Ii such
doctrines are correct, what prevents Con.
gress from declaring itself perpetual-a
TDmp Parllament-and then asserting, as
they have IN the present instance, that, so
long as that decision remains unrescinded,
the constitutional power of the States to
hold their regular elections Is suspended, and
their laws nullifed.
Upon the question Of the validity Of the
November election, the vote stood at tie,
and the Speaker had the glorious luamy
of deciding II against you. A slu.e Rep
resentailve from another State exercised The
power of denying your right to any repre-.
senta,ion; and the stlll small voice Of Jas.
X. Polk deprived you of that which hun
dred thousand bayoaets could not have
forced from you.
wish you distinctly TO understand tha,
your right Of election, either in July or
November, has been solemnly denied and
repudIated. | told the House that you
would not submit quietly 10 have your e.
iective franchise trodden beneath the iron
heel Of federal despotism, and that lhera
was no possession you would not sooner
part with than your right of representation,
that great legacy Of the Revolution
Was | nigh, or was wrong IN linus speak
Ing for you Whether right or wrong,
spoke my own sentiments, when denoun.
ced, as did. the action OF the House as
plain and palpable violation of the consI'u
ton; foul, high handed, and tyranncal
usurpaion. | looked with scorn and deri.
sion upon The juggling and hypocr,tical
pretence OF sending the election back for
the purpose OF asceftaIblng your wishes,
when YOU had spoken, through all your Ie-
gal and constitutional iU,ns, in yoce
which an IDIOT could not fail TO have un.
derstood. The House has decided that
both your elections. in July and November,
are VOID; and yet they permit the Repre-
sentative from Arkansas 20 hold his seat IN.
der two elections precisely parallel.
tell YOU candIdly and honestly my own
opinion OF The whole transaction, aud have
been close and attentive observer. believe
you have been baseIy deirauded oil Your e.
lectlve franchise simply because you dad no,
choose IN exercising II, TO consult the poltI.
cal taste and complexion of the majority IN
the House. II IS for you TO say whether gu
will bow 10 submission to the rod, and sac
rltce your great sacred rights at the shrine
OF party dlc'atlon, or whether YOU will as
seri your right, free and unlrammeled, to
eject whom you please as your Representa-.
lives.
lhe true contest now IL, whether ycu or
the House of Representatives shall desig
nate the individuals who shall serve YOU
10 that body. TO the honorable and high.
minded of all political parties | appeal, for
dignIfled and determined assertion of the
right Of election. Believing, as do, be-
fore Heaven, that | am a CONSTITUTIONAL
Representative, in spite ofthe tyrannlcaI and
arbitrary action Of the House and beIlev.
ing, too, tina, the honor and character Of
the citizens Of Mississippi are deeply in.
volved m the action winch they may take
IN relation to this matter, have deemed il
nv duty TO address you some account Of
the high errand upon which you sent me.
j regret that my task has been but half ac.
complished The usurpers have been dry.
en- from the Capitol; but your Representa-.
tives have been denied admit,ance. 10 the
best of my humble ability, | have obeyed
your high behest. Ii now devolyes upon
You to assert, in such manner as bouof and