The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-19


INSTRUCTlON-THE VIRGINIA DELE
CATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIyES.
The right of the constituent to instruct and the
obligation of the representative to obey, we believe
TO be Of the cardinal points in the creed Of Vir-
ginians of all parties. We have seen one Of the
Senators from that State instructed by both the great
political parties.
II matters not, in our opinion, whether those in
sructons come direct from the people by an une-
quivocal expression OF their opinion through the
ballot boxes in any measure upon which an issue is
made, or are given by those who, under such cir
cumstances, they elect to represent them.
In 1882 General Jackson placed his veto on the bill
that had passed both Houses of Congress rechaer
the Bank of the United States In the same year
thereafter he was reelected President of the United
States. That circumstance, he said Tin his cabinet
paper of the 18th September, 1882 he considered
I" a decision Of the people against he6ank" Mr.. Van
Buren, in his celebrated letter to Sherrod Williams,
took the same srean. both In regard the re-elec-
tion Of General Jackson and to himself if elected TO
the Presidency. II, after the emphatic manner in
which he expressed himself in that letter. against
National Bank, he should be elected be should look
upon it as decision of the question by The people
pie, majority of whose suffrages was to be looked
upon in the light of instructions to their public
wants. The question, though an abstract one, was
made the issue before the people. In the positions
assumed by the Elk President as well as the Presi-
dent we most fully concur. ~ Al
We hold the doctrine, that whenever and however
the opinions of hepeope may be fairly expressed
any great measure of public importance, in which
~ taJ n
tives are bound to act in accordance with them All
who fail so 10 act must consequently be classed with
those who hold to the principlehat, The action Of tie
Representative is not 10 be Palsied By the arW Of his
constituents
The result of the recent elections in Virginia, in
our opinion, contains not less emphatic expression
of the feelings and wishes ofthe people of that State
in regard to the Subtreasury than did those of the
United States which resulted in the elections of Gen.
Jackson and Mr. Van Buren,, against the Bank of
the United States.
The Sub-treasury had been twice recommended
TO Congress, previous to the Virginia elections by
the President 1t had been extensively discussed,
and was one of the most exciting subjects that ever
agitated the country or divided the people. 1t is
well known that it was the great question on which
the issue was made, and on which the election turn.
ed throughout the State. 1t was Snbtreasury or no
Sub-treasury. 1t resulted in clecting,
Opposed to sub-,reasury, c Mngs = =
In favor Of the same .e,.- A
More than two-thirds of the representatives elect
ed to the popular branch Of the Legislature, are OPP
posed to the measure, twice recommended by the
Chief Executive Magistrate Of the Union, and then
pening to be acted on thereafter by the representa-
tves of the people of Virginia in the National Le-
gslature.
What more direct and emphatic instructions could
the people Of that State give their representatives in
Congress- than were given in the result of this cleo
ton Yet we are informed il is confidently expect
cd that a majority Of the members from that State
will vote for the Subtreasury and that some who
profess to belong to both political parties, are en-
braced in that number ...
How can this be Have the people of the Old
Dominion surrendered up the right of instructing
their representatives which they have uncompro-
misingly exercised at all times since the foundation
of the Government Or have their representatives
resolved to act independently of their constituents
and in total disregard of their expressed WILL fol-
low in the wake Of Executive lead, and yiedto its
dictation2
Arc there some Of those members who are sus-
tanned in their support of the measure recommend
ed by the President by majority Of the votes re-
Gently given by the people Of the district represent
ed by them /? Surely, that cannot be tho case with
all OF them.
When the influence of the Executive becomes so
great that it can be exered, either to seduce or to
overcome the representative to disregard the viii OF
the constituent in regard TO measures Of national I'M
portance, emanatng from the Executive, then, we
think the people will have just of alarm Are
we not rapidly approaching that state OF thingsf
Indeed, has il not arrived
What will the people Of Virginia, who have ever
jealousy watched and opposed any increase Of Ex-