Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-07-12


o not believe. 1t is subject emincntly
eMn.!viuhg and disiastefui, except TO mind,
familiar with financial details admit thai
aN4ohg our politicians there is vast ma
Jorly IN favor OF the Sub-Treasury ant
.het strenuous efforts are making to form
ane consolidate party on this question:
Ana ! iurther admit that it may be abou
assconvenlent one for prescription as car
DC aeslgned. Nor do pretend to say tha,
a Waority of the people may not, by the
iarce OF party discipline, "wilh proper ap-
Piapces to boot" he brought TO sustain this
measure, extraordinary as it may seem. A
iewfrlap traps aud cant phrases will often
accshP Phsh what the profoundest phloso-
ply Cannot effect. 1.-The emancipation oi
tue south from tn" commercial thraldom
OF the North,' and"a direct trade with Flu
rope" from the flexible lips of IA cunning
detnagogue, will work wonder; and many
honest aud deudcd subjects will scarcely
give themselves time to ask how locking uL
gold and silver in huge CycIopcan safes,
WIN correspondent issue in their stead OF
'rred'smable continental paper money, cal
accoraplSh this purpose. Tney will take
the prophecy on trust until defeat has put
the hulnbug TO light, or AN explosion has
brought it to the conE,rtnble position a,
whlc!,i, now rcsls-an Independent, Trca
sury perfectly bankrupt.
Atpr, sent tho people of South Carolina
have regarded tho Sub Treasury scheme
with about as much Indifference as thew
havethe popular hunbuss of Animal Mag
nctislI' anA Phrcnology. | am quite sure
they are equally prepared to sanction our
instrucilng our Senators and Representa-
ti>es to vote for the Exploring Expedition
ia measure oil far more innocent respon-
sibllity, which connot involve the beygary
oi our people and the corruption of our pub
lie servants.
Thetcategory, therefore, in this resolu
ton cannot vote for without violating INV
own sense Ot vcractiy.
Let me now say word on the second
luton, the most pregnant of all, which,
ny cunning device, inSinnates au nstruc
tlon To the refractory members of Congress
AT least 1t enunciates a fearful admoniliou.
The resolution is III these words, IRE
solpe6 Nat in the opinion of this Legislature
t.ss iSssi .indieafet -ias-i ihasa ~rtas@.
t'huI Is, che resolutions approving the Sub.
Freas,nyl is essential to the hest interest,
OF the country; and that any public servunt
who refuses to promote the same, pursues
course mjuriou, to the welfare and pros.
perity of the State"
This resolution, Sir, is certainly very
modest and unpretending. The Legisla-
turc has clear and incontestibIe rsht Ia
express its opinion that the Sub Treasury
Is measure essential TO the best Interests
of the country, and that all who differ in
opinion - ith them are pursuing Il course in
furious to its welfare and prosperity. Bnl
ATE not our mcuhers OF Congress equally
entitled to their opinion! And If it hap
pens TO be precisely the converse Of this
dogma, may they not solace their conscien
ces with the belief that in point of fact they
are pursuing course best calculated tu
promote prosperity and welfare of the cOun-
try when they oppose tho Sub Treasury
scheme! Is not This opinion precisely as
broad as it is long! And il is narrowed
down at last into, sir, your opinion. and nv
opinion, and any body's opinion; aud the
declaration sinks into Il neutrality about as
absurd as it is harmless. / admit il con-
talns threat; but in this point of view it i,
not so potential as to be beyond all human
f"ierhtion. A scare-crow it unqucslionn-
bly is, but such All one as old MuZZlcion in
the cornhcld, that respectable per>unagr
who has stood for so ulanv years in The same
spot, bloated with his straw and dead
feathers, whom the very ron.:s may eye
with perfect safety.
Sir, those who concocred these rcsou.
lions are perfectly aware that South Car,
lima repudiatcs the doctrine Of instruction
1t has never found favor in her eyes,
The example which has been cited of the
instructions sent to our delegation to oppose
the tariff, do not apply. They were in
tended TO strengthen, not to weaken on,
delegation: to give them confidence in rhcil
course; not to violate their cOnsciences: he
cause they were known to concur with the
unanimous opinion of nearly our " hole pco
pie on that topic. The ctl'or, before us i.
certainly the first settled design TO instruc
and by indirection To reach tho conscience
of a ref Iactory member.
do not propose, sir, nj this time, to dis.
cuss the doctrine Of instruction. must
however, assume the privilege Of saving
that according to my humble view, The ex
ercise Of this doctrine involves rs gross a,
usurpalion an fallacy in political ethics a.
can well be conceived.
In the first place, the constitution give
us the right to elect, hut give us no right t,
| depose our Senators the very end and scop,
| ofthe exercise ofthe right Of instruction.
| lf il was designed that we should exercis,
this formidable power, it ought tn have beer
given by an express grant in the constiln
tion; Otherwise its assumption must be usur
patton.
1t is fallacy, because it proceeds like
wise oil the modest assumption that we arr
hetter informed on tho .ubiect on which th
member Of the National Congress is to ex
ercse his judgement and conscience, tina
hinself-athough specially within his con
siiiutional jurisdiction and competence; a n