The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-26
To His Excellency Pierce BUTLER,

To His Exceency PIERCE Butler, H..
GVronor Of South Carolina.
WASHINGTON, June 20, 1898.
DEAR Sra: The House has just refused by an al
most unanimous vote, to reconsider its decision upon
the Subreasury bill. as reported by the Committee Of
WAYS and Means. That decision YOU will have heard
was xpecedy made yesterday afternoon; the Com
mi,tee of the Whole having struck out the enacting
clause and made report accordingly, and the House
ordered the previous question: suddenly, that many
who were DESTROYS Of expressing their sentiments
the great question, deprived Of opportunity Of
doing so in debate. was ono of them. Situated as
was in consequence OF the repeated declarations OF the
Legislature. it was my own opinion, well as that Of
all my friends here, that manifest proprety, if nothing
more, required that should assign the which
determined to disregard those declarations. Not
that would be understood admitting under
cunsances, the right Of that body to instruct to any
bRding effect, the representatives OF the people in
other sphere certain " do no such thing. My views
that subject generally we're expressed very distinctly
in the Southern Review III paper upon Halls Ira
wells in America, Qs29) have seen no reason to
change them quite the contrary am sure they met
with the hearty Of the great majority OF the
people OF South Carolina at that time and am yet to
learn that any revolution in public opinion has taken
place since II would, in my judgment, be depora-
bic falling off II II were When came here IN Sep
TENDER, found that The moral influence arising from
our supposed Independence in this particular, was al
u
very precious one II would inallbly perish under the
savsh doctrine by which it is attempted "to our
free SPIRITS" and to turn the members Of these high de-
Lucrative bodies into tools Of popular leaders out Of
doors. The idea is incompatible with our dignity as
men and Caronians-its at with the great 6rst
principle of the moral order Of the unyersercspons
hhiv---which it would utterly destroy in Govern
ment in the constituent as well as in the representative
II is neither less than to claim right OF
every elective body that odous privilege Of the peerage
4 4
much atten,iopthe vote by proxy--thc privilege OF
participating a decision without hearing the argument
Suppose all argument cut of, as might well be
der such system. by the previous question, and every
representative voting perpetualy under instructions,
and you have the ideal perfection Of aelbcratve
sembly constructed according TO these notions, body
which it would be fat,cry TO call Rump Parliament
or to compare with the Senate Of 1ibeIus and Cali
gns.
Considered principle Of regular government
the doctrine Of which am speaking will not bear mo-
ment's examination. The right 10 give binding in
struc,ion implies the right to dsavow any act done in
violation Of it, and revoke Immediately the powers Of
the agents dsobeying IT, Bot nobody, SO far as am
get informed, is cxiavagant as to pretend that any
such right exists under our Government The Sena-
tor representative who acts upon his own convictions
and not those Of his constituents foreIts Of his
authority is not lot the less law gvcr, binding the
whole country by his acts, TO the utmost extent OF the
jurisdiction Of The Government. II is wild conceit TO
imagine, as have it asserted somewhere, iha' the
State legislature has right to control the conduct,
though II has nothing 10 do with the eonse'ences Of It's
representatives here This is dirorce in the spi
iii Of The other which it is intended to advance but
much more inconsistent with all ideas Of good govern
ment and social order II would be nothing short Of
fundamental revolution in our Institutions ltwonid be
making Us a mere league Of 1orsign nations, and turn.
ing this Congress Of lawgvers into Congress Of am.
bassadors In short, doctrine (snprosng i abused,
as it W II always bel is utterly lccntous aud sub
versve in all It's bearings and tendencics-and what may
first strike YOU there was one. al the same
time better calculated the long run lay the power
ofhs body the legislature OF the country, aud all the
precious principles Of Government Of laws at the
foo, Of the Executive aud disciplined corps Of mana
gers under its influence ! shall not stop to deyeope
this important branch Of the subject, which have
had occasion 10 mediate much; but give il to you as
my deliberate conviction that the balance Of the cons
tuition is subvered that through the external influences
constantly brought 10 bear upon 1t, the federal lcgs