Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-08-07

II
poFtunltv of running our eye over pam.
phlet Of some forty pages, thetitle ofwhich
| is IA letter from the Hon. HughS S. lie.
eare. on the probable effects of the sub
Treasury policy with the specie clause, to
bis ExcelIency, Pierce Butler, Governor of
South Carolina" This Letter contains
the views which the writer intended to have
taken In debate in the House Of Represen-
tatiyes, had he not been precluded by the
House unexpectedly ordering the previous
question.
This Letter We shall probably be able
to present to. our readers in full at some fu-
ture dav. Without waiting for that time
however, we seize the present opportunity
to express our admiration of its independ-
ant tone and manly character, and Of the
force of its facts and arguments, which
appear to be at once irresistible and ire
futable. Weafe particularly pleased with
the exposition which it offers Of the per-
nicious nature and antlrepublican tenden-
CIV of doctrine, countenanced by too ma
ny men eminent for yirtuous qualities, nd
wise, as well as good, in almost all other
re spccts than this: we refer to the doctrine
ofthe obligation of Representatives, cleo
ted underour written Constitutions, to obey
Instructions. This doctrine, against which
it gives us pleasure to reflect that we have
ever lifted up our voice, is absolutely beat
ento the ground by Mr.. Legare's vigorous
assault upon it.
Though we cannot publish the whole
Letter Just now, as we would wish to be
able to do, nor even that part Of it to which
we have particularly alluded, we will not
refrain from placing before our readers
the subioined extract from it. Speaking
Of the doctrine Of Instructions, Mr.. l..
says; f4
.No doctrine (supposing it abused, as
it always will be) is more utterly llcentious
and subversive in all its bearings and ten
denotes; and, what may not at first strike
you, there never was one, at the same time
better calculated, in the long run, TO lay
the power of this body, the Legislature of
the country, and all the precious princi-
pies of our Government and laws, at the
foot of the Executive and disciplined
corps of managers under its influence. |
STALL not stop to develope this important
branch of the subject, on which | have had
occasion to mediate much; but give it
to YOU as nv deliberate conviction, that
the balance ofthe Constitution is subverted
that, through the external influences SO
constantly brought to bear upon It, the
Federal Legislature is shorn Of almost all
dignity and authority; that the freedom Of
thought and action essential to the very
idea of a representative assembly, charged
with the conduct of limited Government
is assailed on all sides, and has been seri-
ousIy impaired; andour Republic is be-
ginning to take the shape of an elective
monarchy, tempered in some degree by
two Houses of Parliament, whose OCCASION
al opposition to the VIII of the Executive
is treated as revolt against the People IN
the person of their only true representa-.
tive. / do not speak of this or that Admit
nistration; of what the actual President
is doing, or what the late president has
done. / speak Of a system becoming
more and more established every day;
and Of what all future Presidents will do as
a matter of course, because systems are
too strong for men, and overrule'the best
intentions. speak of what is the inevI.
table consequences of the discipline of par
'ty,' as it is so expressively called here. by
which all freedom Of private judgment,
is sacrificed to the inaagiH Ty will Of the
majority, and public opinion is shaped,
with view to future elections, by afew
leaders debating, no one knows how, to
niultitudes dissenting, dissatisfied, and yet
complying followers-the whole body do
ing what almost every member of lit dis
approves. This is the mystery of great
masses, the arcanuns iaaperii, ola body Po-
lite, which every day ofour future expert,
ence will tend more and more ito reveals
fittings 60 on as they do now. "asm e
-A--1 ff.sas5asfe-
The death of Sumucl L. Knapp, Esq.
Of consumption, in the prime of life, re-
quires more than apassing notice. Few
ofour writers welded aa ADLER pen, all.
ways racy, and charged with. learned lore
In American history, especially that Of
New England, he had but a few equals.
His productions are voluninous, and all
sprightly and full of interest; but as he
wrote too often under the pressure ofpecu-
MARY difficulties, there was haste and neg
ligence in rnnch of what he has left. He
is said to have had a knowledge of the ex-
act sciences. He was classsmate Of
Webster, and studied law at Newbpryport
under the celebrated Chief Justice Parsons
mr. Knapp was distinguished as an Ora
tor as well as a ready writer on all sub
jects. His person. was tall and command
ing, his features striking, and rendered
more 50 BY unusual dark hair and a swar-
thy hue. No man was more arniable or
p9ssessed more generous syEnpathies or
agreeable social qualities. Hcwas extern
sfvely connected with several presses, and
his orations and biographies are alllare.
fnarkable productions in the literature Of
iouf country. IN. z. Star. al
i a ReO Inexperienced. IA steamboat
with this name has been chartered to
catch Bill Jobnson.'iI We hope i viii
mot explode like an the late departments
We have heard of. ~ s..
Wsskh Courier !. Journal
he PhiIadelphia Banks have one ppd
all agreed TO resume specie-p aynnents on
the first of August. We are glad e
-. 81 ii = e - 81 8 & 81 rs