The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-01

isiaction that the vetsran editor Of the Rich
mond Enquirer has not forgotten doctrine
50 important, and indeed in this Republic 50
distinguishing and Distinguished We only
regret that he should have pursued course
so directly calculated to suppress, on thepre-
sent occasion, the exercise OF the right Ia the
Virginia Legislature. For our part, we are
for instructions, let them reach whonIsoeyer
they may. Let them come from every State,
and let the voice Of the people be heard from
every county and hamlet in this nation. and
Jet i be Obeyed, implicitly obeyed, by every
representative whose duty il is TO pursue the
interests and reflect the viii Of his constitu-
ents. Shall we permit our liberties to be
overturned By our neglect Of the plainest du-
ties Z Shall we suffer all political power to
be concentrated in the hands of the federal
government, and quietly behold an absolute
despotism arise upon the ruins of the sove-
reign Statesi Then let US be yigilant in our
conduct, and faithful 10 the principles upon
which this last experiment Of self government
absolutely reposes.
The Richmond Enquirer has the follow
ing to which we will only add, that il might
also have included Mr.. Allen, Of Ohio, and
Mr.. Wright, Of New York.
The Sub-Treasury bill ought not, in our poor
opinion, TO pass even the Senate. II carries obec
tons upon the very face of it, TO which reflection
can reconcile usbut we cannot see how il can pass
How can the respected Judge Trotter vote for il,
after having declared scarcely one month ago. that
In the present posture of the banks and theaciual
condition of our currency can see no objection to
the plan of the President, il the contingency shall
ever arise upon which the public revenue may be
safely deposited with the banks, he deposite should
By opinion be made special one, not subject 10 be
used as che basis Of banking By The Institutions en-
ploged."
How can Messrs Wall and Morris vote for it, in
the very face of the declaratoTy resolutions of New
Jersey and Ohio? True, they are not in The formal
shape Of Instructions but they are virtually, TO all
intens and purposes the instructions other respec
tive Legislatures We cannot paier with this great
and vital principle of Republc--and still more of
a Federal Repsbtic.-We must not split hairs. Ask
either of our Senator'S or BOTH how they would have
dealt with MIR. Harrisons Resolutions, if they had
passed our General Assembly, and zoe abide by their
decision. Would either OF them have treated Them
other than the Instructions Of their Legislature
True again, that the resolutions of Ohio and New
Jersey have been passed by a majority of Wing Lee
gislalures; but Mr. Grundy has bowed without ques-
lion to the Instructions Of Tennessee; and Mr.
Buchanan, with that devotion 10 the Republican
principle and that clearnesS of intellect which al
ways distinguishes him. has set thatobection at rest
"Do they not perceive (says he) that If the Senator
look behind his instructions, the right is at once
abandonedl Under the pretext or il yon please,
der The honest belief that they do not speak the voice
of the people, or that they have been corruptly or
improperly maintained, Senator could always JUS
lily himself TO himself for disobedience"
We speak upon this point, and indeed this whole
subject with great Difference 10 the opinions Of gen.
tlemen, who 1--WE believe as honest as ourselves
for whose principles we have great respect and for
whom we feel the deepest attachment. If there be
one man in Virginia whose feelings would carry
him further in the support Of Mr.. Van Buren, and
his administration than ourselves, we know not that
man. We try to disabuse our mind of all pride of
opinion. We follow the lead of man. however
distinguished upon it. We are not conscious of
single motive, which is calculated to swerye our
judgment We go against the measure, under the
force of considerations which we cannot subdue.-
We believe, that such measure, and at such time
especially, would prove injurious TO the country as
well as to the Administration itself.