Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1838-03-17

fsttS vi AitN ~ NtN 4utNN5>c p
pi contested election. II viii be see that Mr. Ctslle
susiaias the propney Of the course of the House IN
referring the election hack to the people, and adj
minister, severe rcproof 10 Mr. PreEtlss and as
vindietive journals IN this State who have been de-
bouncing the decision OF the House as an unwar-
rantahle piece OF tyranny. We understand, by he
way, that the dinner given in honor Of Prenuss and
Word in Washington, was got mp chiefly by Mr.
Clay for effect in the coming election. Mr. Woe
had 600 much sag5clty to expect 10 derive benefit
by an alliance with the abolition candidate for TIC
Presidency. But Prcutiss attaches 50 much weight
10 the influence Of Mr. Gays name in Mississippi
that lie delayed his journey for the dinner We
suppose that this dinner settles the question. Mr.
/ Clay toasted Prentss, aud says tia, the peoIe
shall send him back to Washington; that NO sud-
obstinate democrats as Claiborne ana GhoiSon shat
come to Coustgss, Il he oao help it. Voters Of MIS-
sssippi We suppose yon viii have to obey. 1t wit
not do to hurt the feelings Of Henry Clay by voting
fer Claiborne ami Ghoson. Clay don't want genu-
ise Southern men about him in these critical times
MISSISSIPPI ELECTION.
"The party papers are filed with structures on
the conduct OF the House in reference to the con
tested election from Mississippi. Some Of these are
yindietye enough, We felt no particular interest
in the result on party grounds and reiraned from
taking any part in the matter during the contest
Il Is now decided aud since the most violent efforts
are being made Il torturd The decision INTO an act OF
gross and wanton abuse and usiGpasH'n. It may not
be out Of place 70 give what is the result 81 wv
own reflections. Il is not necessary TO recaptuaic
the facts involved in the case as it IS presumed that
the reader is already acquainted with them. We
will only advert To the considerations which seemed
to have influenced the house ia It's decision, in order
that the public may Judge whether that body acted
correctly or incorrectly
| When the house determined at the extra session,
| that Claiborne aud Ghoson were members of the
25th congress, what effect had that decision on the
house itself end on the people of Mississippi The
effect on the House was to ill two seats, otherwise
! vacant and to introduce on tae no0r, Two counsel
ers, who from that time mingled in its debates, aud
voted on the subjects brought before 1t. FMS was
the fact and the right under the decision. II these
gentlemen were not de tlcto at 1T jure members Of
the 25h congress under the decision Of the House
and they were net so up to the time when the de-
csion reversed, the acts Of Congress, passed by
their votes are null and VOID and ought 10 b. erased
from the journals. The decision of the house, how
| ever, being constitutional tribunal in The last re-
sort, was valId-was OF the efficacy Of law until re-
yersed, whether the decision was erroneous or not
Its Judgment was not rod, but only rotdable and
until reversed il wae To all intent aud purpose, au
| thorlativc.
Now, il this view be correct the effect Of the lie
cislon on The People of Mississippi, and the 4ubse
Qnent election in November will be Obvious. BY On
decision in September, obtained at the instance 0
the state, appearing in the person Of lts then repre-
sentatycs--( none concsngD the people Of MlsSg
sppi were admitted on tic ilaof Of the house, ans
| sat down With the Conedcrates IN council was no
this decision binding on thea untl it was reversed
As much so, it seems 10 as, as If it were part o
ther own constitution. they could not be entitled
to double Representations The seats being filed
there was NJ vacancy Until after the reversal Of thf
decision,
But, II may be answered. the decision was wron.
originally. BE it 50. That would only show chat
ought to be revcrsed--not that il was void. Tht
Judgment Of court Of law is often etonoous--ba
still it is final and authoritative until reversed by
tribunal of competent jurisdiction The decision
VS. in favor Of The people Of Mississippi, who other
vic, would not have been represented at the oxtrj
session. We were inclined to think, at the time
hatit was crroneous but i so, it certainly was il
flavor otthe peope ofthc state, who, through bessrs
Claiborne and Ghoison, demanded Abundance o.
the floor and were admitted
As 10 the second decision, reversing the first, an
sending the election back 10 the people. II ~ sau
tins Is erroneous 100, and yctcqualy with the other
so far from operating against II fag0fs the rights Q
The people Of the state 1t is fact which NIL parte
Admit, however they may differ in its application
that wherever the house, from any cause whatever
has reason to doubt the Fairness @, an eiecon It may
| and ought to gcnd II back. Now, was the cectI0
in November far election' In consequence Of ia
decision Of the house in September, right or wrong
| a., Jt4clt in A1yrtub
The result was, that the canvass was all on one si5e
Even fevery vote in the state had been gwen TO
the contesting members could be said to have bee
a fair eIeclion' Under the powerful appeals Of tn
Candidates at the polls where the decision Of u
house was denounced rs unconstitutional, and gtoe
outrage on the popular rights; with 70 one to ans
wer, explain or Defend It j. very natural that III
vote should be on one eide. Still there was not
majority given 70 the contestng members, Of Ii
whole number Of votes poied; fact which show
the ndeclson of the electoral body and when Il
considered that the house itself by It's decision
September had been Instrumental IN producing tn
state OF thiugs-had caused the sitting members
decline contest, and TINS neuralzed or rather pa
allied the exerllons Of their friends, was it not dt
10 the house, 10 the sitting members and 70 tie pe
ple Of Mississippi Themselves 70 send back The ele
lion, that their will might be fully and fairly asce
tanned It seemed 50 to us. We may be wrong
Z but we trust we are impartial. Our friends dliicrs
d amongst themselves, and 70 far az they were co
4 cerned, it was not party question. Who wishes
n make il SO
d The whole number Of insurance Companies
:, Boston il thirty; aggregate capital near seven 81
I a half millions, Of which nearly t.ottrts IL IN Bal
investments The other Insurance Companies
. the State are nineteen, with about two millions ca
ital.
A merchant having sustained considorah
loss, desired his son not 10 mention il 70 any bod
The youth promised silence, bat at the Same tIf
n requested to know N+.at advantage could attend
Q If you divuge this loss" said the father, -
y shall have two evils to support, instead Of one
e -. ... or,nc .nd lhn -, of ntrr MOI rhhora y