The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-19

Wecopy the following forcibIc view Of the
question which obstructed 30 long the organi-
zalion Of the House Of Representatives, from
the Norfolk (ya.) Herald:
The attempt now making 81 Washington 10 prevent
the organization Of the Naioos Legislature, raughi
With such msehsyous consequence a. 70 call forth the
general reprobalion OF the n
terry subysrsvs Of good order and ell established rules
subject Of such vital imponsnce. Il will not,
persuaded, BE- centended by impartial mind that
this attempt would have been made thought Of.
but for the nice balance Of The parties in the house. and
the importance consequently attached the election Of
its presiding officer This consideration Of ITSELF fur
nshes the strongest presumption against the claim Get
up by those, who would this stage Of the business,
reject the certificate Of election authenticated 10 the
mode. which The State itself has adopted 10 make its
choice OF Representatives kaown Let 10. then, M.
que whether the arguments used 10 sustain this novel
claim. such 81 all to weaken the presumption. 10
establish rule which promises greater security to the
rights Of the States So long the power 10 abuse
insepsrable incident Of lis possession, rule
which the ingenuity Of man can devise, can secure
those who delegate power from the possibility Of mis-
rule II cannot avail them therefore. who for dis
csrdng long established presidents in this case show
that may arise (and that the under consider
alton is IN poin,,) in which the wishes Of State
may be dsregarded and i,s confidence abused unless
they can the tme make appear that the rule
they propose less cxceplonsbls and promises give
satisfaction 10 the States, than the form they have
seen fit to prescribe TO authenticate their elections
The lime, place and Of making their elections,
has been left their sole discretion and the suthentca-
ton Of their acis in these particulars have been pre-
scribcd by them and committed the hands Of agents
Immediately responsible them, for the use and abuse
OF the power with which they have been invested Bet
security cannot be desired OF stsined so long rs
power must. Of necessity. be committed fab!c man,
liable not only to errors Judgment but 10 temptation,
wilfuy. TO abuse delegated authority That il is free
from all objection is pretended. but that any better
mode Of asceranng the will Of this people, for whose
benefit il is attempted to sbrogate their laws. upon
the subject Of election returns most confidently de-
MED
By the long established practice of Congress. certi-
fcates Of election duly authenticated BY the authority,
which the laws Of the State assign this duty have
been taken the only evidence Of election, which an
unorganized house receive, They all meet upon
footing Of entire equality aud authority ques
lion the election Of another bearing such credentials
the laws Of his State prescribe. As as aban-
don this plain and Ineligible land mark, perfect
OF confusion must necessarily ensue and instead oil
submitting the rights Of the States the deliberate
ton Of organized tribunal appointed by the Consti
tuition, 70 decide upon the qualifications Of members
elected Congress, remit them TO the decision of
tumutuous assembly having neither the time, power
capacity 10 determine matter OF such vital importance
aud dignity And Il should be borne in mind that
the circumstances under which this novel assumption
the part Of the members elected to Congress. has
been made. furnishes the strongest presumption against
their attempted nsurpation and the convincing
evidence Of their unfness for The Office they wish to
through the agency Of irresponsible Clerk,
and defiance Of the laws Of the States placing the
same in the hands Of their own responsible agents
A FRIEND TO STATE RieHTs.