Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-04-02

another, il is that miserable party sprl.
OH hath sides, which seems disposed to
| draw every member inru humble subservi-
ency,o the dictates ofa feO leaders.
There is another sentiment hich I ell
tertain, and which will here avow. 1t
is this; that during the last Administration
there has been two strung executive ac-
tiouin this Government; and it is fftne
that The Representatives 0f the people
! Shnuld assert their independence, aud
trample on the lies of party-looking only
10 the good Of the country, 10 the sanclity
oflhe Constitution, and To the preservation
of their own honor and independence. II
there he one object more dear 10 me than
another, il is, that may see this House
redeemed and egenrrated-lhal may see
it break loose from lis subServiency to thai
monster god Of party, " whicl, is reared up
on every side, aud which claims from its
victims base deuoted, and Llind idoLuirq.
Sir. have proposed resolution Which
believe will meet the truth of the case.
believe that we are The exclusive Judges
Of rlle whole snhjrci-nlalier, made 80 by
The Constitution itself, in language too
plain tu br misunderstood. The time ani
manner of deciding is mere matter Of ex-
pedienry. maintain. also, tha, there can
he no, concurrent jurisdiction upon This
question by amy Stat. authority; and in
maintaining this, maintain the ihdcpen-
,lence Of This House, which believe to he
essential to The preservation Of American
liberty.
The propositions, then, which I desire
TO he decided, are first; that this House is
is the supreme and sole Judge ofthe cleo,
lions, returns, and qualifications of its
members. And secomlly, that no State
officer has right To judge of the legality
Of vores, after they have been received {;
and that those who have received ma
Jorily of The votes policd are, hv right, ell
titled 10 the returns. Uppa that R5ori-
pie, voted yesterday in The case ~ The
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Nay
lnr. II is precisely The case al issue.
There you have different returns, one
member is admitted 10 have majority,
but another gentleman assumes that they
are illegal voIcs. and the judges assume to
themselves the richl to throw our the
whole Northern Liherlies. mniulain
that - had no such right under the
Constitution. Their acts were Void. aud
the mittGr1hlisrbe len to 'Iiii tribunal on
ly. l, is this which shall govern my vote.
When come as judge 10 decide on the
merits of the election. then it may he diff.
feren, as to final Judgment. 1t will de-
pend upon the fact, whether enough from
those ho received the majority of votes,
shall BE- proved TO he illegal, tn violate the
elecrion. All votes deposited and received
by the proper officers into the halor box,
must I've presumed To he legal, until other
wise shown. This in sound sense as we'll
AS law. Upon these questions, assert
the power Of the House to judge fully.
but | deny The authority Of the Office of
the Stale of Pennsylvania. under the laws,
to reject votes, after those votes have been
deposited in the ballot box.
Standing upon this principle, I AIN rea-
dy TO give my vote in The New Jrrsy case.
and am disposed al once TO meet rhr
question, (Which may be ns we'll decided
HOW, as a month henrc,) who are entitled
to the returns. As far as ulIerior objects
are concerned, know the supposed deli
cacy of my postum at present. hut ,corn
10 suppress my sentiments.
would moi wear the proudest diadem
that ever slillered upon a monar'h's brow,
il cnuld nuI wear it ullsliacked and free.
lwnnld NOT turn tn the right or left. for po-
liiical favor. hold co sentiments in my
closet which will not avow to tile world
] my opinion. il is due 10 the dignity Of
The House To meet this question calmly
and decidedly. am ready TO ro'e. If
ynu lei The whole subject matter 70 10 a
committee, you will involve us in qucs
tious which will Lul he decided this ses-
sion. If vnu choose TO cun6ne them la the
question of returns, yun can do so. aud we
eau have prompr action; hui any other
u'her course will lead 10 confusion and
delay.