Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-11-25

Lsrpd Outrage - = |
action on the rights Of the States at
o;ration Of the House Of Representa-
,be last session of Congress.
.,y that act as striking deadly blow
AL existence of the republican princi-
',,sis Government. Not State Legis-
"a ,be Union, it is to be presumed, will
procedure of such glariug usdrpation
!. !. By unrebuked'
:, ,be issue Of this great struggle
Jersey has a deep interest. Her
-. have a common destiny with
..t Of the Union but while they
n common burdens, they intend
"a share in common privileges.
,Ir attached to the form of Govern
under which it has pleased a be-
ant Providence to cast their lot,
4. will be the last to withhold due
,once to it, so long as they are per-
redlo enjoy those equal rights which !
Drooer self-respect demands. Re-
occurrences have, indeed, ava
Ia 4 feeling in the breasts Of the !
n body ofthe People Of this State,
I'm a sense of wrong, deep wrong,
F;rted without an apology, must al
;rspire. The present House of
.:,,esentatives of the United States
denied to New Jersey a right which
/. never before been denied to any
.nber of the Union, and which, un-
!, be Constitution, could never have
|sso denied to her: the right of com
I,..ioning, according TO her own laws,
bombers to represent her in lhat body.
H. right is vital to the very existence
N the Federal Government, and if its
sercise be denied to any one Of the
a.les, no Congress can be constitu-
srany organized. The attempt to
.pnuate the enormity ofthis measure,
charging the State authorities with
OIation of their trust, is an unwor-
subterfuge. What has Congress
Do with your State officers Are
the people competent to pass udg-
b on their own acts without the in
krence of strangers who have no
,rd to her laws and institutions? II
be any question on that subject,
be settled between those officers
their constituents. Ii is sufficient
Command the respect Of Congress in
first instance, that the commissions
sented are genuine, and in form a.
liable to the laws of the State. That
proceeding was a violation of all
hcipIc and usage, cannot be made
ne manifest than by the fact that il
me- first instance Of the kind TO be
tnd in the parliamentary history OF
country or the world. During the
ee weeks in which this question was
Mated, no precedent, either in the re-
|ords Of this or any other country,
ould be furnished to justify it. l shall
D again enter upon a defence of the
rrse pursued in granting the COM
ssion5. That proceeding has been
n explained on former occasion,
Bit has twice received the sanction
the People Of tie State. Further &c
sruss it would be an Insult to that ex.
ession of public opinion from which
Pre- is no appeal. But l go beyond
point. Whatever differences o
nion might exist in reality, or b.
ged lorparty purposes on that ques
m Congress cannot, within the lie
innate exercise of its authority, Q,
bind the seal Of the State. The
strecognise that, or there can be n
burn of members from the State at all
ner that is recognised, and the mem
BIS take their seats, then, for the frs
ne, the subject is under the contro
ID direction Of the House. 1t ha
n0rmIy been so held in the Hous
representatives heretofore, and
post and will be so held hereafter.
The New Jersey case will, in a
T-limes, be considered an invasio
the rights Of one of the Sovereig
aas Of the Union, for the purpose
curing the power of a party. FoI
niely for the country, it has had III
lact TO open the eyes of the PeopI
he actual condition of their Gov
nnent and Taught them the danger
'nidng their interests to men wh
lye lived too long in the sunshine {
-Hecutiye patronage. The'sabsequer
caoa Of Congress in placing indiviC
pals, wIthoet warrant, and before il
esugauon, in the. seats, and that tc
hIe ihecOmmissioned members wei
lsent under the authority Of the cor
iee, taking testimony to substantia
el claims, and the final decision
" House by strict party vote, wit
Nhearlng, or even so much as loo
alihe evidence, presents a scene
aenco and wrong wholly witho
''edent or apology. If the tres
eoi which New jersey has suffer,
been received at the hands of
sIsn Power, war must have been t
''able consequence. But she h
ZEN wounded in the ehouse Of h
eads'-and a resort to force mi
,'e involved not only foes but frienc
has looked to peaceful remedi'
umade her anDpal tn tie iustice a