Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-04-02
Eagehela Court Mouse, Sc, April 2, As4o

another. il is that miserable party spr;i.
on lnth sides, which seems disposed to
draw every member inru humble subservi-
ency-lo the dictates ofa fe,v leaders.
There is another sentiment " hich | en-
tertain, and which | will here avow. 1t
is this; that during the last Administration
thete has been two strung executive ac-
tionin this Government; and it is fine
that The Representatives of the people
Shnuld .asserl their independence, aud
tranpe on the lies of party-looking only
10 the good ofthe country, 10 the sancli,y
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 l may see this House
redeemed and regenerated-lhal may see
it break lU0se from It's subServiency 10 thai
munster god Of party. which is reared up
OH every side, and which claim. from its
victims base deuoted, and Llind idotuiry.
Sir. | have proImsed resolution wIirh
| believe will meet the truth of The case.
| bplievg that we are The exclusive Judges
Of rhe whole snhjpcI-nlaIier, made 80 by
The Constitution itself, in language too
plain tu br misunderstood. The time anil
manner of deciding is mere matter of ex-
pediency. maintain. also. rha, there can
he no. concurrent Jurisdiction upon this
question by amy State authority; and in
maintaining this, | maintain the indepen-
,lence Of This House, which I believe 10 he
essential tolhe preservation of American
liberty.
Tie propositions, then, which I desire
TO be decided, are first; that this House is
is the supreme and sole Judge Of The cleo,
lions, returns, and qualifications of its
members. And secomlIy, that no State
officer has right 10 judge of the legality
of voies, after they have been received !;
and that those who have received ma
Jorily of The votes polic,i are, hv right, en-
titled 10 the returns. Upan that R3hci-
Pile, | voted yesterday in The case 6f The
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.. Nay
lor. II is precisely The case AT issue.
There you have different returns, one
member is admitted 10 have majority,
but another gentleman assumes that lhev
are illegal vo'es. and the judges assume to
themselves the riehi 10 throw our the
wh,Ss Northern Liherlles. | mainlain
that ~ had no such right under the
Constitution. Their acts were void. and.
the m,irr6rInllsl he len To This tribunal on
.ly. II is this which shall govern my vote.
When c"nle rs judge tn decide on the
merits of the election. then it may he diff
icrput as to final judgment. Ii will de-
pend upon the fact, whether enough from
those " ho received the majority of votes,
shall be- proved 10 he illegal, tn violate the
elecriun. All votes deposited anil received
by The proper officers INFO The hallor box,
must he presumed To he legal. until other
wise shown. This il sound sense as well
AS law. Upon these questions, assert
the power Of the House TO judge fully.
but deny the authority of the officers of
The Stale Of PENNSYLVANIA, under the laws,
to reject votes, after those votes have been
deposit"d in The balIor box.
Standing upon this principle, | am rea-
dy 10 give my vote in the New Jrrsy case.
anu am disp0Seu al once 10 meeI iht
question, (which may be as we'll decided
now, as a month hencc,l who are entitled
tn the returns. As far as ulIcrior objects
are concerned, know the supposed deli
cacy of my position al present but ,corn
10 suppress my sentiments.
| would NOT wear The proudesf diadem
that ever sliIlcred upon Inonar"h's brow,
il could not wear it uishackled and free.
j would NOT turn III the right or left. for po-
liiical favor. hold Eo sentiments in my
close, which I will not avow to tile world
] my "pinion. il is due 10 The dignity Of
The House tO meet this question calmly
and decidedly. am ready to vo'e. IT
ynu lei The whole subject matter 20 10 a
committee, you will involve us in ques-
lious which will Lo he decided this ses-
sion. fyou choose to cnn6ne them tn the
question of returns, yuu can do so, aud we
can have prompt action; hun any other
nher course will lead to confusion and
delay.