Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-02-25

1u .oy congress (wtlcn mas very dIfier-
sAt power over them from officers acting
under the positive directions Of the statute
ofthe Staio) is question for the House
to settle. There is still another and more
important question remaining, growing
out Of frauds alleged 10 have been com.
mitied, notify mistake or oversight, but
BY systematic course TO allow aliens not
naturqized, the privilege Of voting. As to
QUO ofthe disputed townships, we are net
left to conjecture on this point, for yo1
will remember that the fact was clearly l
ascertsined by an open examination before |
the Legislature last year. ! pretend not
TO know, aud. if did, should think myself
not wa ;ranted in expressing any opinion |
as to which Of the two parties claiming the |
election will appear, on full and final
examination, entitled TO the seats, and have |
no other desire than that justice should be |
done. But all this has no just bearing on
the case before US. Itconstitutes no ground |
Of Justification for that violent ex parte
proceeding by which the case was preiudg.
ed, and the State left with but a single Rep
reseniative onthe floor of Congress.
What we're the prctexts Of this act
The claimantsp Produce a certificate from
the Secretary of,State of certain estimates
and returns, by which it would. appear
that If the returns from two townships in
the state, which were rejected returns
and never forwarded to the Governor, had
been counted, there would be.a majority of
votes for the claimants. This certificate
possesses no authority whatever. Il does
not relate TO any paper or record belong
ing to the Office Of Secretary of State, and
was issued without the authority of law.
II might as well have certified a private
letter or column of newspaper. In the
absence ofa more convenient place of de-
posite, II has been customary for the Gov
ernor to lodge Executive papers in the
Secretary's Office for safe keeping, and
that was folio Ted in the present, instance.
But they form no part of the files or re-
cords Of his Office
Isit alleged that any law Of the State
was violated in the manner of awarding
the certificates There is your statute
book, and by It the Governor and Council
are directed to make up the result from
the clerks. returns, and from them alone,
and the commissions were awarded, after
a careful estimate OF. the returns from all
the. clerks in the State. Without viola
ton of the law and of my official oath,
W i,hout passing by the advice ofthe Coun-
c Il, and disregarding the unvarying piac
tice under the law fromsits enactment, no
other course could have been adopted.
| / take. my stand by the side of the law OF
the land, and amid the storms of party,
seek no other security than an approving
j conscience and a firm conviction of hav.
ing faithfully discharged my duty. But
| have the further satisfaction to know
that my judgement has been confirmed by
YOU, gentlemen, and by the' People of the
State. But, suppose il be otherwise, do
you hold your Executive responsible for
his acts to the Congress of fhe United
States This would be new doctrine for
an independent State. am alone respon.
sible for my public acts,let me say, to the
Legislature and the people of my own
State, ard deny all right to pass upon
them officially by any other earthly power.
Whether, therefore, the decision in grant
ing the certificates was right or wrong
Congress, at all events, is bound TO receive
the credentials thus furnished, as the man
dates of the State to them that they admit
bcr Representatives to their seats, unit
others can show better title.
/ haze thus presented to you my views
of this case. | find in It no palliatinl
circumstances nothing but most unpro
voked violation Of our rights as a State
and impeachment of our character as
People. What action you may think pro
per to take upon it must be left to you
E judgement and sound discretion. AS til
Immediate representatives of. the people
YOU best know their feelings and thei
I wishes. Ifthere benot deep and settle
Z feeling ofmlury in the minds of the people
i have not properly appreciated their char
! lacter. It's not among the least alarmin
features the case, that the question ha
: always been carried against the rights {
: the people Of New Jersey BY party vote
: / trust, gentlemen, you viii viildicate rh
II abused honor and violated rights of tn
n State in firm and manly tones. That yo
Is will enter your. solemn protest before tn
" country against the usurped power c
q Congress, and call upon them even no.
/ to reconsider and reverse an act whic
+ can only tend to ALLEVIATE the feelings of
y State among the most devoted to the III
n ion. would now, and forever, deny til
!, power of Congress to bind this State b
y her acts, while she denies us Tepreser
= tation in that body.
: There will be but one feeling with yol
4 sister States. They cannot but see
: this act towards New Jersey what may |
= ttbeir own fate whenever, for party purp,
= fses, the like action towards them sha
= seem expedient. They should be Gale
of on to declare their opinions on the powe
= now for the first time asserted on the flo,
: of Congress. While am satis6edt ha
! consulting the wounded feelings of Il
People, you cannot fcprobatein too siror
! terms the whole Of this proceeding as III
n constitutional, illegal, and void, | wou
is still desire that you may be led into
be violent or 7indscreet action. The Peop
* ofNew Jersey are friends to their counts
- and viii abide by her fortunes for veal
"a for wo. / would see you take couns
he from your patriotism as well as from 20
he feelings, Knowing that It is always mo
ho noble to. suffer wrong than to do wron
evi and iD the hope that The day will yet cor
4, when our public councils win be guild
\ BY men who will regard the Constitute