Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-12-15

plishment of any object that that object would be ei
fected in much shorter period of time There was
question before the Senate OF great Importance
so as 10 present any reason tor their huryng on !n
election; and if il important that they should eiec
their Senator as speedily possible, it was only nc
cessary for the committee 10 dispose of the contested
elections This might not be intended; for very act'v
friend on the other side had stated that some OF the cleo
tons would not be settled until March.-Gentemei
no doubt found it not agreeable 10 settle them unit
March, then if they wanted the business speedily ant
properly disposed of the postponement OF this election
was the very way to effect that object Let the com
mtee go to work in good earnest; let them meet direct
" after breakfast and take every proper means to &C
compsh their duties and then great length OF time
would elapse before the contested elections woult
be decided. He had shown that the decision on thu
contested elections vary the result OF the cleo
ton The gentleman over the way (Mr. Cocke) hat
stated that If such likely TO be the result he shout
give his vote in favor of the proposition; he trusted
therefore that he might claim the vote of that gentle
Mr. Cooke said that the Senator from Culpepe
seemed TO think that from his own declarations III
was bound to go in favor of the postponement of thi
question Now, what he had stated was, that II III
could be convinced that the decision the contested
elections would vary the relative strength of parties
then he would not consent to go into the election
He stated that if he satisfied, and not If the gen
tleman from Culpeper satis6ed-that altered the
question materially. The gentleman from Culpepel
of him (Mr. Cocke)
Mr. SMITH was sorry, if he had in any way misunder
stood the statements of the gentleman. Did no: that
gentleman believe however, that the relative strength
of parties might he altered by the right of instruction.
and what did he find TO be the position Of parties this
particular he found from the papers list OF
twelve counties represented by Wings, in favor
of the Administration and only FIVE or six against
Might this fact justify the gentleman in voting for
the posponement when the relative position OF the par
IA H.. al. l.-z- Is -
their constituents?
Mr. Cooke would remark that he and his friend read
different papers, and the papers which he read gave
very different statement Of affairs to the one just quo
ted He did feel disposed 10 rely upon the figures
and statements drawn from the newspapers on the other
side They had had some extraordinary instances of
their accuracy short time before the Presidential cleo
ton came on The Presidential and Spring Elections
were totally different in every respect The questions at
different, and the constituencies differ
ent and he were representing district which, in the
spring went Wing, and in the Autumn Adminstra-
on he should not change his of conduct in the
least. He believed that no member of the General As
sembly would consider himself bound By the result of
the Presidential election in his county. They were
there as the representatives of the People authorized
vote under the Constitution Of Virginia-and to that
constituency and to that constituency alone, were
they amenabe. BY the Constitution, non residents
entitled to vote, and were just much members
Of the constituency as any one of the ctizens-and
the representative just much bound 20 obey the
instructions and will of the resident as of the
sident. The distinction attempted to be created, was
IN endeavor 10 change Of the principles of the
Constitution, which could only be changed By the
power which can change.
The question that the words "Monday next" be
struck from the resolution then put and lost the
numbers on division being equal.
The question then came up that the resolution as
sent from the House of Delegates, be agreed to.
Mr. Bo, LDis said that he should vote against the
resolution.
Mr. Lyons said that before the resolution was put, he
had few words 10 offer, which now most properly
appertaned to the subject under discussion, This
proposition to 60 into the election of L. S. Senator
and gentlemen the other side said that it was the true
Democratic principle, that the majority should prevail
upon that upon other occasions and they had had
long argument to show that they had that majority but
taking the Presidential vote could not, he conceived
bind down the action of that House. unless, indeed
it affirmed that by that vote Virginia intended
10 instruct her representatives there and IN the other
House, to set up some new principle; but gen.
tlemen prepared to say that this the case' Did
they not rather think, that they who supported his
friends on the opposite side would hold diferen,
language, and one might say, | in favor of the
election of Mr. Van Buren, and if MIR. Van Buren,
had been elected, then in eecting United States Sc
nator they might surely contend that they should cleo
gentleman entertaining the same political opinions as
the President just chosen by the people, but Mr. Van
Buren, had just been rejected by All immense majority
and why, therefore, send gentleman entertaining
views similar TO the gentleman just rejected by the PEG
pie:
Mr. SMITH rose to order He said that the speech o
the gentleman from the City of Richmond might be
very good speech the election of Senator but no
the question of concurrng with the other House II
fixing the day for that election. The merits of the
Presidential election had nothing TO do with the ques
tion and if the gentleman TO proceed, they must
Of course, discuss the whole matter
MIR. Lyons said that if the Senator from Culpe ne
had INDUCED him for few moments, he would hav,
been satisfied that he did not intend to travel beyont
the subject for discussion He did not intend TO dis
the relative merits Of A. or b. for the situation
Senator but he cndeavoring to show the repesen
tative principle on which they ought to act Gentle
men on the opposite side had urged strongly the rea
sons which might induce members in the other Hous
ofthe Wing party TO vote with them but were ther
no Senators in that House representing districts which
had voted against Mr.. Van Buren, who went with th,
other party. Now, if that party conscentiously hel
the opinion, that the Presidential Election ought Il
guide members votes upon this question: (Which he an,
the party with whom he acted dened,) wha, was thu
course which gentlemen representing such district
should and ought to pursue: MIR. Van Buren, was nov
no longer the President.
MIR. SMITH submitted that the gentleman was out o
order.
The SPEAKER allowed him to proceed restranin.
him from touching upon the Presidential election.
MIR. LYoSs resumed He could not help remarkn.
and ut all times that the will of the majority should pre-
vail, should, when they in confessed minority il
the country, and in their General Assembly by til
vote in that body undertake TO defeat the will of thu
majority, os shown by the representation in that body
The question now before the House was not who shoul
be the party elected 10 fill the office of Senator, bu
the question was on agreeing 10 the resolution fixing
certain day to 80 into such election, and involved lii,
inquiry whether Virginia shall be represented or unre
presented during another session Of Congress-H.
would again appeal to those who were the loudest il
their advocacy Of State Rights to say by their votes
whether the rights of Virginia should be sustained
or whether she still to remain curailed of her fa
proportions and to hobble along upon one leg, wher
her step should be bold, direct and onward Woulc
gentlemen with Democracy upon their lips, acknow
Lodging, in its broadcast sense, the Right Of Instruction
and that the will of the majority ought to prevail
would they prevent by tie vote in the Senate, the
action of majority of the representatives Of the People
by rejecting this resolution: Were gentlemen on tn,
opposite side prepared 10 take this course, and to de
clare virtually that The Commonwealth of vrgn'
should remain unrepresented because the People hat
fit withdraw their Gdence from Mr Y Rpren