The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-01
HIGH HANDED CONDUCT OF THE
VAN buren, FACTION IN GEORGIA.

The factious adherents Of Mr. Van Buren, in
Georgia are making the most desperate exertions
to defeat the clearly expressed wishes Of thepeo-
pie of that State in regard TO the choice Of a
United States Senator. Mr., Lumpkns term
expires on the 4th of March next and il is of the
utmost importance to the nation at large, as well
as to the State of Georgia, that she should have
a full representation in the United States Senate
Immediately on the accession of General Harri-
son to the Presidency. In both branches of her
Legislature there are majori!es decidedly oppo-.
sed TO the men and measures Of the Admnistra-
ton; but owing to sickness, and other causes,
some Of the Harrison members of the State Sc
nate were absent for few days, and the Van
Buren, partiZans in that body found themselves
temporarily in majority. They instantly took
advantage Of this interval of power to attempt
hagrantly TO contravene the known will of the
people A resolution which had been submitted
by the Hon. J. S. Calhoun, of Muscogee, to bring
on the election of United States Senator, came
up for consideration One Of the discounted
Van Buren, faction moved to lay il on the table
for the remainder of the session. The Harrison
Senators demonstrated against this proposition.
They insisted that the Legislature had been
chosen NTH direct reference 10 the election
OF a Senator to Congress-that the Constitution
itself required the seat now occupied by Mr..
Lumpkn to be filled after the expiration of his
term-and that if the motion prevailed the will
Of the majority Of the people would be thwarted
by the arbitrary act of a minority Of the State
Senators
The following extract of letter from the able
editor of the Augusta Sentinel, dated at Miledge-
vile, Tuesday last, gives vivid account ofthe
proceedings in the Senate Chamber, and in the
public meeting of citizens consequent thereon:
In this important crisis, the Harrison Senators were
called upon 10 take decided and important step TO
Senator'S to defeat the expressed will of large mao-
y of the people of Georgia. in the election ofa United
States Senator. That step taken at the sugges-
ton of the Hon. Thomas Fl. Dawson Senator from
Columbia, for which he deserves the highest eulogi-
ums of every friend Of Harrison in the State Il was
step prompted by wish to carry out the will of the
people, expressed at the balio-box and nothing
less than the withdrawal Of every Harrison Senator
/ from the Senate Chamber. And although there was
previous concert the part Of Senator'S the sug-
gestion of the Senator from Columbia was adopted
with great promptitude, and the Senators forthwith
withdrew, leaving the minority without quorum, in
defeat the election Of Senator could proceed to
the transaction of any business. In this dilemma
which !" came upon them like clap of thunder in
clear sky" and for which they evidently unprc-
pared, they made several efforts to proceed to business
but the Chair with dignity and frmness which com
manded the admiration ofevcry patriot refused to per-
NIT them to carry their designs because there was
no quorum present. They, however, finally adopted
resolution requiring the officers of the Senate no
tify the absent Senators to appear in their
| o'clock, P M. And Will, the officers were running
round TO the various boarding houses in the discharge
of this duty, the Senate Chamber was converted into
dining room, and the most udicrous part of the scene
was to witness the orty-on selfsyled Democrats re-
calling themselves with the repast which had been sent
in to them.
Thus the time passed till the hour of o'clock came
and finding that the absentees did not obey their sum
MONS they determined to avail themselves Of that pro
vision OF the constitution which authorizes either
House to adjourn from day to day in the absence of
quorum, and they accordingly ad journed
AT night the friends of Harrison both members of
the Legislature and citizens assembled at Beecher &
Browns Hotel when the following proceedings were
held by which you will perceive that the course adopt
ed yesterday in the pressing emergency will be main
tanned until the absent and sick Senators can appea in
their seats and carry out the will of the people