Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-29
POLITICAL.

notice the late notification message Of Gov. Penning
ton, and the indignation resolves thereupon, whch
not only transmitted to the several States out 10
the "Hon. r. M. T. HUNTER, member Of congress
from Yrciaia evidently for the purpose Of insulting
at once both the Speaker and the House which ne
presdes As hurricane Of hard epthets was intend
ed to be cited against the alleged Acknowledgement ci
the State of New jersey is but justice TO recur to
the facts order to show upon whom the responsible
lily of deprvng that State of its due representa-
ton in the popular branch Of the General Government
The election took place about year half since
The prominent facts generally understood our
ing the whole of the last session OF Congress as they
have been at any time during the present-as can now
be, before the evidence is published. More than year
since, in view of these facts, and for the purpose OF
meeting this identical case, Mr. John g. Adams INTRO
duced resolution importing that whenever difficulty
should the persons entitled TO seats in the
House. neither party should be permitted to assume the
seats until the conflicting claims be settled by the House
upon the report of committee. This resolution,
amidst the pressure of the business which crowded
INTO the close of the session, was not acted on by the
House.
In addition this important Indication of the real
opinions of of The most strenuous uphoders of the
broad seal candidates. Mr. WISE At the commencement
of the present session, offered resolution which, he
stated had been prepared by his colleague, Mr. Bolts,
requiring that the credentials of both sets of claimants
should be referred to committee and reported upon
before either be permitted to take seats in the House
This resolution afterwards withdrawn, doubtless
Wing party TO force the broad seal men upon the House
We can offer other explanation of the sudden change
which took place the minds OF Messrs Adams wise,
and Bolts which the latter exhibited tor the first time,
after he had been placed upon the Committee OF Elec-
tons and specially charged with the investigation o!
this case. Among the fruits of this concert was the
exhibition before the country OF that dsgracei spec
tacle of stopping by obstreperous camor every at
tempt explanation the part OF the individuals ad
United by both parties have received undoubted
ifv of he Ssll wer
mtted to consume day after day in speeches TO the
House.
Unless Mr.. Adams Mr.. Wise and Mr.. Bolts, were
equally conscious in their own minds that the broad
scul of New Jersey was employed by Governor Pen
n!ngon to sanction gross fraud upon the rights of the
majority, why did they each originally propose that
the right Of sitting in the House should be referred to
committee: It's priinn tocic evidence was as concu-
siye when they scvcraliy moved resolutions which de-
stroyed It's pretended sanction at any time since
Their new light upon the constitutional right of Go
Pennington to choose members OF Congress by
the broaa seal appears to have been wholly an after
thought Upon the facts originally recognized rs
their resolutions no doubt can be entertained but the
candidates who shown and admitted to have re-
ceycd majority Of the votes poled, were prtma tact
entitled TO seats in the House.
The undisputed proof of the actual returns was be-
fore the House equally with the broad seal certificates
Substantial Justice would have been done had the
House at once voted that Messrs Dickersor, Froom,
Ryall, Kile, and Cooper, were prmd face entitled to
the seats it having been not only proved the, had the
absolute majority of votes, but the fact distinctly
admitted by Mr.. Randolph in answer to direct inter
rogaory upon that point, put to HIM by Mr. wander.
pocl. Had this been pursued the suPersruc-
tnre Of Gov. Pennngtons message wonid have been
annh;lated. The members chosen by majority OF
the people of New Jersey Justly entitled to assist
IN the organization of the House, and to keep their
until il should he shown to the satisfaction OF the
House that this maj ry an illegal one Whether
this would have been more agreeable to Gov
tlant no victim .a "a "
planned in his official dcnunciation
But the House deemed it most suitable under all the
circumstances probably in view OF the possible results
which the precedent might hereafter involve, to pur-
sue different course. The organization effected
without filing the contested seats from New jersey
The House expressly refused recognise the Prima ta-
re right Of either set Of claimants. Unlike Mcssrs
Adams, Wise, and Botts have entertained but one
opinion on this question from the beginnng-that the
members proved and admitted to have received ma
nrity OF the votes fully entitled to their seats,
III the first instance any individuals IN the House
But the majority of the indisputed members thought
otherwise The question has, therefore, been settled
b. the only competent authority and all the papers
have been referred TO the Committee of Elections for
Investigation and report.
In addition to the quotations from the speech Of the
chairman of that committee which gave in our re-
marks Friday, 1t but just to refer 10 the eXplana
ton of the duties imposed the committee by the
House, which may be found expressed in the speech
with great force and clcarness. The chairman alleges
that the committee, by the refusal OF the House TO de-
tcrmne npon the pra facie proof Of before
and b. the of the reference required 10 exa
mine the papers sent by the House before making re-
port and that the act OF looking into evidence, mpeach
ing tic legality Of votes thus referred by the House,
necessarily involves investigation Of the ballot boxes
AS 70 the delay he ntmaes that whether the circum-
stances of the such to authorize all extern
sion of time for the procurement of other testimony,
question TO he decided by the committee accord
ing to their judgment.
ohal1 th,tth pfcffb o
Privy Counci-thc chest civil capacity in the State,
except that of Governor-who appears, by the news
papers, have admitted himself to be alien, by TAX
ing to complete his naturalization, may readily
point ont those of his brother aliens who have, Ike
Lin abused the protection afforded by the institutions
of the State, by assuming privileges and performing
acts calculated TO bring Disgrace our Republican
Government. How far th# abuse may have been ar.
grava;edh by subsequent proceedings remains to be
But appeal with confidence 10 every native citizen
10 determine whether the State of New Jersey should
be regarded like rotten borough in Ensandthe right
Of membership for which, certified by the evidence of
its broad SEAL may be bought and sold in the market!
ALL THE TALENTS.
ssIike master, like man, a saying, tre but true
If Harrison be the head of Whiggery, of what mate
rails must the body and tail be composed Here
party which, from the beginning has arrogated to itself
'.all the talents rallying with affected enthusiasm
around man. the bare idea of seeing whom at the head
of this great people is revolving to national pride We
intend dsparagement to the personal character OF
this smallest specimen of the copious litter of Wing
heroes but when we see concerted attempt drsgoon
the country into the support of such candidate, our
duty TO the people and to ourselves constra'ns US to
speak the truth in plain language. The degradation OF
Whggery is complete. 1t has lost all pride, all self
respect. 1t is henceforward object for conemptn.
pity. The party Of Hamilton, of Ames, and OF
Bayard has stopped to worship at the shrine Of Harri
SON. Better defeat than disgrace though here both are
inevitable Though still dscomftted, Federalism has
hitherto Ind the consolation ofcombatng under leaders
of whom it could be proud. But now even this conso
laton gone, and its only light is dim reflection from
the past.
Nothing is more CALLING than the idea of having sa
crifccd principle and character without success 1t
adds tensod sting to disappointment. 1t takes away
all the dignity of misfortune 1t is this consciousness
of selfdegradaon which renders the present faction
so desperate. Having lost all character 1t has parted
18th every scruple and become utterly regardless of
decency 1t knows that should it fail now, as it must
inevitably it il down toreyer that at least long and