Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-12-01
LOCO FocoIsM I'M NNgssEE.


The House OF Representatives by the strong vote
Of 30 TO 90 the 10th instant, ads pied resolution
to 20 into the election Of u 8. Senator'S in Conven
ton Of the Two Houses, on Sauutday, S0,h instant
The Loeo'oeos, having a majority OF one in the Sc.
nate, have used their power lar defeat the cleo
ton, and We see by the Nashville papers that the
proposition has been started Ivy some OF them that
the election should be made by the concurrent vote
of the two Houses-thus, i'm effect, defeating
any election 50 long the majority OF the houses
are politically opposed as now.
The Editor OF the Nashville Wing does not be-
lieve that the proposition will DO adopted by ali
the Loco Focos; and thinks, that if formally made
will DO rrjected-eut ncrs, from some limitations
thrown out by some Of the Senator's that they may
resort TO the unconstitutional expedient OF defeating
the wishes OF the people, by pospooing indefinite.
| ly the election. As the Tennessee Legislature is
elected but once in two years, the effect ot the adop
| ton OF such motion would be to leave the Stnie
without representatives IN the u. s. Senate for 2
years.
| Loco Foeosm has been so Unsuccessful hereto.
fore in the adoption Of such violent expedients
that VIC had hoped IL would again resort TO them
The recollection OF the fate Of the l9 rccusani Sena
| torih Electors" who made themselves Tmous hy n
wicked auemp: To oyeiturn the Constitution of Ma
ryland, aud the utter prosration Of their parry in
consequence, ought not SO soon, have lost its snlu
taty ard restraining influence The "ninetcenr
sought To establish their party in power by setting
at defiance the commands OF the Constitution uu-
der which they held their office, and thsir design
vas to destroy, by refusing TO act, the government
which they had been specially elect ed to
How slsnally they failed Is u matter of history
Though they cloikcd their ro1 purpose rnder IN.
speclous and popular plea that tho repre-
provided by the Constitution was uneurI,I and un.
Just, and sought by inhImmitnry addresses TO di
vert the minds OF the from the true character
o' theif conduct, they were able TO miS,ead but
small portion. The great body of the pcopc saw
that II their representatives elected perform ne.
N.EN s,.,a.. L.. 81.
refuse to perform that duty, and thus allow the
Constitution TO fall, there is no stability in human
governments, anj communities, the most reaceRblc
and most contended with their laws, would be liza
ne, al any moment, 10 be Involved, 10y the Ire ich
cry o. their representatives, in a revolution. The
virtue and the intelligence OF the People were fully
equal 10 the crisis, and in the contest which TO low
ed between those who went for upholdins the Con
stuton AMI those who would pull II down, the ,at.
ter wee beaten nj all points
The movement IN Tennessee, for pps,poning in
definitely the election of u. S. Senlinrs is i'm some
respects analasou, to that made by the s'nineteen
IN Maryland. Though the Loco Focns of rennes
see may not, hs their brethren ia Mary and did,
propose revolution by stopping the wheels of 20.
Ncrhmeh; aad though they have not the power, rs !
IN Maryland they Claimed to have, OF conSumma-
ting such purpose yet We must Judge them by the !
inevitable consequences o! what they attempt, not !
by what they may do IL is the allrmp, and not the
deed which Is To decide the character oi their move
ment. We say then, Ihnt the refusal 81 the Senate
Senators, II persisted in, is revolutionary. The
ate IS now without Representatives in the Senate
OF the Union. IL Is the duty ot the Legislature tn
elect these Representatives there is no duty
more imperauvely demanded by the Constitution
than this Ii they refuse, they fahlsss To their
oaths, which pledged them TO the support Of the
Constitution. II they refuse, they oIe fithl,ss to
the interests Of the STATE which thcy are bound To
watch over. II they refuse, they leave the State
without voice IN that Council where her sove-
resnty only Is represented. Ii they refuse, they |
IN effect Withdraw Tennessee, as State, from the !
Union. But II Is not only because they would |
be fdithesS, and tTeacheTous to the State and |
the Union, should they refuse TO elect Serarors /
to Congress, that we characterize such a move |
meni as revolutionary. Ii such refusal be WITHIN |
their 5utIes as legislators of Tennessee then !
may the legislators Of any other State refuse also.
ANA follows then that there rests with the Legs
ldtutes Of majority Of the 5 aies, the power of /
putting an end To the Union, by refusing TO ei.ct
Senators TO Congress- thus leaving the Senate with.
out Quorum and paralysing he spveTnment-and /
this, too they may do, nor 10y virtue of eny power
EIyen TO them by the constitution, but by snp'y |
refusing TO DO what the constitution commands tn M
10 90 such a doctrine can never prevail with the \
majority OF the people of any State. Ii our gor.
Gus Union IS ever 10 be diSsOlyed,-and We do not
allow ourselves 10 contemplate such catastrophe
as within the range of posNIbi'ity,-t il never be
dissolved by such means as these. Something far
more exciting than mere party triumph must over.
Whein mems minds, before the people vi even
think OF uIsunlon-and then u must he effected by
conVo'sive struggle, which will shake o the foun-
diuons every existing institution, cndangerng even
the Liberties Of the people.
resort, then, To revolutionary mems TO effect n
piTty end, will but Involve IN ruin the party that
adopts them. Tho "nInetecn recusant electors" of
Maryland brought down on their party, 10y their
refusal to perform Their duty, the hot d37leasuTo Of
the people. Time may ha We abated theic wrath,
but the shame vi that n'iarious scheme still cings
To the actors IN u. who feel even the mention OF IL
ds repronch. The thirteen Loco Foco senator
OF Tennessee, who constitute the majority of Ihclt
Senate If they are weak enough 10 act out the pa T
others design them to play, must pect TO es-
cape The laIo OF their brethren in Maryland.
Profit and has Corsi;iuenis.-Wo last week gave |
an extract from the proceedings OF a meeting Of Mr.
Profh''s constituents in Gibson county, in which his
course was condemned in no measured terms. The |
Evansville Journal in speaking OF his late course |
says:
Our representative has repeatedly declared in /.
the halls of Congress that IN pursuing his singular
iy erratic course he was only representing his con
stituenis, and would bc sustained by them. Now
We venture 20 that there cannot he found in
the whole district so persons who have heretofore
voted for Mr. f. who will do so again. or who will not
Join with their brother wings Of Gibson in saying /
that he has utterly failed represent the interest
and wishes Of the people Of this district"
.dsr. Gas.
Tns GESrLEMAS.-rrue gentlemen arc to be |