Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-11-15
POLITICAL.
(Fr0m ne cn,.mtas 0sorsia s,gas; q Moo, y

NJ Berren justification Of his resolution 10 disregard
the will of the people of this State as expressed by
their immediate Representatives at the last session OF
the Legislature, and if may judge IRON ms argu'
nent for the further purpose of conrogerng The cor.
rectness of ongchershed political Opinions once as
strenuousy supported by the honorable Senator as they
now ae by you. He hos the frankness, however, 10
acknowledge that, some OF the important pnoiic
questions engossng the attention of the country, and
which will always mark the division OF parties, has
mind has undergone radical change-a change all I'M
porant for you TO embrace and certainly correct be
cause adopted by your honorable Senator
As ofthe Committee on the State OF the Repub-
lic who aided in framing the preamble and resolutions
sanctioned by the last Legislature, and to which the
address of the honorable Senator is reply; 1t is alto
gether proper for TO examine This address, and The
relation which the honorable Senator bears TO his con-
stuents, arising from the conformity OF bis pre-
sent political doctrines with those now entertained by
an overwhelming ajnrity of the people OF Georgia
II this contrast in the sentiments OF the two be PLAIN
and ncon,roveItble and corrective exist in the or
binary powers of the Constitution, upon Tie Senator
alone must devolve all the responsibility and all the
odlum of UNFOLDING and perpe,uating relation, so
anomalous and utterly opposed to all correct notions
of a Republican Government.
The report and resolutions 10 which the honorable
Senator objects, emanated from men, who II not spe.
ciay selected TO advise him questions OF national
import had vet probably some definite idea of the pc
cunr vie VS. of people with whom they had been IN
daily intercourse whose immediate local agents 'hey
Her: and Of whose sentiments on general politics ana
the Of public men, they could not, if they would
be entirely ignorant In giving TO these sentiments tile
imposing form of legislative sanction, no departure
from established usage incurred because the hlsto
ry Of legislation in Georgia exhibits similar course
Of proceeding at various periods heretofore, by the po.
tca friends OF the honorable Senator, os well as oy
the party whose agents at tie last session arlaghea MS
Senatorial action.
The honorable Senator pleads to the jurisdiction OF
the Legislature, denies its knowledge of the public WILL
in so fur Us regarded his official career, and moreover
Declares that, being an ciicer OF the U. D, he IS ho'
a,nenabie to any Stale tribunal. His argument rs
broud and uncondtona dscarding all regard fol state
authority in whatever form presented, and recognizing
no other guide but lis convictions lam constran
cd following OF the rules OF my political LIE, from
sense duty and the right my opponents have TO the
truth yield every wellfounded Position, even though
unable to overthrow any spccous arguments OF my &C
versary. .
We should all yield 10 the influences and control Of
truth 10 matter what results il directs, whether ="
our success or discontinue. Mr. Berrien il is true ls
one of the constitutional representatives, OF the people
Of Georgia in The Senate Of the United States, and u
is admitted that Georgia has no power 10 abate h,s
term Of service TO limit the tenure Of cfcc which
! the Constitution has prescribed.
! The tenure of six years. doubt, was intended TO
guard against sudden ebuItons of feeling, or sudden
changes of party, that stability and fmness OF purpose
might be stamped upon the American Senate as one OF
its CHEF characteristics. We do not differ as to his con
slit uona right to hold his place, nor do the preamble
and resolutions referred to, attempt to impugn that
rrht representative Government IS al nd,
and The whole system OF restrictions imposed oy 'ne
Constitution, is converted at once into carte blanche,
10 an ,dous, irresponsible olgarchy, II The VIII OF q
Stale is TO be eiied and lis representative considered so
ouch the master of his own conduct TO be wholly IN
dependent Of his mme date constituents, and 10 bia DE-
fiance their clearly expire ssed Will The Hon senator
advances the startling position that his oath creates such
obligations his part TO the other States as consfan
l.. tItnpu hp
with the will of the people who sent HIM: WIN ne
say len that he is their representative any longer than
he represents their interests, and reflects ana ceehos
their opinions So soon he departs from their wen
ascerained wishes, he no long represents, out on tue
contrary misreprrsents them, and cannot clam, Ill
thourh elected by them TO be their representative
The fact Of his being officer oil the United states
Government, does not al all impair or lessen ms oo
ra,cns to his State, for although lie can Only lie
disulaceJ b; his CO Senator's yet he s nevertheless,
ep.esc !utive OF the people Of single State, as IN
that character only lie holds his commission IS u
not then absurd that he should claim independence
of their WILL and urge that his oath imposes upon nun
such obligations to the other States that he cannot
obey tile will Of his constituents, when he can retah
his place upon other ground shadow Of CLAIM than
as the ,epresenatire Of the people OF Georgia: IL theh
he canno, obey the will Of his State, mho dots ne repre-
sent9 ,ehat right has he 10 scat an The Stnaft? Tie
ayuws that lie cannot represent the opinions OF the pro-
pe who sent him there; rhd Me: Is he there loT: ne
moment he declares the Senate that he differs from
his State he is by the spirit Of our institutions, ana the
chec of his appointment, no longer ened 10 nus sea''
and the declaration should be decisive against his long
pr continuance in that dyfor il he does not repre-
sent the State lie is not entitled TO seat for the Pu
nose of ntng any other State, or any other 00ay
of mople and consequently is no representative al
all The truth is, he is representative particularly
of the people Of Georgia; ard under cur form OF
Government, and The object Of lis creation, ne IS
sent to the Senate TO represent their rW and fheir
interests and not his opinion, his obligation OF DUTY
ia other States The contrary doctrine which he man
tains in practice, although he processes very poe
difference 10 the disregarl.1 opinions ofhs constl'o'
ens results at once IN consolidation OF the Sloes'
and practical and efscual destruction Of State sove-
reionv: far if he be an officer of the u. s. Govern
ment ryclusiyely lie had well be elected by some
other tribunal than cur State Legislature, which upon
his uremses und his system can he no other than one
frned Of the people OF the =. STATES IN one er1no
assembly. Strike State lines from your maps as well
a. from, your institutions, since from the posuate OF
The honorable Senator his duties are demanded by Inc
CONSTITUTION 10 a de votion to the U. S. Government
exclusively without any binding respect Tor the OPT
MONS or politics of the people OF Georgia , ,
The erm 7tprcsentGtire cannot properly be nppheo
10 fnuconary whose course of general policy, ano
whose votes are direct opposition to the opinions aho
w ne the people who elected him. The question then
forces itself upon mind, shall The Senator DC great.
rr in power than the people "hom ne PROCESSES ~
Certainly not, unless change our form iot an OIL,
rarcby instituted in lis place, which latter system
was the main object Of glorious Revolution and our
! eoupv glorious Constitution 10 avert
The nouer Of instruction. in its application TO Sena.
tors. should only be exercised upon questions of vital
imnort 10 The confederacy, where The people have
decided opinion, otherwise the tenure OF office pre-
.,;bed for Senator, would be improperly disturbed
the word CosrEDERAcY is of very significant bearing
omr Gnyernmen, is a confederacy Of Stutes each act
inv independently and vested with all powers, except
those specially granted TO the General oy
the individual States. Some hold different oPnion
and among them fear The honorable Senator a.nougm
protesting 10 be State Rights man, and formerly
among the most conspicuous Of the bright gems aho
leading stars of that good old and honest Republican
pa .ly, 10 which he, once 50 s.ronsly adhered;
Having examined summariy The position CT Inc no, no.
,nrai,.v " ia exercise upon important occasions
ask has the will Of the people Of Georgia been clearly
defined in relation 10 the great questions no" ov'o'ng
j y. a.adti .a pnlicQ OF the SeQatQr.