The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-01-15
From the Philadelphia Ledge,
REPUTATION.

This Is becoming technical term for a new thing,
the refusal of community to pay its debts Could
the thing be restrained within just bounds, or in other
words confined TO refusal to pay debts raldulcnty
imposed upon people by stock obbers and specu-
lators, and for which the people had been cheated of
any equivalent, the term would be name of honor.
But if the thing is to be applied ndiferently to all
debts which community cannot pay conveniently,
the term will deservedly be Of reproach and nia-
my. The doctrine is dangerous, and in extreme ca
ses only can its application be justified and while
such may exist in other States, deny their
existence in Pennsylvania.
Among the movements already produced by repu-
diation, we find set of resolutions adopted by a
meeting of citizens in Indiana, which we have alrea-
dy published, some of which proclaim doctrines at
with the fundamental principles of Go
yernment. One of these resolutions declares that if
the legislature shall not grant relief at early pc
riod of the session. the citizens composing that meet
ing would assemble again at the same place on
Christmas day. 'and resolve that their public officers
should resign through force of public opinion" Did
these citizens know what they were doing If they
did, their disposition to obey legitimate author ty
established by themselves is not enough to warrant any
hope of their being long able to maintain Republican
Institutions If they did not advise them to learn
without delay, the business of scf-govenment. A.
such doctrines will probably be proclaimed in this
State we will cndeayor, we have done frequently
heretofore, to expound to our readers the very rd
ments of the political philosophy upon which our
constitution and laws are founded
The people OF Pennsylvania as well as Of every
other State in the Union have rclinquished all right
TO any control over their constitution and laws except
ing through convention or their legislature. Then
constitution is their articles of partnership by whiaf
they have agreed upon the mode in which they woulo
be governed; and while these in force they have
no right to govern themselves in any other manner
And they in force till altered in the very mode
which they prescribe If all the citizens of Pennsy
ania could assemble in one field and unanmousl,
agree to abolish their present constitution and adop
another, they would commit moral wrong becaus,
they would violate their agreement with each other ant
set an example of instability in communities, uitedy
destructive TO free government. They have agreed tc
alter heir constitution only through their legislature
or a convention, each acting in certain modes pre-
scribed in the very instrument evidence OF then
agreement, the constitution Then if the whole peo
pie cannot, in primary, original meeting, alter the
constitution OF laws, surely portion ofthe people hav,
no such power Ii all the partners alter Their
articles Of partnerships excepting in mode prescribed
in the articles portion of the people cannot alte
them at all. The constitution of Pennsylvania and
as take for granted, that of Indiana prescribe III,
qualifications of members of the legislature the mod,
of their election and the duration OF their periods
service and under this provision those elected have
right to protection in the free exercise of their ofcia
functions and are subject only ddrice from their con
slituents. Yet portion of the people of indiana
have resolred, determined that their public unctona
res shall resign, it they do not leglslate in mode
prescribed by this meeting II such doctrines be en-
forced the people of Indiana will have no govern
m Mt but will be disorganzed and resulv ed noa mob
We admit the right of the constituents to adriS
their representative, but deny their right to contro
him during the period of his election and hence
though they have the physical they have not the mo
raj power to threaten with any penalties for dsobe