Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-04-20

what say you then, voters !-Who do you
vote for
THE NEXT CONGRESS- QUESTION
A fearful question will have to be met by the
next Congress. The refusal of Georgia, Mis-
souri,, and New Hampshire, TO comply with the
law Of Congress requiring the members of the
House of Representatives to be elected by dis
tricts, will bring the authority Of the National
Government to trial which no patriot can con-
template without serious concern for the issue
If the members returned by these resisting States
admitted to their seats, then will our National
Government be virtually broken up-its laws and
its Constitution will no longer possess any bind
ing force or efliciency--and Notification will
stalk triumphant the length and breadth ofthe
land for if three States may set at naught law
of Congress, SO may one State--and if one law
may be thus set aside, may any and all laws.
1t is impossible, therefore, that our Union could
long exist under such circumstances. and, the
power for usefulness would he destroyed.
What, then, shall be done, Are the friends of
the Union to remain passive, and see this fearful
Crisis approaching without taking any measures
10 arrest the threatened dangerl The opposition
OF the resisting States, it must be admitted, is
most factious and unreasonable. The law against
which they array themselves is of the yery es
sence of our National Constitution, which makes
one branch of Congress, the Senate, representa-
ton OF the States, Sates and the other branch,
the House OF Representatives., representation of
the People, to be chosen by themselves, manifest
ly with the design that the will and wishes of
every portion Of them should be duly reflected.
Here, then, is an important principle, which
cannot be surrendered without serious detriment
TO the character of our institutions. Under the
General Ticket System, the voice of the minori-
~ In every State, however large, is completely
smo'hered. and the representation in both branch.
es OF the National Legislature becomes, to all in
tents and purposes, State representation. This
was certainly not the design of the Con-
stitntlon-and to show the danger which would
attend The introduction Of the principle, we have
only to advert to the effect it would have on our
National Legislation. Suppose the General Tick. !
81 system prevail, is it not easy to foresee that
The great States of New York, Pennsylvania,
and Ohio, with but little extraneous aid, would
De able to rule the Union as they peasedl And
would they not do it! Be that as it might, we
should not like to trust them. Now, however.
when the People speak in independent districts.
md full weight is given to the voice of minor
Ties, such combination is next to impossi-
lie. But there is another weighty considera-
ION which ought not to be overlooked bv
is of the South, in connection with this
ubJect. 1t is tho fearful impulse il wonld
I'VE to Aboiitionism. Although these vile incen-
ianes are not now strong enough in any State
D control it, yet wo see they are sufficiently
o to cause their aid 10 be coured in poltical
ontests by the other parties. Take Ohio. for IN.
lance, where they can now carry three Congress
onal districts, and see what would be the tenn. +
tIon to league with them, under a Genera, Z
ticket System is it not manifest that ,bev ,
ouid hold IN their hands the power to decide ey- {
y contest as they pleased, and thus give charac-
r to the whole representation Of the State? So q
so would it be, TO greater or less extent. in | g
veral other States. Does it not become the I;
'opie of the South, then, to arouse themselves. v
id do what they may to avert this threatened "
nger-so rnomentous to themselves, and The in 81
buttons Of their country
1t will be observed that Mr.. STUART. in his adj T.
ess 10 the voters OF this Congressional district NJ
ary indicates his sense ofthe Importance ofthe OF
estion-and the necessity that it should be met BIT
tn firmness and decision.--What the views of la
opponent, MIR. Taylor, are, we know not, 90: si
think he ought to berequired by his friends to
Ike them known. 1t is practical as well "a a nc
st dangerous and threatening question, which nd