Ponola [sic] weekly register., 1843-07-08
Communicated
The District system.

session oil the Legislature 10 lay OF the
State into Congressional districts, it be-
hooves the People TO make known their
views through the public press, as there
have been no elections in this State since
the passage Of the Apportionment Bill,
by which its popularity could be tested.
In the apportionment bills which were
adopted by Congress in accordanco>with
the census of 1890, Of 1900, 1910, 1920
and 1880, no attempt was made to re-
gulate the Time, place end manner of
electing members Of Congress. During
all this time, (filty years,) the people of
every State have exercised this power
now assumed by Congress, without abu-
sing that power, and with perfect Salts
faction TO themselves. States which pre-
Gerred the district system, elected their
representatives according to it, without
State prelerring the general ticket
system objecting to it, or complaining Of
its being injurious in its effects. Congress
was never applied TO for remedial meas
.ures IN regard to the States electing
their representatives in different man
ner. Why then should Congress after
fifty years, assume the power to control
the State elections, when no complaint
has ever been manifested by any one Of
the States? Let US examine the ques-
ton then, whether Mississippi should
obey the law passed by Congress or not:
But Before determining that question, it
should be ascertained, first, whether that
law is constitutional or not. If it be
constitutional; if it be a power necessa-
ry to carry into effect power clearly
delegated to Congress, and without the
assumption ofwhich the wheels Of gov
ernment would stop, then the State of
Mississippi will have TO obey it. But as
the government has gone on for fifty
years without the assumption and the
exercise of that power; and as the wheels
Of government would not stop by alb
staining from the assumption and eXer-
else Of the power, it is very clear that
Congress had no right to assume the
power, and that the State Of Mississippi
will be perfectly justiGable in consider
ing that law as anul!ity, and in proceed
ing to the election of representatives to
Congress as it has heretofore done.
The assumption of the power in cues
ton is one which should be considered
by every friend of his country as of
Most dangerous tendency. Concede the,
power ~ Congress, and the ofoctive
franchise is Frustrated, and under the
complete control'of Congress. IF they
have the power TO order the States to
elect by districts, they have the power
to order the elections by general tick
ct; if they have the power to order Ell
ther system, they have the power to SUI
perintend all elections for representa-
tives by agents of their appointment; and
if they have the power TO appoint their
own agents to superintend those elec-
tions, they have the power to choose
those agents when they please, TO define
their duties, TO regulate the manner those
! elections will be held, and the mode Of
making returns. And this without the
| participation Of State authorities. Can
the people of this country conceive the
danger 10 be apprehended from the ex-
ercise of such tremendous powers?-
Would not State rights be annihilated? I?
Would not the freedom We now enjoy Of
voting for whom we please, be controll-
ed by swarm of federal officers super
intending our ballot t-boxes?. And who
among US with the pride Of fraemen,
would tamely submit to the dictation of
! federal officers in the elective franchise?
| We would have TO submit, or bear the
| consequences Of resistance to federal
laws, should we attempt 10 contend a.
| gainst dictation.
/ The assumption OF the power by Con
! gress TO direct the manner ofelecting re
| personalities is dangerous precedent,
and should be resisted now. Resistance
now, will save the country from deplo
rable circumstances hereafter. We
must not be told that the bill passed by
Congress can be altered only after the
census of 1850 shall have been taken.-