Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-01-23
ELECTION OF A SENATOR.


ELECTION OF A SENATOR.
The Democratic papers Of the State seem pe-
nerally to favour the idea that the Senate ouubt
not to go into the election Of United States Sc
nator at the present session of the General As
sembly, now that il is ascer,ained that the Wings
have sufficient majority in the House of Dele
gates to carry the election. They are disposed
to regard it as monstrous violation Of Republic
can principle, that State so Democratic as Vir-
GINA has shown herself to be in the late Presi.
DENTAL election, should be represented by Wing.
This, we freely admit, is casually which can
never be palaiable to successful and triumphant
party but 1t is one viii h is incident TO orr sys-
TEN OF government. II has often occurred, and
VIII continue to occur, as long as the government
Stands. Nor Can it be avoided, il we wish TO
preserve any thing conservative in our insiitu-
lions. Those who quarrel with it, therefore.
quarrel with our Republican, system ITSELF Al
though Its theory is to give full force to the popu-
lar Will when maturely formed and deliberately
expressed, and while il is constructed to do SO as
well as the wisdom ofman con,rive it, neverthe-
less 1t is SO guarded (and wisely loo,) as not to
yield too suddenly to every Huctua,ion of opinion
or of parties. No matter, then, what may b.. thu,
temporary Inconvenience or embarrassments of
lis workinss-for they can only be temporary,
where any real good Is to be attaned-i, is the
duty OF all true Republicans patiently TO submit
To them.
We are aware that III, sc views may draw
down upon us the ire of the deuagogue. I he
'nlallibiity Of the dear people, in all hnos per-
'ain'ng to politics and government, is a theme
upon which he loves to expataie. 1t is, in truth,
nus whole stock In trade ;--ihe incense which he
perpetualiy offers TO the nostrs of those whom
he seeks To delude.-ro argue, therefore, tina; the
people may sometimes IS calculated TO provoke
his froihiest Pronunciation and most rrnelic rage,
because it may bring into dsrepute his vocation,
and break up the very groundwork of all the con-
sIderation and consequence which he ever hopes
TO attain. IL is still the truth, however--and a
truth which is declared by the whole STRUCTURE of
our Republican system. But we do not know
that genuine courage requires we should shoulder
the entire responsibility of its avowal. Our De-
mocratlc friends themselves expressed the senti-
ment, without reserve, in 1910, when The people
turned out MIR. Van Buren, from the Presidency,
and elected Gen. Harrison and now, we pre-
sumo, upon the same principle, they will as free
~ say The people have got right again
But, not to disress.-Adni,.ing that there is
some hardship in the OF the Virginia Demo-
cracy, does that justify the course which their
presses are urging the Senate TO pursue! Let us
consider it Tor moment. What are they asked
to do! 10 refuse to go into election. And
why! Because the Wings will have the power
to elect the Senator. Is this Legitimate reasona
1t so, where is the authority for il! The Consli-
tuition imposes it as an imperative duty upon them
TO elect Senator, and that Constitution each
member individually has sworn TO support
What right, then, has any member 10 say now he
Will not obey, at least make honest effort to
obey, this Injunction! None, certainly. He is
not responsible for the result he is only respon-
sible for the discharge Of his own duty. If the
peopie have returned a majority of members who
do not fairly reflect their will in regard the e.
lection of Senator, they are to blane-not he
He cannot look farther than TO his own act; and
to yield to the facious appeals which are made TO
him by the Democratic presses of the State,
would be criminally TO eXat his party obligations
above those he owes to the Constitution.
So much as to the duty of Sena,ors.--A word
or two here in regard 10 the revolutionary and dis
organizing character of the act
1t is clear that it would be inconsistent both
with the letter and The spirit of the Constitution,
and must radically change, if not ultimately de-
siroy it. If the Senate can now refuse to 90 into
an election, for the reason assigned, any other,
SO it may next year, and for any length Of time it
pleases. Thus essential provision of the Fee
deral Constitution would be set at naught, and
the Government itself, by combination of fac
lions in the different State Legislatures be liable
TO be broken up; for what may be done by one
party, al its discretion, in State, may be done,
with equal propriety, by another party, in any and
every other State.
Is it not palpable, then, that he cannot be true
friend of our free and happy institutions who ad-
Vocates remedy so extreme and so lawIess, for
an evil which, 10 say the most of it, can be but
temporary in its eheclsl Grant That triumphant
party may be delayed for awhile in the consum-
nation OF its objecls--how trivial and insignif-
cant must such circumstances appear when com
pared with deIberatr and deadly wound inflict-
ed upon the Constitution The one may be rec
tified by time but where, alas. is the medical
men, that has ever been found for the other :
| We sincerely hope, therefore, that the People
Of Virginia will ponder long before they give
their sanction 20 doctrine and precedent like
tlis.-They should, moreover, bear in mind, that
the reason which is urged for it is by no means
new in our experience as nation. 1t has often
happened within the last twelve or fifteen years,
that Wing States have, for long periods, been re-
presented in the Senate by Locofocos-and some