The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-24
For the Examiner.
The Kentucky Legisiature.

MEssRs. EDITORS: | have read with some
attention the proceedings of the Legislature Of
our beloved Commonwealth. 1 think 1t the
duty of every citizen to acquaint himself with
the doings Of the so-caled representatives of the
people. II is true that the man who pursues
this course, at present, will often find his cheeks
burning with shame, and his blood boiling with
indignation; but STILL this is better than for
him to remain ignorant Of the various subjects
Of legislation. eternal vigilance is the price
Of liberty" II is incumbent on the people to
scrutlnize the acts of their public servants. l
ask pardon. Msssrs. Editors, for the Iniroduc-
ton Of the phrase public SERVANTS. IL IL is not
obsolete, it surely is, as DR.. johnson would have
said, "ObsolesesRt." Its going into disuse, and
if it does not speedily become altogether I'M
fashionable, no thanks TO the House of Repre-
sentatives at Frankfort. They are not SERVANTS.
To designate them thus they would probably
consider an insult Itwouid deeply wound their
pride. TTanis is their appropriate desigEa-
ton. They were not only born TO rule, but it
IS their prerOgstive to dictate to the people
creatures, who, if they can think and talk ut
all, do not know what 10 think and talk about.
Hence the aforesaid Representatives very kindly
and condescendingly intimate that there is one
subject which is not to be agitated during the
canvass for delegates to the Convention to meet
in October next That subject is slavery. II
is either too sacred or too profane to be touched.
In the language of Mr.. Ewing. "the present
agitation Of the subject Of emancipation 10
premature, and must result in evil and only
evil" would be glad to know from the hon
orable gentleman how long the discussion of
this great question will b. premature. In the
estimation Of some il has been premature from
the settlement Of the State, and our piss legis-
latOrs no doubt think it more premature now
than ever. They would leave IL undisturbed
while the world stands. But | will not be
severe on Mr.. Ewing; for rather suppose from
all see that be has become ashamed of hls
resolutions. and will say no more abOu, them.
IL is possible that his father, formerly Chief
Justice, may have suggested TO him that their
advocacy would add nothing TO the reputation
Of the mover. A most capital suggestion,
truly.
But, Messrs- Editors, the Hon. Mr.. Dohoney
Who is hei What county does he represent
inquire in all sincerity; for / wish to know
had thought myself acquainted with most Of
the prominent men OF Kentucky, but where
Mr.. ID. resides even, cannot tell. And what
is worse, many others in this part OF the State
are as ignorant as l. He may have been kept
in obscurity hltherto-untoward circumstances
lettering the operations Of his genius--but 4
so, II only proves that though flowers may tenn.
Porsrily, they need not permanently "wssts
their sweetness on the deser; air." Where
Mr.. ID. lives there must have been some new
discoveries in rhetoric; for his collection o.
words is unprecedented. His resolution read
thus: "ResOlued, That we, the Representatives
of the people Of Kentucky, are opposed to tn,
abolition or emancipation Of slavery in my
form or shape whatever" Is not this the mos
ridiculous association Of terms that the worls
ever saw7 Emancipation of slavery. VIVA
an idea! Slavery in any form or shape! car
conceive how a slave can be emancipatsd, bu
how slavery can be emancipated this ceponen
saith not, because he knows not. How man,
forms and shapes Of slavery there are we ar
not told; but il may be inferred that they are al
so attractive and beautiful that they should no
be interfered with.
But this is not all. The resolution with Nj
Hughes amendment (which proposed an add
ton Of these words, "except as now provide
for by the Constitution and laws Of the State"
was unanimously adopted. The ninety-thre
who voted gave their votes as Representatives
the people Of Kentucky. Did they truly repr'
sent the people Of the Statei II so, the peopl
are in favor Of the indefinite continuance {
8 Slavery. Ifso, the people do not approve {
Mr.. Clay's sentiments thosgh they have eve
{ delighted to honor him. The unaIlimity Of III
vote seems to indicate that, in the opinion
: the Representatives, every body in Kentucky
pro-slavery. repel this as an outrsgsoI
SANDER. But, Messrs. Editors, there Is I'm apo
4 ogy for our Representative. They are
: the habit Of granting Disorees that II has pc
8 hsps become easy.for them to divorce themselv
6 from truth and common sense. deny tn
$ they could AZ Representatives. Of tie people, pa
the resolution consistently with trath, and TIT
{ certainly were bsreft Of common sense or tn
d would have corrected Mr.. Dohoney's phraseol
y az. The present House Of Representatives b
- ~ been often excslled in talent and PATRIOTS